I was asked by 
Editor in Chief Bill 
to paint the Dragon Turtle by Grim Reaper Casting.
The model came in a blister pack, and had 2 parts. The parts were cleanly cast and had almost no flash, just the usual extra metal here and there (that I removed with sharp knife).
The parts fit together very well, and were easy to put together with superglue.
The model then was glued - using regular white glue - to a permanent base that I made from vinyl tile.
I often make bases out of that material - it comes in 12 inches by 12 inches square tiles, in different colors and slightly different thicknesses . Just draw the desired size in pen or pencil, score with sharp knife several times, and carefully break off.