Good morning. I'm going to be mounting a Turkey (first one) gobbling from the roost. I ordered the the Cally Morris Turkey manikin from McKenzies with the drum sticks (TK43). In the catalogue I could not find a neck for that specific manikin "TK43", so I ordered the FN7 neck for the TK42 manikin. I place it on the TK43 manikin and it seems short to me.
The bird hide is frozen right now and I really don't want to thaw it out again unless I'm going to be able to finish it.
Has anyone out there worked with this manikin? If so, which neck did you use? Is the FN7 OK?
And as long as I'm asking for help again, how many times would you dare thawing and re-freezing a Turkey hide? (if needed)
As always, thanks for the great advise.
Pat
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Pat,
That neck will work fine.
I dont think the neck will be too short, if anything,it might be too long.
You will see on the neck there will be some lines on it. Score a couple of those lines with a knife.
After placing the head on the neck, and the neck skin is to taught, cut or twist off the neck foam to the desired length.
I use these forms and necks all the time.
I probably would not thaw and refreeze too many times, maybe up to 3 times would be OK.
going out on a limb here...pun intended. If you haven't already, buy and Read Breakthough issues 66,67,68, Cally's turkey how-to articles.
If you haven't already, remove/install/inject/paint the feet. I like to make sure they are done before putting the skin on the mannikin.
Your neck is made to go with a freeze dried head, in his articles, Cally tells you what length the whole thing needs to be. You can trim the fd insert or your FN7. All of this can be done immediately prior to install,ie test fit and make it right.
Sounds like availible time is in issue. I skin turkeys fresh, mount the tail, then freeze the skin,(less frz space). I prefer to wheel the skin and flesh the wings now if time allows. Get your feet/mannikin ready, get your skin wheeled/degreased/washed and refroze(wet). Get all your heads back and painted. When you have a day, thaw one, overnight or in tepid water (a few hours). I still use gas, but am ready to quit, tumble and mount. I might get hung up on some other crisis, and refreeze so it no big deal, just realize it and refreeze that day or the next. What I mean is don't think you will get to it and 8-10 days later it is still in the fridge and producing fowl (spelling intended) odors. Been there, (soaked in stop rot and mounted with no problems)
Hope this helps
Thanks guys. As always, great info and helpful advise from you experts for us newbies. Some day I'll be a help to others.
pat