Missouri State Highway Department a.k.a. Walthers Ford Headquarters

[cduckworth]

Since Jefferson City is Missouri's capital I wanted to add at least one government style building on city scene I'm working on. The Walthers Ford Headquarters was 'close enough'. Built it 'out of box' but left off the small structure that sat on the roof filling in the rectangular opening with a sheet of styrene. Looking at photos of the 'real' Mo State Highway Dept building on google maps and vintage postcards I decided to scribe in the various stones to give the building a little more detail.  A first for me, I airbrushed the three gray sides with .99 cent craft paint from Michael's. All that's needed is airbrush thinner and distilled water.

The individual stone faces were brush painted with the gray slightly lighten with Vallejo white to add variations.

The rear of the building was airbrushed a Missions paint that's a German red brown WW2 camouflage color. Then sealed it with Dullcote. For the mortar I used Robert's Mortar mix with is a PITA as it collects in the numerous corners. After several hours of Qtips and small brushes I was somewhat OK with the results. I did have to repaint the red brown in a few spots as removing the mortar will also at times remove the original paint.
After the mortar drama I still didn't like the stark white against the bricks and airbrushed a thin coat of Vallejo 'Light Wood' over the bricks.

Windows and doors added and the rear didn't look too bad plus it faces the staging yard so it not 'in your face' like the front and sides. 

Next time I'm making up decals I'll find a thin lettering for adding the proper name to the structure. 

[PRR Modeler]

Charlie your work looks terrific.

[Larry C]

Great job on the building and I have to say that's a lot of windows.

[Philip]

Nice work Charlie!

[GPdemayo]

Great job Charlie.....

[cduckworth]

Added the Walthers vintage fire escape last night; adds a little more interest to the back of the building

[friscomike]

Charlie, the stairs are a nice addition to the structure.  Have fun, mike

[robert goslin]

Looks great Charlie.  The kit you chose is an excellent stand-in for the real building, as has similar features.
Nice work on the colour and the rear brickwork looks great too.

[Jerry]

Charlie that came out really nice.  Great coloring on the brick.  

Jerry

[GPdemayo]

Great job Charlie, well done.....

[KentuckySouthern]

  Wow, how nice!