Hi martix. As starzen mentioned, it's the weather causing the deterioration. It's not the heat as much as it is the uv in the suns rays that destroys plastic at a molecular level. Vinyl siding, flower pots and car dashboards are blended with chemicals to retard the destructive effects of uv, but I'm pretty sure the chinese didn't add any in the skelly plastic because of the added expense. I'm afraid you're going to see continued rapid deterioration as long as they're in the sun all day. The thinner pieces are going to crumble and crack first as was the case in the pilot's (or soldier's) vertebra joint. Rumsfield was on the right track with his suggestion. My thought would be to just find any solid rod, a tree branch maybe or better yet, rebar or a metal rod to shove up his poop shoot to just a few inches or as far as you can past the failed joint for this year. Super glue is great and would help in additiion. But don't fret, you'll have a pile of bones for next year's inspiration. Just my 2 cents and I love the scene. Happy Halloween Mom.