Short form - I again spent the last couple of weeks assembling a bunch of IWM minis, most of which are quite recent - last couple of years, or so. In this case it's mainly going to Hastati Sentinels, so it was an excuse to buy these newer minis. Hit some good things & some bad things as I went, thought
a) might be interesting for the sculptors, and IWM folks, who visit here to see some feedback, and
b) opportunity for others to chip in with their experience/opinion.
Transparency - while I've been building Ral Partha, then IWM, minis for decades, I consider myself 'regular' skill, not veteran or elite. I'm using superglue gel with moisture assist, comfortable with using blu-tak to support drying joints. I will pin if I feel I have to, prefer not. YMMV.
Also, my thanks to the good people of IWM, and all the sculptors and artists, that have worked to make it possible to buy BattleTech minis despite our less-than-stellar market size. Without you all, we'd not have anything to complain about ... O:-) Seriously, every interaction I've had with IWM has been more than I expected. They're good people.
That said ... I felt it worth sharing my thoughts.
Lament
Oh boy, this one is the turkey of the bunch. It's accurate to the artwork, which is probably why it's a pain. Bad points: The feet are separate from the totally unposable legs. And there's just a flat connection - no post or dome. The arms are virtually unposable, and the little dome bump on the arms is inadequate. Details are good and clean, but you're forced into the pose thanks to those legs.
8 parts - 2 feet, 2 legs, waist, torso, 2 arms.
Uraeus
A good-un! Capable of being posed, good connections, good details. Recommended for your Blessed Order or RotS needs! Feet are particularly well done, and I usually hate separate feet. 11 parts, unless like mine you're missing the vibroblade in the blister - 2 feet, 2 legs, waist, torso, 2-part right arm, left arm, bombast laser, and vibroblade.
Vulture Mk III
Still under assembly. Legs will have to be pinned to tiny waist, a downside. Feet went on really well, and good poseability options. Massive torso, with massive side torso missile banks - waiting to see it in place. Not entirely sure why the side torsos had to be separate, because they and the CT could have been done as a single piece. Depending on how disproportionate the torsos look on the legs, could be good. 2 feet, 2 legs, waist, 3 torso pieces, chin gun, 2 arms.
Phoenix Hawk IIC 8
Liking this one, even if it's a bit big. Good contact points; the backpacks had me confused at first, but they went on easily. Leg & torso, leg (for running or walking pose), torso, 2 arms, 4 jetpacks
Ryoken II
Weird mini, but goes together well. May be a little small, but nice details. Strangest legs since the Blood Kite! I modded for the UAC-10 version, so didn't have to worry about fiddly autocannon barrels. 2 legs, waist, torso, 2 arms, 2 LRM launchers, 4 squitty gunbarrels.
Triskelon
Not a lot of posability options, but didn't matter. The 3 legs go on well, done one at a time; they and the arms have great contact points. 3 legs, one body, 2 arms, and you're in tripedal motion! Could have used a little more detail, but still happy with it.
Jade Hawk
I love this! Very easy to assemble, despite looking potentially fussy. One piece feet/legs/torso, body, backpack, 2 arms, 2 wings. Went together like a dream. Great details, too, and looking forward to painting it! The only quibble is that the arms aren't greatly poseable, due to the backpack & wings; it would be a lot of work to replicate the arms-wide stance of the TRO art.
