Saturday, January 5, 2013

Project Update: McGee's Hotel by Micro-Scale Models

It looks like I am having very productive start of the year. All of it is because I have been working on few things during holidays and now it is time to share the info.
Micro-Scale kit is something I haven't done before. I was curious but at the same time I had some concerns when I agreed to build several of them. In general, reviews on the net are favorable. Although many mention instructions which aren't FSM quality. So... I got the box, got out the instruction sheets. Yes, they are not FSM type but that doesn't mean they are worse. It looks like manual was done in the 90s using early CAD and publishing software. However, diagrams are pretty clear. I even didn't read much of the text. Weathering tips are most likely already outdated, I already have certain techniques worked out, and I don't need to read how to glue parts together. Information where all parts go are in the diagrams and this is what I need. I have been making paper scale models made in Poland for years. Early ones were all in Polish and all I could rely on were diagrams. I used written instructions just to determine the order parts go by looking up their  numbers. For modelers who find hard to follow diagrams building this kit could be a challenge.
What is a bit unusual about this kit is that it contains structural shapes. I got this term from Northeastern Scale Lumber web site. Some T and V shaped stripwood is included. I am guessing first one would be tee and the second angle? Most of the wood has rough surface what requires a little more preparation.  Clapboard siding is different from I have seen so far. Board spacing is closer than I am used to seing.
I didn't like the colors of the pilot model which I thought were too cold for hotel. I have chosen yellow and green instead only I didn't go for bright tones but toned down variants instead.
It may be awhile before I post next update. This structure has number of windows for sure. I have to install "glass" and then window treatments before I have anything new to show.


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