I mentioned in the "First Looks" Column at the time that this kit was very similar to the models that appear in the ABC Magazine. Now that I have started the model I can confirm that my expectations have been proved right.
The kit is produced in the usual book form but the pages appear to be larger than the usual A4 size. This means that more parts can be put on each of the 10 pages. The kit has no English instructions and the information on the real building is also in Czech. This page also forms the base, which shows the positions of the walls.
Like most of the models by the same designer, it is almost a matter of starting with part 1 and working numerically through the pages. There is a slight difference here because the model is split into three sections and the parts for each section start at part 1 but the background to the numbers are in three different colours.
To assist anyone who is thinking of building this kit, here are a few pointers, which will become obvious once the maker starts. Solid lines that need to be hill folded are indicated by a small arrow head at the end of the line. Valley folds are dots and dashes but on occasion there is no indication at the end to show it needs folding. In some cases it is almost impossible to tell if there are dots and dashes. This occurs at the top of most of the walls where the top part needs to be bent forward to create the underside of the roof. On some of the walls there are small lines with letters these indicate where parts are to be glued to the rear of the wall. I put a small hole through the part and drew a thin pencil line on the back to help position the next part.
Without the benefit of instructions I decided to add all the windows and doors and any other items to each of the walls. Once all the walls were complete I glued them to the base. I also changed the numeric order so that the recessed windows were put in last. By leaving them till last the wall remain flat which makes adding the bits to the front of the walls that much easier. Obviously there is a limit to the amount of parts that can be added so the builder should reach a compromise so that adding the windows does not become too difficult.
So, lets start. The rest of this review shows the construction of the first section in the form of a pictorial review with a description of the main points of the construction.
At this point I have separated all 10 pages and have compared the parts with the drawings. With no instructions in English it's a matter of starting with piece one and see how it goes from there.
The first wall is complete. Note the top of the wall that has been folded forward and the various pieces added to the front and the last pieces to be added are the recessed windows, with the exception of the painted shutters.
This one is a bit of a warning! Here is the before and after views there are 4 valley and 4 hill folds for each window. Please don't ask how many there are, I want to stay a happy bunny.
More walls, windows and down pipes for a touch of variety. At this point the walls have not been glued to the base or to each other.
And here is the reason. This tunnel will eventually fit between two of the walls. This picture does not show the roof. The instructions indicate that the roof should be added at this point but it was not till later that I realised that by adding the roof this became a rigid structure and provided no movement. Any slight twist in the tunnel makes it difficult for the walls to be kept square. If I could start this piece over again I would leave off the roof, glue the tunnel to the two walls and attach the walls to the base. I would then fit the roof once the walls were square.
This also is a good example of the detail in the kit. Once the walls and tunnels are in place it's impossible to see the interior detail.
If only I knew then what I was about to learn a few moments later! This picture was taken before the roof was glued in place and the tunnel glued to the walls. Anyway, this gives a good idea of how these pieces go together.
After a great deal of "remedial work" to the tunnel, all four walls are attached to each other and the tunnel almost straight. Again, note the forward pieces at the top of the walls. Because these areas are dark brown it is difficult to follow the dots and dashes which indicate the valley folds.
This picture shows one of the more unusual aspects of this kit. The "wings" are supports for the tower and also for the roof. The side away from the camera is the side that is glued to one of the walls. The rest of the tower floats until the roof is in place. This also shows another of my variations from the instructions. If you look closely you may notice two pieces of thick card attached to the wall marked 24. Past experience with roofs has shown that it is much easier to glue strips of card to the roofline and then remove the tabs from the roof piece. Using this method is almost a foolproof way of ensuring that the roof is located exactly on the line indicated on the wall. This is most efficient when the roof has already been glued on three other sides.
I have deliberately left off the rest of the tower. This will be added right at the end to save any damage to the intricate tower roof.
These are the parts that make up the roof. This kit has the most intricate chimneys that I have seen on a model. I generally add them and the dormers to the roof at this stage. Having a flat roof makes it easier to position the parts accurately. In this case discretion was the better part of valour. I decided that manoeuvring a multi part roof could result in damage to the chimneys.
After a great deal of juggling, the roof is in place. It's difficult to decide whether to glue all the roof parts together first or attach one piece at a time. Referring to picture 9. I glued all the parts together except the lower part of the diamond shaped roof on the left. This piece bends in two directions and I found it easier to attach the left piece to the wall then glue the lower tab to the next piece of roof.
This picture shows the completed first section of the model. What is not noticeable is the pieces of stiff card that I have glued inside the wall with the holes. Later in the construction, a floor will be added to this wall and the strengthening will make it easier to get a sharp finish.
Here ends the first part of this review, Total time so far is over 24 hours and I'm up to part 100 of more than 350. Next Month will see the continuation of the story when I hope to be able to have a different slant on the construction.
This model is available from Joseph Spinelli in the Czech Republic.
