Thigh articulation on figures

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:25 pm

Does anybody like this articulation on figures? I don't really seen what this does in regard to posability. I would rather they put another degree of freedom in the hips so the figures can ride something. Am I missing something?

I was just pondering this since I noticed on several of my 21C figure, this is one of the loosest joints. Nothing crazy glue can't fix, just seems like a waste.

flayrah · Post by **flayrah** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:02 pm

The only benefit I can find in this joint is allowing the foot and lower half of leg to appear more realistic when posing a "turn". But a ball-jointed knee, or ankle, would accomplish much the same thing and not look as forced and artificial.

Jesse James · Post by **Jesse James** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:57 am

I like it actually as it gives some freedom of movement to the legs to have them be spread apart more for running/lunging poses. It's useful in that regard, and if they can hide it cool...

In the grand scheme of things though, it's tough to beat this:

At least it's tough to beat it and still have it look so incredibly fantastic.

The ball/socket joint is highly underrated for how well it can be hidden if the sculptor/designer does a proper job planning and executing the articulation points. Hasbro's ball joints are better hidden due to their injection molding process which I'm not sure 21st is capable of but 21st's ball/socket shoulder joints haven't looked bad to me on the Japanese or Sahara figs, nor do BBI's efforts.

It eliminates the need for the thigh joint really if you do ball/socket knees though, and looks better in the process since it can look simply like a fold in the fabric of the trousers.

steelbonnet · Post by **steelbonnet** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:19 am

Red Red Leader Kenobi there is a great exersise by Habro in making the figures the best on the part....IF they also added Ball joint Thighs too that is.

I agree with JJ`s points that with Kenobi as is,yes there`s some superb poses you can make him too. Though just think JJ,if Hasbro also gave him Ball jointed thighs too.

What with all the other limb sections already being ball jointed (Head,shoulders,elbows,knees & feet) & add he also has the chest/abs 2 part torso too. Seems ashame they didn`t give him Ball joint thighs too.

Giving the figure the ability to mount things (ooooo errrrrr

) & ride them would most certainly be better in my humble opinion.

It was the first thing I did when i got my VOTC Boba Fett,Evolution sets Maul,Dukoo,Palpatine,Both Ani`s & Vader. Was give them all ball joint thighs.

Ja
Steel Bonnet

parrish333 · Post by **parrish333** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:19 pm

I always wondered how they helped too, but realized a little while ago that on some figs the thigh joints can allow certain figs to ride a motorcycle, horse, etc.

Put the fig in a near splits position, then rotate the waist 90 degrees, then turn at the thighs, bend at the knees, and (especially if the fig has a garment hanging over waist/crotch area) you've got a pose that works well for motorcycles! Some of the old XD paras this will work OK on, but on others you can't do the splits position (leg won't rotate backwards).

I'd post a pic if I could, but hopefully this explanation makes sense.

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:25 pm

parrish333 wrote: Put the fig in a near splits position, then rotate the waist 90 degrees, then turn at the thighs, bend at the knees, and (especially if the fig has a garment hanging over waist/crotch area) you've got a pose that works well for motorcycles! Some of the old XD paras this will work OK on, but on others you can't do the splits position (leg won't rotate backwards).

That sounds like a way to kick your paratroopers' voices up a few octaves! Actually, very interesting. Will have to try that out.

flpickupman · Post by **flpickupman** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:33 pm

Looking at the two figures I just got with the Command Car, I'm not real fired up about thigh articulation. By the way, what's the deal with the one Airborne bubba's Pez dispenser head? Also, the other one looks like a fat Tom Cruise getting ready to jump up and down on Oprah's couch. A tad bizarre to say the least.

To improve the existing figures in general? I'd rather see ball and socket shoulders than anything else.

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:01 pm

flpickupman wrote:Looking at the two figures I just got with the Command Car, I'm not real fired up about thigh articulation. By the way, what's the deal with the one Airborne bubba's Pez dispenser head? Also, the other one looks like a fat Tom Cruise getting ready to jump up and down on Oprah's couch. A tad bizarre to say the least.

To improve the existing figures in general? I'd rather see ball and socket shoulders than anything else.

The Pez dispenser head was from the carded version, where the guy had one hand holding binoculars. I guess in case you wanted your Airborne figure to be a star gazer.

flpickupman · Post by **flpickupman** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:15 pm

Indeed?

I'm tellin ya, this 1/18 stuff has waaay too many idiosyncrases.

Thanks for the info.

digger · Post by **digger** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:19 pm

Jennings was carded as AC spotter but is also able to look forward while in the prone position, which is worth something.

The thigh is cool, but not essential. I am all for most articulation improvements, but not if it means the figures have to get bigger (Japanese) or lose detail. I really think the extra arms theory should be explored more, even with other body parts. The limbs are already very easily interchanged; I made a battle ready bbi Airborne Medic without even hot water. This whole scene would be doable with some static legs mixed in, but never with just articulation.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

Thigh articulation on figures

Thigh articulation on figures

Thigh Joints

Re: Thigh Joints

to each his own