The Man in the Iron Mask
Built by Santiago Plicio in October 2025
To say this project had been on my mind for quite some time would be an understatement, but it was as such before I finally decided to bring it to life at the start of 2025.
The goal was to create a full-body Meccano armoured costume, beginning with a mask that would fit over my head, a chest plate, and armour covering my body from the waist down to almost my feet.
After so long having dreamed about making such a model, I was thrilled to see it coming together. However, I quickly realised it was a heavy garment to wear and it took several major adjustments to get it to fit more than satisfactorily.
To make it more wearable, I added soft, rounded padding on the inside of the mask to prevent it from hurting my head, which improved things, but it still remained heavy and slightly uncomfortable.
I then crafted shoes and an arm with claw-like fingers to be worn on my left hand for some fun dramatic effect.
As the January 2025 SELMEC meeting approached, I arranged with Tim Surtell to unveil the model at the event — but I kept the details a secret. I simply told him I had a new model in the car.
Around midday, I asked Tim to announce that a ‘new member‘ would be arriving through the front door with an unusual creation, and I entered, making a rattling sound and holding something in my hand.
I hadn’t quite anticipated the reaction I got; it was incredible. Everyone seemed to be amazed and taking endless photos, and after so long just thinking about making such a model one day, I was suddenly being offered so many warm congratulations for having done it.
Following that wonderful personal success, I showcased the costume at the next Runnymede Meccano Guild meeting and again at the next West London Meccano Society meeting. I was again met with such a reaction from fellow members, and so when I was later invited to a fancy dress party at the Spanish club on Portobello Road, I decided I may as well wear my Man in the Iron Mask Meccano suit model and ended up winning first prize for my outfit.
Actually, the reception I have enjoyed to the many nuts and bolted parts of my long-conceived Meccano-themed costume had been, up until that point, almost a little overwhelming, but I still personally wanted to improve the suit of armour further and so recently dismantled the original Metal Mickey version of it and started building the upgrade.
It is larger and heavier too, but a much better overall fit for my body. The new mask is three times bigger, but now the weight rests on my shoulders instead of directly on the top of my head, making it so much more comfortable to wear.
Once again I am filled with childlike excitement at donning my Man in the Iron Mask persona and, as such, looking forward to displaying my upgraded costume now that it has become something real and not just an idea that lived in my dreams!
The Man in the Iron Mask — Wearing out a passionate hobby by hiding myself underneath.
The Man in the Iron Mask will be visiting our Meccano Show in October 2025! Here’s a sneak peek of him in action.