[windebieste]

One of the common issues these old figures display is the missing dorsal appendage/spike/crest. (whatever that projection thing is that sits between the shoulders is) is often missing. Chances are high if you buy one of these action figures today this feature will not be present. If so, you can still make figure complete by buying a part online. You can purchase an original if you are lucky but they are rare and expensive or you can buy a repro part. Original parts aren't cheap and the repro spike will do the job just as nicely. After all, we will be modifying it so for this reason it's good to not purchase an original piece. Use a facsimile instead.

This is the culprit who is often AWOL.

The real problem associated with this piece missing is the mounting slot upon the figure where it is fixed in place is frequently broken and enlarged making the pair of pegs that formerly held the spike in place no longer capable of fastening it to the torso. In this regard, it doesn't matter whether you use an original or a replacement spike as the result is the same and the piece will not sit in place correctly and will fall out once again. As repair to the damaged slot on the torso itself is not possible, we have to work around that problem and address the spike itself. Fortunately, this is relatively easy to do.

First you need to dismantle the figure. It's a simple task and outlined in a post above.

You will need to trim off both pegs from the spike and render the surface flat. For this reason alone it is preferred to use a facsimile part rather than an original one. Then drill a pair of holes into the back of the part.

The spike without its mounting pegs and 2 holes drilled in their place; an improvised mounting plate and a pair of screws.

You will then need to craft a small, improvised mounting plate to sit inside the interior of the figure to fix the spike in place. To do so, cut the material from an old DVD case and trim a small plate to fit the space inside the rear half of the torso behind where the spike is to sit. An old DVD case is an ideal source of material to work with as such things are readily on hand, it is easily cut with a good pair of sharp scissors and the improvised plate is strong enough to hold the spike in place securely without any problems. You will also need a couple of screws to assemble the new arrangement; and of course, a screw driver. Drill or punch a pair of holes into the mounting plate to match the pair of holes in the back of the spike.

The rear torso interior with the mounting plate and screws in place.

Now it's a simple task to assemble the arrangement from within the torso half. Pass the screws through the mounting plate holes and fit the assembly into the rectangular slot in the back of the figure. Then screw them into the spike. It's simple, really. Tighten the screws until the spike is fixed in place. You can leave each screw half a turn away from being fully tightened if you like to emulate the innate looseness the spike originally had when it was in place. Reassemble the figure. Job done.

The crest is now securely returned to its proper place.

The finish will be secure and undetectable and include any minor movement the piece originally possessed when the figure was new. No glue will be required at all. Always treat glue as a last resort in any repair; and indeed, in returning one of these spikes to the figure's back it's use is not necessary at all. The end result will be a figure with its dorsal crest confidently secured in place and a figure that is made more complete.

-Windebieste.