Build Challenge 2016 - FSM Water Tank kit #240

[SteveCuster]

For my build challenge I decided to do the older FSM stone water tank. It's always been one of my favorite kits, I built one several years ago but sold it. I chose a smaller structure so I can finish it quickly and get back on my O'Neills/Quincy Salvage diorama.


The box was a little beat up, also I was missing the instructions. Luckily I had the old sheet from the one I had previously built.


I primed all the castings except those that represent metal, I will blacken those. I used Rust-Oleum Camo Sand color for any wood parts and Rust-Oleum Gray primer for the stone work. I touched up a few stones using Rembrandt chalks mixed with alcohol to make a wash. All the wood parts are colored with SierraWest Reaper Earth, it almost perfectly matched Rust-Oleum Sand. Although I have a full rack of Floquil paints and some of the stains I am making an effort to not use them, I hate to rely on a paint I can no longer get. The SierraWest paint set is water based and works great. The brick is colored with Apple Barrel Barn Red, I applied it very lightly. I only wanted to colored the tops of the bricks.


This is the wall after 1 A&I wash. It still looks pretty terrible, it will take at least 1 more wash to make it start to look how I want it.


While the walls were drying I glued the tank support framework together. Some of these older kits have you glue wood directly to the template, I make a copy of the template and cover it with clear double sided tape. I use a piece of stripwood as a guide to keep everything straight also. Both techniques are from SierraWest kits and they work really well.

Thanks for checking in.

-Steve

[MAP]

Looking good so far Steve. 

[ACL1504]

Steve,

Looking good, I'll follow as well.

Tom

[S&S RR]

Great choice Steve! I will be following along.

[NEMMRRC]

I love FSM kits!

Jaime

[ReadingBob]

I love FSM kits!

Jaime

Ditto that!  I built this a long, long time ago and had a lot of fun doing so.  It'll be fun to follow along with your build Steve.

[postalkarl]

Hi Bob:

I love FSM kits to. I have built several. Your stone work looks great. I'll be following along.

Karl

[Polux]

Cool!! Interesting subject!!
Comes the kit with the figure...?

[SteveCuster]

I made a bit more progress today on the kit.
Pol.lux - It does not come with the figure, I believe it's an older Weston figure sold by Campbells. I think for a long time Weston figures were a favorite of George's, most of the kits and dioramas have one on them.


I got the stone base mostly finished. I added 3 washes total of A&I followed by some antique white dry brushing. For the windows, doors and wood trim I also applied 3 coats A&I but I wasn't happy with the color so I added a dusting of white chalk followed by dirty brown chalk.




Gluing the walls together produced some seriously visible seams. I will cover them with ladders and some vines.


I was having a difficult time getting a clear photo showing all the detail. I cracked the glass in the frames and dirtied the acetate with dullcoat and chalk. I love the stonework on these older FSM kits. It's also very noticeable both front and rear walls are the same castings as are the sides, Ill add some details to make that less noticeable.


I colored and scribed the wood sheets for the tank. I glued 1 sheet on the tank, the kit requires you to piece in a small section to complete the tank. I took a bunch of rubber bands from my 3 year olds rubber band ball to glue the sheet on the cardboard core. The rubber bands in this kit are basically dust at this point, I believe they are much older than I am. I'll have to go to the store the replace his rubber bands before he notices.

Thanks for checking in.

-Steve

[Vilius]

Looks good, Steve. The kit was released in 1985.

Vilius

[ACL1504]

Love the stone work and colors. Yes, the figure is by Weston/Campbell.

http://www.campbellscalemodels.com/Default.asp


That figure no longer appears on the web site.

Tom

[Zephyrus52246]

The stone work came out nice.

Jeff

[MAP]

Excellent stone work for sure.

[MASIGMON]

Steve,  Been following along.  Like most HO Scale modlers love the detail & wimsy that George gives us in his kits.  I collect Fos Scale & FSM kits.  Two years ago I started collect Campbell/Weston figures.  I know that Preiser are a little bit better however it is fun when building an old FSM kit to use the old Weston figures.  I do like the way the stone work looks that you have done.

Mike Sigmon
Jacksonville 

[SteveCuster]

Thanks everyone.

I made some more progress today.


I added the tank support framework to the base. I had build it a few days ago, I always try to work a few steps ahead so I don't get bogged down waiting for things to dry.


The tank bands are secured using these tiny nails. A very easy and smart way to keep them straight. I also scribed lines earlier using a dull blade to hold the bands in place.


I started routing the thread used for the bands, they get wrapped around the nails then the nails get pushed in. I added some white glue for good measure under the nails.


I routed the thread across the whole tank, it only took about 5 minutes.




I added the spout support and the level gauge. The level gauge is paper, I dirtied it with chalk. I prefer chalk to weather signs, it makes them very dirty still legible.


I added band lugs. I also took a minute to make sure each band was straight before I glued the lugs in place. Nothing kills a water tank model more than sloppy tank bands in my opinion.


I added a second row of band lugs. All the lugs were blackened using JAX pewter black. After I installed them I touched them with a mix of rust colored chalk and alcohol.


Thanks for checking in. I should be tackling the roof tomorrow. My goal is to have this kit finished the weekend so I can jump back on my Quincy Salvage build.

-Steve