View Full Version : BUILDING your HT Aliens Marines - HELP?
Wor-Gar
07-07-2006, 01:29 PM
Just got the Marines and I am in the process of sorting out what to do first. The directions advise you to put the head on last, after armor has been placed. As I have a custom head, I'm a little worried about forcing the head into place -- either snapping the internal peg or cracking the armor. It would seem simpler to put the head on first while constructing the body.
Has anyone tried putting the head on first when assembling the body? Does this cause any headaches later?
Rugby1970
07-07-2006, 02:19 PM
I accidently put the head on the body first and had a lot of trouble getting the armor on around it. The chest plate, etc, on Reese and Apone is really tedious to get on.
I ended up removing the head in order to get the armor on right.
Good luck! They are a pain but well worth the effort. These are the figures that turned me into a real Hot Toys fan.
abake
07-07-2006, 02:48 PM
I actually don't remember how I put them together, but I should think it is easier to put the heads on first and then work the armour around carefully. The heads are tough to put on, that is for sure, and you do have to excercise a certain amount of force on the pieces for them to pop in, no mean task having all the fragile armour on already...
Putting the preds together, I did one fitting the head last and one fitting the head first, and it was easier the latter way.
I actually don't remember how I put them together, but I should think it is easier to put the heads on first and then work the armour around carefully. The heads are tough to put on, that is for sure, and you do have to excercise a certain amount of force on the pieces for them to pop in, no mean task having all the fragile armour on already...
Putting the preds together, I did one fitting the head last and one fitting the head first, and it was easier the latter way.
Thanks abake! I think I'm in trouble either way... :google
rockit13
07-07-2006, 03:27 PM
Can aynone post pictures of their Vasquez fully amoured? i'm having a hard time figuring out where everything goes casue all my pads fell off when i took it out of the packaging. plus there is a very long strap in the back and i have no clue where it goes. thanks for the help.
Wor-Gar
07-07-2006, 03:27 PM
OK, so I have one vote for head-on first, and one vote for head-on last.
:confused:
I vote for head on last.
My logic: you can probably undress him and try the other way (or some state of undress) easier than prying his head off again.
I can't belive it, I just built Vasquez and I'm a complete idiot when it comes to this stuff. Her harness is by far the most intricate, has cross straps, pads, attachments, smart gun attachments, wires. etc. As far as her head I would connect it after you have her body snapped together and have her outfitted.
Couple quick points, tuck her shirt into her pants first and make sure you remember to remove her holster then weave her bvc belt halfway through her pant loops, then attach her holster and continue pushing it through. I recommend using a plastic fork and bending back one of the prongs and using that but any pointed object will do.
Her boots have pegs in them and it took me quite a while to get her legs to snap in, make sure you wrap her pant bottoms/cuffs around her "ankles" or tape them before slipping the legs into the boot pegs.
The harness, it looks like hell with straps but it's not that complicated. I recommend removing the fewest straps possible. I loosened only one hip strap and pulled the harness down over her head with her arms raised. Another short cut which might work even better is to remove her arms from the shoulder ball joints and maybe try to just slide the whole harness over her head, don't know if that will work but It looked to me like it might.
Anyway don't think the other guys will be half as hard. I'll do Hicks next and wait for Wor-Gar to advise on how to attach the FL Apone head with the post and all.
Also the Vasquez head isn't bad at all, I was relieved they painted her hair dark brown but if you got extra bucks you may want to have it repainted...
Finally don't try to fuss with the headlamp, it is not meant to swivel. When I finished there was some other stuff in the box guess I'll figure it out later...
Seaward
07-07-2006, 09:19 PM
Can aynone post pictures of their Vasquez fully amoured? i'm having a hard time figuring out where everything goes casue all my pads fell off when i took it out of the packaging. plus there is a very long strap in the back and i have no clue where it goes. thanks for the help.
Some of the black pads with the velcro attachments were loose in the box once I thought I had her all put together too. I removed the chest armor piece, and the larger black plastic pieces have strips for the velcro to attach to on them. Two of the pads attach on the thick plastic straps that run up her back over her shoulders, and two belong on the ones that run along the side, under her arms.
Hope this helps!
I haven't attached either the hicks head or the apone head yet, waiting for some frontline customs to arrive!
NSFolsom
07-07-2006, 09:20 PM
I can't belive it, I just built Vasquez and I'm a complete idiot when it comes to this stuff. Her harness is by far the most intricate, has cross straps, pads, attachments, smart gun attachments, wires. etc. As far as her head I would connect it after you have her body snapped together and have her outfitted.
Couple quick points, tuck her shirt into her pants first and make sure you remember to remove her holster then weave her bvc belt halfway through her pant loops, then attach her holster and continue pushing it through. I recommend using a plastic fork and bending back one of the prongs and using that but any pointed object will do.
Her boots have pegs in them and it took me quite a while to get her legs to snap in, make sure you wrap her pant bottoms/cuffs around her "ankles" or tape them before slipping the legs into the boot pegs.
The harness, it looks like hell with straps but it's not that complicated. I recommend removing the fewest straps possible. I loosened only one hip strap and pulled the harness down over her head with her arms raised. Another short cut which might work even better is to remove her arms from the shoulder ball joints and maybe try to just slide the whole harness over her head, don't know if that will work but It looked to me like it might.
Anyway don't think the other guys will be half as hard. I'll do Hicks next and wait for Wor-Gar to advise on how to attach the FL Apone head with the post and all.
Also the Vasquez head isn't bad at all, I was relieved they painted her hair dark brown but if you got extra bucks you may want to have it repainted...
Finally don't try to fuss with the headlamp, it is not meant to swivel. When I finished there was some other stuff in the box guess I'll figure it out later...
Good thread and good post! I thank you because Apone and Vasquez will be in my hands on Monday and Hicks sometime later in the week and I will need the help I'm sure.
I had enough of a semi-difficult time with "HALO" (I use quotations because he really didn't have the right gear for a real HALO jump, no oxygen mask, etc...) "HALO" Rambo looks great now, however.
I think my favorite Hot Toys figure that I own right now is Richard Crenna as Col. Samuel Trautman. I managed to get his raincoat over his uniform and he's got his arms behind his back. He looks like he's contemplating something very dire. Very cool.
bluesparrow
07-08-2006, 01:13 AM
I was a bit thrown on how to assemble them myself, but I muddled through alright I think. I put the head on before the armor. I think the leftover shoulder pads are just extra. Couple pics of finished figs, if I have anything in the wrong place please tell me.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/bluemanchurian/vasq.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/bluemanchurian/hicks.jpg
Great shots bp! Awesome. In fact that may be the best shot I have ever seen of Vasquez! I think I'm gonna stay with the Hicks head for the time being, he looks enough like Michael Biehn to hold me..
CARTER BURKE
...he's just a grunt!
(off Hicks)
No offense...
HICKS
(to Burke, smoldering)
None taken.
side note; Vasquez' smart gun wires apparently plug into the left side of her chest plate. Mine had loose wires ends but I found the plug. Get this, they are real copper wires with rubber casing, will try to fix this too...
Here's a shot of Vasquez - new angle
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/pjam07/DSC01728.jpg
abake
07-08-2006, 05:54 PM
After seeing all these pics I'm starting to get the urge to buy Vasquez...
After seeing all these pics I'm starting to get the urge to buy Vasquez...
VASQUEZ SAYS
You know you need me, man. :lol
Honestly, her smart gun is nuts, it has springs in the levered arms and they move just like in the movie.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/pjam07/DSC01730.jpg
melvinpelayo
07-08-2006, 06:14 PM
Good post! I thank you because Apone and Vasquez will be in my hands on Monday and Hicks sometime later in the week and I will need the help I'm sure.
I had enough of a semi-difficult time with "HALO" (I use quotations because he really didn't have the right gear for a real HALO jump, no oxygen mask, etc...) "HALO" Rambo looks great now, however.
I think my favorite Hot Toys figure that I own right now is Richard Crenna as Col. Samuel Trautman. I managed to get his raincoat over his uniform and he's got his arms behind his back. He looks like he's contemplating something very dire. Very cool.
Rambo HALO - How did you put on his parachute bag etc?
Its really hard!
Wor-Gar
07-09-2006, 02:24 PM
Awesome pix -- can't wait to assemble Vasquez!
The detail in the weapons is crazy -- the clips remove, pump-action, etc. I'm still amazing that those little tiny belt clips actually work.
So, after conferring with several friends who have the marines (thanks Hurricane), I have learned that its best to put the head on last as the directions say. Vasquez is the exception as she has a different neck post.
Just heat the head a bit with a hair dryer before popping it on.
I will try to assemble Apone tomorrow.
Oh yeah, one last thing, in case anybody cares -- or is a real stickler like me -- the knife is on the wrong side on Hicks.
Customikey
07-09-2006, 06:47 PM
Here's my paint-ups of FT Apone and Hicks for Seaward!
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/619/aponehicks1oh.jpg
Awesome pix -- can't wait to assemble Vasquez!
The detail in the weapons is crazy -- the clips remove, pump-action, etc. I'm still amazing that those little tiny belt clips actually work.
So, after conferring with several friends who have the marines (thanks Hurricane), I have learned that its best to put the head on last as the directions say. Vasquez is the exception as she has a different neck post.
Just heat the head a bit with a hair dryer before popping it on.
I will try to assemble Apone tomorrow.
Oh yeah, one last thing, in case anybody cares -- or is a real stickler like me -- the knife is on the wrong side on Hicks.
Let me know how you mount the FL Apone head, I'm almost ready for that, all armor on, just small stuff left. UPS messed up my FRI delivery Of Hicks so I'll get him tomorrow which gave me some time with Apone. I used a brown dry erase marker to recolor his hands to match the FL Mikey repaint and it came out pretty good but I don't recommend it. Paint always best...
btw, if anyone has a scheduled UPS delivery on a certain date and it doesn't get delivered you on that day you may be able to get a shipping refund. UPS is refunding my shipment through Adam @ DS who will then credit my card.
Wor-Gar
07-09-2006, 11:17 PM
btw, if anyone has a scheduled UPS delivery on a certain date and it doesn't get delivered you on that day you may be able to get a shipping refund. UPS is refunding my shipment through Adam @ DS who will then credit my card.
My UPS delivery was set for July 5th and then rescheduled to July 6th -- does that count?
My UPS delivery was set for July 5th and then rescheduled to July 6th -- does that count?
Call them, that's what I did, I was actually a bit pissed because the tracking read Friday delivery all day and wasn't changed till after 6pm.
HELP!
My FL Apone head has no opening, it is closed and won't fit onto the neck ball joint. Any suggestions on how to dremmel or cut out/hollow out the resin?
DarkArtist81
07-12-2006, 04:19 AM
Wow! Nice repaint Mikey.... Yeah, you are right about the hair... I think I'm gonna have to fix my repaint as well...
Just got my Hicks in yesterday. Not too hard to put together, except for the torso.... I seriously spent almost an hour just on that piece. But he's done and I could not be happier. It's probably one of my favorite figures and the detail is second to none. I am in awe....
http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/125/3/5/O/125354092O985432509.jpg
http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/125/3/5/O/125354113O740642078.jpg
Darth Kustomizer
08-28-2006, 09:49 AM
I just broke my Apone out of the box last night. They have been sitting in my closet for a number of months now as I just have not had the time to build them. It will be interesting to see how well this figure goes together tonight!
Ironman1188
08-28-2006, 05:03 PM
Just got my heads back from the great DarkArtist81. Now, has anyone else had an extremely difficult time getting the Frontline heads onto the bodies? And does anyone else's Hicks neck seem too wide for the neck hole?
Just got my heads back from the great DarkArtist81. Now, has anyone else had an extremely difficult time getting the Frontline heads onto the bodies? And does anyone else's Hicks neck seem too wide for the neck hole?
I had to carve out a wider and deeper section from the FL head neck (inner circled area) to get it to fit right, then taped over the HT neck ball joint with a strip of adhesive tape and it worked out great.
DarkArtist81
08-28-2006, 05:49 PM
It takes a little work, but it can be done. I DO hope you liked them IronMan.... They were the first ones completed and I know I could have done a little better on Hicks. But Apone I was very very proud of. I hope you have no problems getting them on.
I clearcoated the Hell out of them, so I hope no scratching occurs. Those bodies are very "edgy" :monkey2
why does HT make these things so hard to put together?
galactiboy
09-11-2006, 01:22 PM
Hi all I just got my Hicks from DA and I have a quick question. Is there any trick to putting his helmet on... its seems like a really tight fit and I don't want to damage anything :monkey3
EDIT Okay scratch that question... just needed to be a bit more forceful :monkey3
Ironman1188
09-11-2006, 02:18 PM
The helmet fits fine...I just can't get the heads on. I'm too afraid of breaking the post and becoming totally screwed. :monkey2
The helmet fits fine...I just can't get the heads on. I'm too afraid of breaking the post and becoming totally screwed. :monkey2
Microwave a half cup of water for 2 minutes or simply run hot water in your sink, place the head in the heated water for 1 - 2 minutes, remove, dry and pop it on the HT post... that's what I did with my HT Hicks head... should work for your guy too...
Ironman1188
09-11-2006, 02:49 PM
Microwave a half cup of water for 2 minutes or simply run hot water in your sink, place the head in the heated water for 1 - 2 minutes, remove, dry and pop it on the HT post... that's what I did with my HT Hicks head... should work for your guy too...
My problem is that I'm using the Frontline custom replacement heads.
My problem is that I'm using the Frontline custom replacement heads.
See my post #24, I had to fit a FL Apone head onto his HT body by carving a wider, deeper hole from the FL neck post, wrapped the HT neck ball joint with tape and it fit great, needs attention and futzing, but it'll work...
Wor-Gar
11-07-2006, 12:12 PM
OK, I just built VASQUEZ last night. Urgh! What a nightmare. So, any questions?
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/Wor-Gar/VasquezAponepost1.jpg
Someone asked (many moons ago) what the long black strap was on the back of the harness. I have no idea either. I thought maybe it wrapped around the harness 'cross' in the back to help pull it down so that's what I used it for.
The smart-gun is great -- but a little fragile. I snapped the connector plate twice trying to "plug it in". Superglue seems to be holding it fine now, but it certainly can't hold the weight of the gun without Vasqy holding the gun. And her grip is so...well, I know that gun is going to slip from her hands in time. Vasquez is definitely taking a shelf-dive sometime in the future.
I really wanted Drake...up until I put Vasquez together. Now I think one "smart"-gun in my collection is enough.
dekadentdave
11-07-2006, 01:08 PM
Wor-Gar, is that a FL Apone head or does the HT one come with the stogie?
Mookeylama
11-07-2006, 02:06 PM
that's a Frontline Apone head.
Wor-Gar
11-07-2006, 03:46 PM
Its the Frontline head, not the HT Apone, which looks more like a soft Will Smith.
dekadentdave
11-07-2006, 04:52 PM
Where can I get the Frontline heads?
btw - Wor-Gar, looks like you need to paint Apone's hands. They're just a little too white.
Wor-Gar
11-07-2006, 09:07 PM
Where can I get the Frontline heads?
btw - Wor-Gar, looks like you need to paint Apone's hands. They're just a little too white.
Yeah, I gotta paint the hands still.
Google Frontline/Hero heads. The PDF order form has all the heads available from Lonnie.
screamingmetal
11-07-2006, 09:31 PM
Here's a direct link to their website:
http://www.h2creative.com/
Wor-Gar
11-14-2006, 06:35 PM
message to Les: have you repainted Vasquez head yet? gotta a pic?
message to Les: have you repainted Vasquez head yet? gotta a pic?
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/angremien/Almac003a.jpg
Wor-Gar
11-14-2006, 06:56 PM
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/angremien/Almac003a.jpg
WOW! That Vasquez looks like... Vasquez. As it should. Nicely done, Les.
Thanks, P.
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