Mini-art Madness, Normandy City Building kit 35503

[detailfreak]

Greetings fellow modelers and anyone who dares enter the realm of the vacu-formed kit. This is not the first thread I've started here but with any luck it will be a thread I will see to its completion. Without further delay: The Normandy City Building.



The kit is molded in a medium gray styrene with very nice detail. The one thing that is very noticable is the mold process, or better the manufacture of the kits elements. Vacu-forming as many of us know is the process of placing a sheet of styrene over a mold and the using a vacuuming process the sheet is drawn down over the mold. The many tiny dimples present on the finished sheet are most likely vents for trapped air to be released.A sprue shot.



The photo below some of the dimples are visible.



I have removed the excess material from the two halves of the front wall and joined them and I will show how this tricky task was accomplished in the next few photos. The method I began using to remove the wall sections from the excess material was the score and snap method which many of us know of all to well.I did not photograph much of this process but I will say it only adde to much additional clean-up. With that I must prepare for my eight hours of paid labor ,more this evening.

[TRM]

Interesting build!! Count me in!! These MA Dio kits aren't the most fun, for me anyway, to construct, but the end result is not half bad most of the time!! Looking forward to following along!!

[legend]

I didn't realise that these kits were vac-forms! when I did vac-forms years ago I used to cut the surround to within an 1/8 inch or so and then lay it on a flat sanding board, two sheets together depending on size and then sand away until the surround was gone. much better edge especially with curved parts.

bill

[deafpanzer]

Holy cow!!! Always wanted to see how it comes out... I think I have couple of kits similar to this in stash. Its great having you back... hope you are all settled at your new place by now?

[reserve]

Hey brother long time no look

The difficulty factor in these kits is rather high but with patience they turn out pretty well. MiniArt has tutorials on their website that helped me quite a bit when I was fumbling thru my first one of these ya might check it out


Regards,
Mark

[Deano]

I really like these kits ... they can be a PITA but well worth the effort . I think the challenge is part of the fun , good luck !

[Leon]

I'm with Legend on not knowing these were vacuum formed! I'll be following closely.

[detailfreak]

Alrighty then,sorry for the delay in posting but you know how life can be. Gettng right down to business,as I mentioned I was using the back edge of a no.11 blade to score and then snap the plastic which made for an awful lot of clean-up so I changed gears and grabbed the razor saw.









Strips of the carrier material were cut and used to reinforce and add material to the join as there is nothing to help locate any of the pieces.




So far the kit has been a pleasure to assemble,did I say that?? Your comments and questions are always welcome.

[John Everett]

Mar 8, 2015 23:02:30 GMT -5 detailfreak said:

Strips of the carrier material were cut and used to reinforce and add material to the join as there is nothing to help locate any of the pieces.



 

I was going to suggest exactly this technique. Most guys don't think of it. But it's a great way to both strengthen the joint and add surface area for the glue to soak.

[TRM]

Great to see you pushing this along DF! The last one of these I did, adding that strip here and there helped immensely!! I like the saw bit! I did the score and snap method and ended up sanding...and sanding.....and.....

Keep up the good work!!

[detailfreak]

Legend your sanding method is/was probably the way to go, you were doing aircraft with I would guess much thinner plastic ? The razor saw makes for a cleaner edge with just a light sanding. If I were to guestimate I will say the score and snap method along with the sanding probably 3 hrs. ,with the saw less than 30 minutes. More when I have time.. thanks for looking..

[wbill76]

Will be interesting to see how this all comes together. Nice start to the freeing of the parts and also the joining practice.

[detailfreak]

Alrighty then ladies and gents a bit of an update, I have the floors all assembled the walls and even fitted a window frame. But more on that last item when I get there.I assembled two walls and added the floors and I must say that you need to be very patient here as the fitting is a bit frustrating. Nothing in anyway to align things so to speak although the large styrene angle is going to be a big help. In my hast to make progress I only added the angle to one wall.



I am impressed with the detail in these kits so far, aside from wondering a bit about the scaling of the windows and doors but I have never been to Normandy so....As I mentioned I assembled two of the wall sections and then added the floors( which I may be tempted to scratch build next time). All this helped to square things up a bit.









Just thought I would throw that last one in for scale effect. The floors were carefully glued in place and each allowed to dry for twelve or more hours before any handling,and this assembly is remarkably sturdy. Right now I would like to thank everyone for following along on my journey into mini-art madness thank you. Now the temp outside is pushing fifty so I must get out and do some woodcutting as winter is not quite over yet.

[wbill76]

Looks like it's coming together Greg. have fun with the wood cutting!

[Leon]

Looking really good Greg! :)Your patience is paying off.

[dupes]

I've got a couple of these that I have yet to attempt...they appear to be a bit more work than I had assumed! I'd better stock up on sanding implements judging by the look of some of those seams.

[deafpanzer]

I agree... great details on the house! Can't wait to try it I have couple in the stash.

[detailfreak]

Well I am back with an update, been working on my chariot as it has been lacking attention and I do not like to pay extravagant shop rates. So anyway, all the walls and floors have been added and the clean-up has begun , and there is no shortage of it either. The seams where the wall and floor halves meet are all in need of sanding and filling.






all of those little dimples on the outside and inside have been sanded down and cleaned up. A couple of windows have been added and a piece of styrene strip to square up the door opening were added , more on them tonight if time allows but alas I am on the move again. All questions and comments are welcome.

[wbill76]

Looks like you're bending this one to your will and whipping it into shape there Greg, making good progress.

[John Everett]

Excellent work in blending the seams.

[deafpanzer]

Looks like you will be busy for while... they will look great once filled and sanded!

[itsonlyakit]

Excellent work so far, as all MA buildings are not created equal, some have very "soft" detail. Looks like interior/exterior walls are lining up well in regards to the brick and mortar detail, careful mortar painting will add to realism. Photo 039, the gap between floor joists will have to be hollowed out to create the air space between floorboards and ceiling, suggest basswood or balsa for new joists. Breaking the wood or singing it before installing will increase WoW factor. Also when you get to the roof find good ref. pics. MA cheats on the battens. Just trying to help. Cheers Eh!

[Deano]

Coming together nicely , your careful work is paying off with some nice joints !

[detailfreak]

Anyone ever use Kencali products ? I have a bunch of cobblestone and was just wondering.

[detailfreak]

My apologies for the long gap. Some more clean-up and a primer coat were added when I could find the time,LOL which did'nt seem like much.So lets just get on with some photos.










The building was primed using my favorite krylon red oxide primer.Any of the really tough seams I will do away with during the weathering and addition of rubble .







Any questions comments and the like ,by all means feel free.

[deafpanzer]

Looking good buddy! Wait a minute I don't see snow in the background... I thought it always snow in Minnesota?

[Leon]

No apologies need,and glad to see you back at the bench.Primer is looking good.

[wbill76]

Glad to see you've been able to make some progress on this one, looking good!

[Wes]

Good to see this one back

[detailfreak]

Holy crap batman. I cannot believe last post date . Have moved forward a bit with this project.