This is going to be large pic intensive so I'm going to break it up between a couple posts and possibly use some spoiler tags.
First off, the base.
As soon as I set it in place I could tell most of it was hollow. Most concerning was how thin the wall seems on the top most ledge where the left foot is planted.
Simply running my finger across that block I can tell that this casting is
thin. There is only a key for the right foot, and I was worried that if it needed to be forced down with any pressure, that when the left one hit the surface it might crack it.
Fortunately it went in smooth and flush with no real effort. The body is heavy though and definitely required both hands to steady it.
Based on what I've learned about the wing key/holes, I have serious questions about just how substantial that sole foot peg really is, and if it is going to hold up over time once the wings are attached and exerting various pressures of their own. I no longer take it for granted that they tweaked this for even weight distribution. If they didn't, over the long haul that means leaning or worse.
For the time being it seems OK.
So I got the figure itself in place. No breakage, but I did find some chipping on the wrist wraps. Disappointing because they are so well sculpted and painted that I hate to miss any of it. In reality, while it is apparent enough that a few people here (not necc. in this thread) would raise it as an issue with their dealer, in my eyes it's minor enough, and a relative simple touch up, that it just isn't worth the effort to complain about. After a few dabs of paint, I doubt I would even think about it six months from now.
Otherwise, everything looked good.
Turned out I made the same mistake as the fellow in the live unboxing vid. The cabinet the base is on is 30" high and the ceiling height is 92". With the figure in place, there's no way to get the large staff/spear in his hand. It will need to be threaded through there prior to seating him. While two people would probably be a good idea (one to guide the loose spear so that it doesn't scratch anything while the other person concentrates on getting the foot peg seated, I think anyone can get it done alone as long as they take their time.
Flying solo, I would first thread it through the hand and while it is on the floor, or the the prep area, and then wrap parts of the staff in something like bubble wrap, before attempting to lift it onto the base. That way you can still have both hands on the fig itself which is heavy enough and needs some TLC to guide it into the hole properly.
I'm not gong to bother doing it now, because no matter what I decided to do with this, it's getting boxed backed up tomorrow anyway.
