Hornet Heads

[Fenlander]

Well, the Hornet heads arrived today fro Historex, very quick service. Often wondered why so many people raved about these but now I see them in the flesh, so to speak, I can see why, they are stunning.


Question is, how do you use them. They appear to have extra long necks but I am thinking that converting a figure to take one of these will involve drilling out the neck of the figure and, possibly, cutting down the neck on the head.


Anyone worked with them or seen a good tutorial anywhere? I am not looking at how to paint them. I know I will never get that right, it's more on how to fit them.

 

[Steve Brodie]

I just cut down the neck to fit into the shirt / body recess until it looks right, then mount the head on a straightened paper clip in a cork stopper top (can buy a pack of 20 cork stoppers from Wilko's) OR use a cocktail stick and paint away.

 

[Fenlander]

Cheers Steve. I have found a YouTube video that was distributed by Historex that shows how to mount the heads. Looks like plenty of oppertunity to ruin figures lol The heads are stunning though, it is my first use of these and I am really impressed.

 

[Fenlander]

Had a few minutes to have a look at the Hornet Heads up close today, and compare them to the Tamiya heads that come with the figures.


This is the set I got






Nice variety of facial expressions and the all important helmet camo net, apart from one.....






These are the Tamia heads






I don't think they are that bad, probably the best Tamiya heads I personally have seen.


However, when you put them side by side, you can see that tha Tamiya heads are fractionally smaller. Not by a great amount and you wouldn't notice unless a mixture of Tamiya an Hornet were used together.






All well and good, I think the extra cost of the Hornet heads are just about justified as the helmets are much better. Doesn't alter the fact that I am a rubbish figure painter though. Really must try my hardest with these.

 

[spanner570]

Just my humble opinion Graham, but the Hornet heads themselves look a bit stretched and lacking in facial features. Whereas the Tamiya ones look better proportioned with nice cheek definitions - and they are smiling!


I'm not trying to be flippant or owt, but the Hornet one second left looks like he's smelt something nasty or is chewing a lemon.....Mind you, this could all be nonsense and my 'puter screen is distorting them.


Either way I'm sure they will look good painted up...Just my first impressions really.

 

[dubster72]

I think I prefer the Tamiya heads... I'm sure I know the middle feller!


Maybe it's those long necks on the Hornet ones - they're reminding me of a scene in The Thing

 

[Fenlander]

Ahhhhh, but the long necks are deliberate to give enough material to trim and shape to fit the neck hole. They do get cut down to a natural length depending how you want to pose them.


Well done Ron, just checked the description and it says " No 4: smelling something nasty while eating a lime". No it doesn't, I just made that up......."


I am not sure that they would be happy given the task of escorting a Churchill Crocodile but I agree, the Tamiya heads are very nice.

 

[Robert1968]

I think I prefer the Tamiya heads... I'm sure I know the middle feller!
Maybe it's those long necks on the Hornet ones - they're reminding me of a scene in The Thing View attachment 142791

Then the head turned into a spider if I remember rightly o_Oo_O

 

[Robert1968]

Ahhhhh, but the long necks are deliberate to give enough material to trim and shape to fit the neck hole. They do get cut down to a natural length depending how you want to pose them.
Well done Ron, just checked the description and it says " No 4: smelling something nasty while eating a lime". No it doesn't, I just made that up......."


I am not sure that they would be happy given the task of escorting a Churchill Crocodile but I agree, the Tamiya heads are very nice.

The Tamiya heads I think I have that' set ( still awaiting painting ) I do like the Tamiya moulds but I have never tried a Hornet Head


( master box figs and heads look very detailed too

 

[Dustbin]

When the Hornet head sets first appeared on the market there wasnt many decent plastic heads around so they were like manna from heaven 9_9 Better moulding processes have allowed the plastic manufacturers to catch up somewhat with the resin producers and so we now have a far greater choice :D


Paul