Downtown Deco Addams Avenue one and a half builds

[jimmillho]

Yippee!  A Downtown Deco build.  I enjoy building these but haven't done nearly enough of them.  It'll be a blast following along and might inspire me to break one out.   

My thoughts echo Bob's.  somewhere I have some Downtown Deco Kits.

Jim

[Zephyrus52246]

Welcome aboard, gentlemen.  I've done the raw umber wash.  Now to let it dry for a day (the water mixable oil takes longer to dry than plain acrylics, but not nearly as long as normal oil paints).  Need to work on the other one for awhile.


Jeff

[Janbouli]

Oh goodie goodie , long time ago we had a DD build.

[postalkarl]

Hi Jeff:

looking great so far. I'll be following your build with interest.

Karl

[Zephyrus52246]

I think I've figured out how I did the mortar on the structure.  One side was Robert's with A&I applied afterward, then another thin layer of Robert's mortar.  The other was grey chalk or weathering powder.  The sides now match.    The glazed windows are drying, and I'm assembling the walls with 5 minute epoxy.  Oddly, I wrote 4/09 inside the wall, must be when I started it.    Seven years for a structure sounds about my speed. 


Jeff

[deemery]

...  Seven years for a structure sounds about my speed. 


Jeff

Speedy modeler!  I have stuff I started back in the '70s.


dave

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, Dave, that makes me feel better.     Used a coat of Robert's Mortar.  Windows and doors are in.  Still need to tone down the Jade door and shutters a little bit.


Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

The double arch windows didn't fit worth a darn.  I'm sure I test fitted them seven years ago.    You can see a couple of places I slipped with the file while trying to fit them in.  A tiny bit of A&I in the boo boos and they'll look like normal brick damage. 


Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

As I just ordered another Deco kit yesterday, I thought the two kits that have been sitting on the bench for apparently 4 months should be completed.  Since starting the new job, I haven't felt like doing much here with the Empire.  So I've been dinking around with these two kits for about 3 weeks.  Anyhoo, I've gotten the "half build" finished.   The next step was the roofs.  I always make the same mistake with these kits.  I just cut some cardboard for refinforcing, forgetting that a roof has to fit later.  So I end up cutting down the cardboard (and prying off glue).  I need to pre measure the cardboard and put the plastic pieces the roof rests on BEFORE gluing the walls together.  Maybe next time.    Also I don't always get a perfectly square building.  The little bit of defect in the left lower corner is easily covered up with roofing. 

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Next the top of the castings needed touch up on the taller buildings.  For the roof I use thick black enamel paint, and then sift some sand onto it for a gravel roof.  I usually do this before putting the roof on.  but this time I thought I'd put the roof on and then paint it.  This way I could get some "tar" on the walls as well.  In the last picture you'll see I got a blob of paint on the wall.  It's no biggie, as this wall will face away from the aisle.  I don't think I'll do it this way again, however.     To cover the seam where the walls meet I used a scupper (SS Ltd) and a piece of spaghetti for the downspout.   I added some roof details and the two signs on the front and this one is FINALLY finished. 


Jeff

[ReadingBob]

That looks really nice Dr. Jeff!     I love these kits. 

I'm tempted to pull out a Downtown Deco kit and build one but there's already a backlog in the queue.      

[tom.boyd.125]

Jeff,
Your large Downtown Deco project is starting to take shape...Looking good sir ! 
Tommy

[ACL1504]

Jeff,
Your large Downtown Deco project is starting to take shape...Looking good sir ! 
Tommy

Jeff,

I agree, the building are looking very good.

Tom

[PRR Modeler]

Nice looking building Jeff.

[postalkarl]

Hi Jeff:

Looks great so far. Keep the pics coming.

Karl