Building Eddie: From Printing to Preparation

The printing phase of my large-scale Eddie model from Iron Maiden’s The Trooper is almost complete. Only two parts remain before I can move fully into preparation and assembly.

The model has been printed across several build plates using my Anycubic Photon Mono M5s. Since starting with the head as a test, I have gradually worked through the remaining pieces while checking the results along the way.

A print is only the beginning

Resin parts are not ready for paint when they leave the printer. After washing and curing, each piece needs to be inspected and cleaned.

I have now started removing and smoothing the small marks left behind by the supports. Some are easy to reach, while others sit close to details that need to be preserved. The goal is to create a clean surface without softening the sculpt.

This stage takes time, but it will have a major effect on the final result. Small imperfections that seem insignificant now may become much more visible after priming and painting.

Testing the fit

I am also test-fitting the completed pieces before permanently assembling anything.

This makes it possible to find gaps, alignment problems or connection points that need adjustment. It also gives me the first real sense of the model’s final size and overall presence.

Not every successful print will necessarily make it into the finished build. If a part has lost important detail, warped or does not fit correctly, I may decide to print it again. Replacing a questionable piece now is better than trying to hide the problem later.

Next steps

The immediate plan is to:

• Print the final two parts
• Inspect and clean every piece
• Complete the test fitting
• Reprint anything that does not meet the quality standard
• Prepare the model for assembly and primer

There is still a lot of work ahead, particularly during painting, but the project is beginning to move from a collection of separate prints into something that resembles the finished figure.

Current status: Two parts left to print. Cleanup and test fitting are in progress.