Help/Recommendation On Mannequin Display???

[Heer Flak]

Well I have come to that point where I am ready to get my first mannequin. I gladly take any input that anyone has. This is what I have found so far. Note, chose the Herman option once you get there.

http://www.websterdisplays.com/halfmannequins.aspx

Now I can only have the upper body and my display case does not allow me to have a full body Mannequin. Note the big display case on the left below. Does it really matter if the guy does not have arms? I have found the only way to get the arms is by buying the whole thing. I can't see waisting extra money on something that is just going to lay around. So any suggestions would be great!

One more thing you should know, I will be putting a late war 1945 tunic on it with a zelt. Plus a Y strap, K98 pouches, canteen, stick grenade (when I find one), etc.

Thanks,
Eric

[Gene]

How many can you fit in there? I have about 10 of the headless styrofoam torsos (covered with a T shirt) and they work great. I just place an overseas cap on it, stuff plastic bags up in the sleeves to puff them out, and I'm done.

[Marc Garlasco]

I have bought from them and have been very satisfied.
Marc

[TJ Suter]

The torso forms are the way to go. I've seen a couple of nice full mannequins on the forum, but the majority of them detract from the uniform they are trying to display. I use armless/headless torso forms exclusively.

Depending on what you purchase, be prepared to do some work to make the tunic fit the mannequin. I've always had to cut the mannequin down to size with my table saw. Then I pad them out until the tunic fits.

Good luck, and be sure to post pictures of the finished project!

[Guardian 5]

Eric - I've owned a "Herman" for the past year. I had him in an M-42, tunic, Y-straps, ammo pouches, bread bag, field flask and mess tin. The half-mannequin will not accomodate display of the bayonet, gas mask, and e-tool without substanstial modification, it's too short.

Over time, the wooden dowel holding the mannequin began to warp and curve. One day I walked into the room and found "Herman" face down on the floor with a dinged-up nose. Thankfully, I was able to touch him up with paint.

The warped wooden dowel is glued into the base and it's going to be a pain in the a$$ to remove and replace it (at least for an unskilled klutz like me!) When I do replace it, I'm going to try metal or PVC tubing.

In addition, his fake hair will not accomodate some smaller sized head gear.

I have two other full mannequins that I purchased from Rox Studio in NJ for $165.00 each (including shipping). "Herman's " features are much more realistic, but the mannequin itself is no where near as robust as the Rox mannequins designed for the retail world. Attached below is my BW falli complete with steel pot, Uzi, and SEM-52 radio. No problem with heavy gear on this guy.

Bottom line - Herman is a realistic looking TR half-mannequin, but not suitable for long term display of heavy combat gear. In my short experience, they are best suited for tunic/ soft cap display.

Congratulations by the way on your war room, it's truly outstanding.

TJ

[TJ Suter]

Guardian brings up a good point. I construct the stands myself out of gas pipe to avoid those problems. The first picture is the base (constructed out of 2x4's). The bases are a foot long, including the base of the mannequin holding my combat tunic with kit and helmet.

[TJ Suter]

The second picture is of the support inside the mannequin itself. Again it is simply a 2x4 screwed into the mannequin. All of the parts are available at any hardware store and are strong enough to support anything you want to load onto a mannequin.

[Heer Flak]

Gene & Mark, can you post some pictures of your mannequins? I would love to see what you have done.

Tj & PD Sergeant, thanks for the info and the pictures. These look great!

I'm still unsure about ordering the wrong size mannequin. It appears that the medium size Herman will work. Are there any other tips when ordering these mannequins? Plus, PD Sergeant, what do you mean put the mannequin on the table saw? Is this a horror film? Just kidding. Seriously, what are you cutting? Also, who do you order your mannequins from?

Thanks to everyone thus far,
Eric

[Glenn Barbaritz]

[quote=PD Sergeant;2946682] I construct the stands myself out of gas pipe to avoid those problems. The first picture is the base (constructed out of 2x4's).


I do it this way also and it works great. very strong. anyone can do it, just think it out and remember, its better to overstrenghen the project then not enough and regret it. home depot/lowes sells it all. Glenn

[TJ Suter]

Eric - it never fails that the mannequin is too big for the tunic. I cut it in half with the table saw, take out strips of about 1"-2" until I reach the right size, then glue the two halves back together with a hot glue gun. At this point if the tunic still doesn't fit snug I pad it out with old blankets.

If I were you, I'd error on the side of too small. It's easier and less time consuming to pad out a mannequin than to cut it down to size.

I pick up mannequins locally from costume shops and clothing businesses. It is a lot cheaper picking up used mannequins than to purchase them new.

[Heer Flak]

Eric - it never fails that the mannequin is too big for the tunic. I cut it in half with the table saw, take out strips of about 1"-2" until I reach the right size, then glue the two halves back together with a hot glue gun. At this point if the tunic still doesn't fit snug I pad it out with old blankets.

If I were you, I'd error on the side of too small. It's easier and less time consuming to pad out a mannequin than to cut it down to size.

I pick up mannequins locally from costume shops and clothing businesses. It is a lot cheaper picking up used mannequins than to purchase them new.

Excellent Info! I will have to take a look around and see what I can find in my small town. Of course when I find something I will be posting it.
Thanks again,
Eric

[TJ Suter]

Glad I could help. Be sure to keep us updated on your progress.

[Mat Holloway]

http://www.modernmannequin.com/malea1.html
pricey but worth it

[Ludwig]

The torso forms are the way to go. I've seen a couple of nice full mannequins on the forum, but the majority of them detract from the uniform they are trying to display. I use armless/headless torso forms exclusively.

Depending on what you purchase, be prepared to do some work to make the tunic fit the mannequin. I've always had to cut the mannequin down to size with my table saw. Then I pad them out until the tunic fits.

Good luck, and be sure to post pictures of the finished project!

IMO the most tasteful way of displaying a tunic.

[Heer Flak]

I'm so excited, I order the mannequin today. An update will follow as soon as it gets here.