Recently I acquired a number of MPC Ring Hand Figures for resale. Going through the figures I notice that the figure that I call ready had a different base than normal.
The figure on the left has the normal base of the hole in the middle. The figure on the right has a thin piece between the feet. At first I thought it was conversion but after getting several of these figures I had to think otherwise. I contacted Kent Sprecher, who I figured has seen as many of these figures as I have. He wrote back that he has seen this version of the figure as well and like me had thought it was conversion at first. He feels that it could have been something that MPC did special for some reason. If anyone has seen this unusual version of the figure let me know.
What I notice is the two ovals are about equal in size and shape, almost like the intention was to create a “pod foot” type figure and eliminate the solid base. That would save a bit of plastic cost. They may have decided it was not stable enough and left the isthmus in place. Perhaps there was a particular vehicle that required a narrow midddle for the figure to fit into it. I will check my boxes later and see if I see anything that gives a clue. By the way – it is not everyday one actually gets to use the word “isthmus” in a sentence. Do you remember the old Little Rascals episode where the kids are in an orphan home school and the teacher asks one of them to use the word “isthmus” in a sentence and the response is “Isthmus be my lucky day”
Mark
I agree it must have been for a special vehicle. The figure that I have seen with the “isthmus” have been army figures so it should have been with a army vehicle.