Customized gyrfalcon

Dear collectors,
Today I received as a gift the Papo peregrine falcon. It's a really nice model, but I'm more than happy with the Schleich one.
I thought about customizing it as another species. However, the shape of the extended wings of this model is quite characteristic, and I don't know if it could fit the one of another hawk species.

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First, I was thinking in doing a Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) since the paintjob won't be difficult. The bird has not complicated feather patterns. But, the shape of the wings it's quite different so I'm not sure about the final accuracy.

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Then, comparing the wings shape I thougt that, maybe, an osprey could be a good idea. I would love to have this species, but unfortunatelly, the Schleich one is impossible to get nowadays.

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So, what do you think? Is there any other species I shall consider? I'm open to small retouchs with clay or similars.

By the way, I'm sorry because I feel like I'm asking to many questions to you lately, but I'm always amazed by how much you know about animals!

Thanks :)

I think none of them could be easily customised, both are too different from a Peregrine falcon. There is a lot of falcon species you could choose, it would be safer.

I will follow your advice.
So, according to this chart,
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A Cooper's hawk could fit well. The patterns are challenging but I could try,

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Also, according to this second chart,

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Swainson's and broad-winged hawks could be good options,

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Let's see your ideas!

Oh how exciting, I can't wait to see the result!

I have the Schleich osprey but it would be very very expensive I think

I am not even sure and female ostrich would be enough Perhaps two ?

You can find easily Schleich Ospreys on eBay.de for about 20€. I think it is not so expensive

HERE is the link

Yes, I already knew that auctions.
But I don't need this model so much

I understand.

About falcons, A Teita or a Red-necked falcon would be nice too.

Kikimalou took his advices out of my mouth, word by word

I have only one falcon in my collection and is a homemade gyrfalcon. Since gyrfalcons are the largest falcons and the Papo model is ginormous , and they're so magnific and relatively easy to paint (at least the white phase), you may want to try this one.

Indeed it is an anticipatory plagiarism

Mmm nice ideas. The teita is tempting, the red-neck is quite complicated because of the patterns grey/white lf the body and the gyrfalcon... may I see yours Pardofelis?

By the way, the Schleich peregrine falcon is bigger than Papo's

All the Schleich raptors of this series are bigger than Papo.

Pepi wrote:

may I see yours Pardofelis?

Yes of course, these are the photos I've posted in my homemade models thread:

Pardofelis wrote:

The next one is the gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus. My plan was an Aplomado falcon but it looked too big for me after sculpting, so I've painted a gyrfalcon instead. In fact it could fit better with a peregrine-sized (female), but for a male gyrfalcon is OK :)
Bending of the tail in the oven was an unpredicted flare
Making a harness of thread and getting the bird in horizontal position is more tricky than maybe you think!
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Hang on Ben, two female ostriches for the Schleich osprey, I'm in!

A Harris hawk. There are a few osprey figures that you can buy. But you can also buy a second Papo figure

The Harris hawk will be my choice, but I agree that the shape is not very accurate. So the gyrfalcon will be. I'll start this afternoon

Good choice, I can't wait to watch it.

Too much expectation!
Here it is. I don't know what I think about it (normally happens when I just finish sth, I need some perspective).
Firstly I thougt the dark spots will be difficult to do. Then I found that the plumage is very detailed in the model so I though just painting the tip of each feather will be nice. But, in practice, doing that was more difficult than expected (in part due to bad brushes). Also, I'm not sure about the back, which I just dry painted and it ended being darker than planned. However, there are specimens with darker baks so, I don't know.

Anyway, I hope you like it. I'm totally open to corrections :)

After two lays of white:

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And the final product:

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May I should have posted this in the Homemade section

It is now in the section for Customs on forum.
I love the final result as well as the species choice. The original never attracted me that much but your custom is turning it into a very interesting model.

It resulted very good, Pepi!

I only would do the tail more white, with the black bars very weak or even absent. Individuals that are so white, usually have unbarred tails I think.

Thanks!
Looking at the photos I find the model so ugly...
I shall learn how to take them better.
Anyway, I think I will retouch the dark spots tomorrow and, if it's not too late I will take pictures with natural light

Very good repaint, and hopefully Papo retire the peregrine and release gyr instead, fingers crossed.

Congratulations Pepi very good idea to customize this Papo falcon and very good idea

Such a good idea and wow- it is just beautiful now!
Every detail, I can almost feel its feathers!
And I know how annoying it is- models always look worse in photos- but yours looks amazing so I can only imagine how incredible it is in real life!