HaT's Phalangites

Dated: January 6, 2001, updated May 28, 2001, October 9, 2001.

I got the first set of HaT Phalangites to try out making and attaching my own weapons.

First stop at Lowe's Hardware store where I got myself a mini-broom. The broom straws are roughly cylindrical and are about 4 inches long, so I cut a bunch of them down to size, 7.60 cm for the sarissas (and 3.80 cm for the Greek Hoplites which do not come with spears either.)


This glue was recommended by a veteran converter. These glues come in different flavors: Household Goop, Carpenter's Goop, Electrical Goop etc. An application tip is recommended because though the instructions say that it takes 2-10 minutes to cure, the glue hardens after 2-10 seconds so you have to be real quick. Ironically, all the other Goops had the application tip except this one which I bought. The ensuring bond between the figures and broom straw is quite strong, though only time will tell if the glue will hold up over time and abuse. If you chose to use this glue, please follow the manufacturer's directions explicitly because all these strong glues can be (are) harmful if not used correctly, in fact, the warnings on this package are quite serious. So please read all directions and do not use this product if you cannot follow the directions listed on the package.


For 1/2 the figures, I used my old stand-by, the glue gun. This melts a stick of glue which subsequently hardens up after application. The glue gun glue seems to work well too. Again, the glue gun's directions need to be followed directly and carefully. It is an electrical device and burns as well as fire can result from improper use.


Here are 3/4's of a box (3 files) of phalangites equipped with their sarissas.


An image of painted phalangites sent in by by Mr. Manfred Groebel of Germany.


Here is more advice from a collector regarding sarissas:

I have discovered that the following product is even better for creating Hoplite spears and Sarissas needed for your weaponless 1/72 Greeks and Macedonians:

StripStyrene
Manufacturer:
Evergreen Scale Models
Item No.: 221
Loc. Code: SA
Description:
3/64" Rod
.047 Diameter
(1.2 mm)
Contents: 10 Pieces
Cost: About $2.00 for 10 rods (.20 each) that are about 14" in length
Available at all model railroad and airplane shops/distributors.

Suggestion:
Cut spear to size. Use an Exacto-Knife to taper the back end. Use flat surface of pliers to flatten the tip of the spear. Use Exacto-Knife to taper the tip. Insert back end of spear into figure's hand. Glue, if necessary.

Being plastic, the flattened tip of the spear will be wider than the width of the spear, resulting in a very realistic, functional and paintable spear.

Dan Martinez, Texas

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