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Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: dominic on January 24, 2008, 10:35:18 PM

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 24, 2008, 10:35:18 PM

Here are some step-by-step pics on how I build an ordinary Carentan house.  This is the house on Place de la Republique that I intend to reproduce.  I believe this real house is the inspiration for the house that appears in Band of Brothers 2 houses to the right of Cafe Normandie:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate01.jpg)

First step is to figure out where all the doors and windows are.  I normally make each floor 5cm high.  The doors are 4cm high and the windows 2.5cm.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate02.JPG)

Then cut out the front and back walls from the cork.  Don't use cheap box cutters.  I good heavy-duty Stanley knife cuts through the cork really easily!

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate05.JPG)

Next do the side walls and cut them out:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate06.JPG)

Cutting out the windows is tough, but a little bit of patience and half an hour later:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate07.JPG)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: The_Wisecrack on January 24, 2008, 11:40:24 PM

nice ......more   :D

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 25, 2008, 10:37:57 PM

Went to the hardware store today and found this craft ruler thingy!  I wish I had discovered it earlier!  It makes measuring and drawing lines and angles such a breeze, I'm never using my old school plastic rulers again!

This pic shows the ruler set square thingy resting on a piece of 3mm thick MDF board which I've measured and cut out for the base of this house.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate08.JPG)

Once the base is ready, just stick all the cork pieces together!  You can use UHU all-purpose glue for a quick bond, and after the UHU has set, reinforce all the inside corners with PVA white glue to ensure a solid bond.  You'll note that I've left a 2cm margin around the edges of the house for the pavement, which I'll score in later.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate09.JPG)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: Skrapwelder on January 26, 2008, 01:44:44 AM

Looks good. Any idea as to why the windows on the second story are set off center?

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 26, 2008, 07:53:02 AM

I have no idea.  I've noticed that not all Norman houses are built symmetrically.  Maybe there's a room there that doesn't need a window, or maybe it's a stairwell.

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 26, 2008, 09:27:23 AM

Just found this old postcard on the web showing Carentan's main square with the WW1 memorial.  From the look of the cars it could be either late-30s or just after the war.  You can just make out the house I'm building on the extreme right.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/place_republique01.jpg)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: Poliorketes on January 26, 2008, 09:44:20 AM

The small car on the right is either a Renault 4CV (my first guess) or a Fiat 600. Both where build after WW2. My dad would know the car from first look and would tell me I'm completely wrong, though.

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 26, 2008, 11:42:39 AM

@Poliorketes - thanks!  That makes the pic about late 1940s early 1950s perhaps?  This pic is definitely pre-war.  Probably 1920s.  The house is partly obscured by the WW1 monument

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/place_republique02.jpg)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 26, 2008, 11:51:21 AM

Back to building.  The next step is to make the cork joints less visible.  In my previous buildings, I used normal plastic modelling putty.  For this model, I'm trying out a wood filler which I bought at the hardware store.  Just squeeze it out of the tube and use a sculpting tool to spread it over the joints, smoothing it out as you go:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate10.JPG)

The window and door frames are cut out from plastic strips.  The curved part above the front door was cut out from a sheet of plastic card.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate12.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate17.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate18.JPG)

Just to add a bit of interest, I decided to build a small outhouse at the back.  I have no idea if the back of the actual house looks like this as I can't find any photos of the backyard!!

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate15.JPG)

The house interiors are all playable, with removable upper floors.  The first step is to glue in cork supports along the inside walls:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate19.JPG)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 26, 2008, 04:08:09 PM

Reviewing the photo of the house again, I noticed that I made a mistake on the upper window frames.  So I spent some time to correct it with plastic strips:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate22.JPG)

The strip right at the top of the house has some decorative protrusions.  These were just wedges of plastic cut out from waste strips:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate21.JPG)

To do the window shutters, just cut out appropriate sized rectangles from plastic card, and use some strips for the hinges.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate23.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate24.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate25.JPG)

Next come the doors.  The rear door was cut from a textured plastic sheet obtained from a model train shop.  The front door is cut from plastic card and decorated with plastic strips.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate26.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate27.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate28.JPG)

The chimneys are cut from balsa wood which you can buy in a hobby or DIY store

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate29.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate30.JPG)

For the roof, I used textured plastic card from the model train store.  Just measure it and cut it out with a Stanley knife.  Did I say already how much I love my new Stanley knife?  It cuts through plastic, cork and MDF so easily!!  On the other hand, my old and cheap box cutters don't work as well and require a lot more effort to cut.  Don't forget to cut a bit of indentation in the roof to allow for the chimneys!

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate31.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate32.JPG)

Now comes the part I hate most - making the 2 dormers on the roof.  It is quite a job cutting out all the small bits of card for each dormer.  As it requires quite a lot of cutting, drilling and filing to get it attached to the roof, make the dormers and fit them on BEFORE gluing the angle of the roof together (I almost forgot!!) :D

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: meadowsboy on January 26, 2008, 05:36:20 PM

Have been a visitor for a while but decided to register as your project is inspirational and has got me watching Band of Brothers again which is a good thing!
Great work

cheers

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 26, 2008, 11:42:29 PM

Dormers are a bloody hassle, but they have to be done!
Start first with the side walls.  You have to get the angle right, otherwise the dormer won't sit straight!  The little tab at the bottom of the side walls is for supporting the dormer on the roof.  Cut a hole in the roof that will fit the tab.  This will ensure that the dormer doesn't slide off while the glue is drying!  

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate34.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate35.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate36.JPG)

I got so stressed building the little roof for the dormer, I forgot to take pics.  So here is a pic of the step after the dormer roofs have been built and fitted.  Join the main roof together and add triangular supports to strengthen the joint.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate37.JPG)

In this pic, you can see what the dormer roof looks like.  The fiddly part is getting all the angles right.  I haven't worked out a good way to do this yet, so it's all trial and error.  After joining all the roof tile pieces together, hide the ugly seams with strips of card from a corn flakes box!

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate38.JPG)

And the finished product:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate39.JPG)

I haven't fitted the gate and garden walls yet as I'm going to spray the house with a granite-texture spray.  I'll put in the walls and gate after the texture spray has gone on.  So the next step is to mask off all the windows and doors in preparation for spraying.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate01.jpg)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 28, 2008, 07:18:04 PM

Here's the house all masked, ready to be sprayed with Dupli-Color Granit Texture spray (Krylon Stone texture spray works just as well)

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate40.JPG)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: Le matou rouge on January 28, 2008, 07:40:53 PM

What a great pic, with a lot of danger in the air...
Why this house is confined ?
OR
Will the spray work ?

to be continued  :wink:

Meow,
Matt

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 29, 2008, 10:24:52 PM

Thanks for your concern!  The spray worked, and the fence and gate have been attached:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate41.JPG)

Now I need some help.  What colour should I paint the house?  Should I do the dull grey, or use a more lively colour like ochre or terracotta?

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: Operator5 on January 29, 2008, 11:16:29 PM

That's beautiful Dom! Amazing bit of work and once the fence has been added it really takes on a life of its own.

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: twrchtrwyth on January 30, 2008, 01:42:38 AM

Thats an amazing piece of work you've done there. Excellent. 8)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: DFlynSqrl on January 30, 2008, 03:29:36 AM

Looks great!

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: Malamute on January 30, 2008, 08:42:40 AM

Dominic, I am lovong what you are doing.  :love: This is one of the best projects I Have seen in a long time. Thisw town is going to look stunning when completed. :D  :)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on January 30, 2008, 09:42:00 AM

Thanks guys!  

You know what's the best part?  Finding out that it really is so easy to do and ending up with a town that meets your expectations fully!

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: axabrax on January 31, 2008, 02:18:37 PM

I'm starting to feel stupid for having paid so much for my Grand Manner Carentan buildings!  Great job!  Can't wait to see the whole town finished!

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on February 02, 2008, 04:38:26 PM

The finished house:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate42s.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/house_gate01.jpg)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: white knight on February 02, 2008, 04:40:32 PM

That's the DB's as they would say on frothers.
Extremely well done! 8)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: Jules on February 02, 2008, 06:18:14 PM

magnificent....

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: Lt. Hazel on February 02, 2008, 06:21:17 PM

OK Dom but which pic shows the modell ?!?  :wink:

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: assi on February 02, 2008, 06:36:48 PM

Great how did you do the roof?

Edit: Ah ok, reading the whole Thread helps ;) What Company manufactord the Roof?

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on February 02, 2008, 06:48:36 PM

Thanks guys!

@Lt Hazel - the bottom pic is my model!! :wink:
 :lol:
These roof tiles are from "Vollmer", a German model railroad company.  On some of my other houses, I used roof tiles by another German company called "Auhagen".  You could also use other brands, for example the ones stocked by Antenociti.

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: assi on February 02, 2008, 07:07:32 PM

Quote from: "dominic"

These roof tiles are from "Vollmer", a German model railroad company.  On some of my other houses, I used roof tiles by another German company called "Auhagen".  You could also use other brands, for example the ones stocked by Antenociti.

Ok, danke! Ich frage dann mal beim Händler um die Ecke :)

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: mariebuchel on February 03, 2008, 05:52:46 PM

Fantastic job!  :o

May I ask from which manufacturer/brand are the fences and gate?

Thanks
Alex

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on February 03, 2008, 06:42:18 PM

Hi, The fences and gate are from Faller, another German model railroad manufacturer.

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on February 03, 2008, 06:47:58 PM

wow, Dominic, what a beautiful work!

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: mariebuchel on February 03, 2008, 07:29:57 PM

What scale these Faller fences are? Looks a bit large for HO/1:87.

Cheers
Alex

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: Auton on February 03, 2008, 07:47:15 PM

Truly impressive mate, a real work of art!

Title: Carentan - House on Place de la Republique (WIP)
Post by: dominic on February 03, 2008, 09:43:46 PM

Thanks guys!

The Faller fences are HO scale.  I guess they are meant to be full height for HO, but they work well as low fences for 28mm!