Building the Shell

This section of the build involved getting to grips with the building system and how the pieces fit together. I learned a lot about the planning and building of a structure using the Walthers system. My next building will be better for it. Here’s what I learned from the process. As stated in the main page, these kits were discontinued by Walthers. I think that was a shame. However, the lessons learned here will stand me in good stead for any similar modular system I use in the future. Or should I choose to scratchbuild I’ll know more about how to get that done in such a way to make it look right first time.

Plan, design, and then build

I suppose this should be obvious, however, in the rush to play I often forget this aspect of scratchbuilding, kitbashing (in this case), or building any other type of kit. Often I spend more time fixing my mistakes than II do building the kit. It’s a character flaw, it is who I am as a modeller. Excitement, as a prelude to finding ways to fix and undo/repair is a part of the learning journey. I promise, cross my heart, that I’ll do better next time.

Prep work is key

Clean up, and fitting are crucial to getting a great looking model using modular systems. And while working on this system I found that there was a lot of prep work to be done. Seam lines, sinkholes, moulding marks,you name it they are there aplenty. I was lucky in that I wanted to sheath the interior of the building so most of these hidden gems are covered in plasticard, which is a good stand in for cement rendered interiors.

There was however a lot of work required to get to that point as the photo set below shows. Each image has more detail for you when viewed.

To get a flat, simple wall a lot of prep work needed to be completed before the interior plasticard wall could be glued in place. Here the beginning of the interior levelling has just begun…

Because I wanted to light the building interior I decided to use these brick parts to provide a simple (in character) internal feature that allowed me to hide the wiring coming up from below the building

There is a convenient lip above the window and below the roofline to use as the attachment point for the interior finishing (plasticard). All of the other interior fit out would need to come up to this level to allow for the walls to be smooth and fir neatly within the building.

Here the shapes that will assist with installing the interior walls have begun to be installed.

A closer detail shot of the shapes being installed for the future interior to be fitted.

Looking from the rail dock side of the building, with its single door. Another design decision based on lots of photo research and from looking over warehouse and other buildings I’ve worked in throughout the years.

Detail shot of the rail dock doorway. The brickwork here is quite well moulded and will be a delight to paint and colour.

3/4 view from the personnel entry doorway. Rail dock side to left, two doorway truck dock at the right rear. Offices at the far end of the building.

The truck dock side of the building showing the bricked up windows. Another thoughtful feature from the manufacturer.

The office end of the building.

Truck dock side of the building, this time with the roof fitted for the first time. Now it really looks like a building, rather than a building site.

Next>> Internal Fit Out