I am looking for a place to get a good form of a large Lynx leaping for a bird pose, see alot of bobcat but not so many lynx. Or do I just have to bite the bullet and build a bobcat form up.
Thanks,
Rich D
Alaska
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not use a bobcat form. Lynx and bobcat differ too much. Get a good looking walking lynx form. One that at least has an elongated body and the legs aren't all bent up. Basically visualize how close the form COULD be to your pose. Ask for one with the rods or wires not installed, but included. Get some good photos of what pose you want. Get out your little hand saw and start cutting. Cut the front legs "out", that is cut them at an angle or lets see...scoop them out if that makes any sense. Rotate them in their "sockets" to the position you want. Do the same with the back legs. Cut at the elbow and knee jonts. Off with the head...You may need to cut the body from back to belly in several places in order to arch the back. Re-attach your cut pieces with some long wood (grabber) screws. You'll need to rework some of the muscles with a rasp and some plaster and bondo. Continually test fit your skin.(Very important) After the skin fits your form and is in the position you want "route", (with a Dremel) out the slots in the back legs for the rods or wire. You may want one coming out the front foot to attach your bird. It sounds like a lot of work but I think you will be way more satisfied with the end result. If it's a customer piece be sure to charge for it, or you could always chalk it up to a learning experience if you have never done it before.
Try Jan VanHoosen's (sp?) Lynx forms. I believe they're carried by Noonkester taxidermy supply. Not a huge variety of sizes, but the poses might be just what you're looking for.