Bending legs on horses (1 Viewer)

[nysoldiers]

I have been collecting Little Legion figures for many years and have seen quite a few horses bending to one side. This is especially evident with mounts that have the two front legs fixed to the base and rear legs up off the ground.
Even some of the horses with three and four legs fixed to the base have been bending to one side. I have tried to straigten the legs but it is only a matter of time before they bend again and ruin the piece.
Has anyone else experienced this and is there a "fix" for this problem. I have not contacted the dealer or manufacturer yet.

 

[Deitz]

This has happened to me on a few figures. You can straighten the legs with no ill effect. Try to center the rider, it works for quite awhile.
Although I have never had one go all the way over.
Brian

 

[glossman]

I have not noticed this with Little Legion. There was a previous discussion on this issue of bending/slanting legs of horses for another manufacturer some time back.

Perhaps I am not gentle enough, but whenever I bend back an angulated long part eg: rifle barrel, lance and the like, there is focal paint loss.

Raymond.

 

[GICOP]

I haven't noticed this with my LL horses or camels but some of my early sets of Trophy, where the horse was rearing on its back legs, could tend to lean forward due to the weight of horse and rider. I discussed this with Len a while ago and this was the reason Trophy introduced extra foliage to the base to support any of the animals legs that had " left the ground" whilst galloping

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

I don't have any LL figures - but haven't noticed this phenomenon with any of my mounted figures - and I have over one hundred of these. A few of them have these supports already built in, and I've always assumed it was to add extra support.

Could it be that the mix of metal used by LL for their castings, has a higher proportion of soft metal in the mix? Not a very scientific hypothesis I know, but if it is happening to a few collectors - then maybe it's one to think about perhaps?

A possible long term solution - might be to do ( as Martyn mentioned), and as Trophy did - and add in a support to the unsupported leg(s) - and disguise it as foliage/tree stump etc, and repaint the base carefully. You could drill and (long) pin the unsupported leg to the base - then build up the chosen support design around the pin with one of the putty mixes. (e.g milliput).

Just an idea to consider , johnnybach

 

[nysoldiers]

Thanks for the input......
I also had the same bending issues on early Trophy cavalry as mentioned below.
Besides the LL cavalry I have seen this phenomenon on ATS. I have never seen this on K&C cavalry but their legs are thicker.
I for one don't mind a more robust figure or weapon to avoid bending or breakage. Takes away from the realism a little but that's the "toy" element for me.

 

[HAWKEYE]

i have been collecting little legion figures for many years and have seen quite a few horses bending to one side. This is especially evident with mounts that have the two front legs fixed to the base and rear legs up off the ground.
Even some of the horses with three and four legs fixed to the base have been bending to one side. I have tried to straigten the legs but it is only a matter of time before they bend again and ruin the piece.
Has anyone else experienced this and is there a "fix" for this problem. I have not contacted the dealer or manufacturer yet.

frontline glossy have had this problem in a big way. What i have done is very very slowly striaghten the horse by holding the figure and horse at the same time from the top. I have had them displayed for years and every now and then have to straighten them

 

[maddadicus]

When I was collecting Trophy some years ago, I had leaning problems with most of the horse /riders rearing on 2 legs. To fix it I used a thin support rod between stand and horse belly to hold up the figure. I did not glue in place , but allowed the weight of the horse/rider to maintain pressure on the support to hold it in place..Michael

 

[johnnybach]

I just knew I had seen a picture of a Courtenay somewhere - which I think addresses the problem............Have a look at this beauty then..... just bung a bit of dowel rod underneath him.................Sorted?????? jb^&grin

 

[beating retreat]

If I think a horse has a week spot on its legs, for instance the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry I did for Konrad, I cut the horses legs at the knee then drill holes through the the centre of the leg still attached to the body, do the same with the leg part detached at the knee, then insert a steel pin through the 2 pieces and glue with epoxy adhesive. this gives strength to the leg without seeing the supports. Of course this is the bonus of making and painting youself.

I think this is how the ST Petersburg figures are done, but of course they put thesteel pin in at the casting stage.

Regards John

 

[theBaron]

It's definitely the alloy used for the horses, it's too soft to provide a rigid casting that can support the weight of the horse's body and the rider.

I've had the same thing with some kit figures, too. I have a mounted figure from MiniWelt, and over time, the horse's legs bow. The remedies mentioned above all apply--bend the legs back into shape, or add a pin for strength.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Martin Tabony]

Has anyone mentioned this to LL if it happens over time they might not realise there's a problem! I must say I prefer to build in suports rather than have legs in mid air.

Martin

 

[GICOP]

Has anyone mentioned this to LL if it happens over time they might not realise there's a problem! I must say I prefer to build in suports rather than have legs in mid air.

Martin

I will be seeing Mike on Saturday and will tell him about it but as I said before my LL horse and Camel sets have been no problem

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

Maybe a picture or two of the bendy ones might also help them identify which items are causing problems - and help LL rectify future releases??

As has been mentioned - it's relatively easy to rectify - once you know where the problem lies - just a thought. jb

 

[nysoldiers]

I will try to send photos.....
I have at least six horses with this problem, mostly the ones with the two front legs attached and the rear two in the air. I appreciate letting Mike know at the show. This also happens with ATS horses in the same pose.

 

[GICOP]

I will try to send photos.....
I have at least six horses with this problem, mostly the ones with the two front legs attached and the rear two in the air. I appreciate letting Mike know at the show. This also happens with ATS horses in the same pose.

Pictures would be great, I will print off and take to the Show

Cheers

Martyn