Well I think the title pretty much hints at my conclusions
So here's my observations and musings.
As I've been reminded lately the 1/48 dolls house market isn't unknown or unused by more experienced gamers.
It's not particularly unknown to me either. Just no exploded for a long while.
My renewed interest has been fuelled by a need for a playable interior space for skirmish and Pulp gaming.
In all fairness (and with out wishing to sound big headed.) It's well with in my skill base to knock up a usable space for next to nothing.
Just sometimes it's nice to build a kit.Also to have the enjoyment of opening something in post other than a bill.
I spent a good deal of time over the last year looking at mdf kits on line and in person at shows. Quiet frankly they've been lacking. I was give a Charlie fox trot . table edge terrace as a gift (it had the entire roof missing from the sealed bag.) Also a farm house and the Tobac shop all had window frames that didn't fit because they'd not adjusted the size of frame to compensate for the laser cut.
Sarissa Roman builds that take some serious elbow grease to cut from the frames which increased the risk of damaging thin parts( infact I've still one building left made out of the three I was given.) I could go on and on .So I took a look at the cheap and cheerful end of the market as well .Working on the proviso that if I had to put that level of effort in I might as well do it and save money.
Hense the £12 mdf church that I tweaked earlier this year.
(I know some people will happily have extolled the virtues of these and other companies I could list. These are just my experiences with the items I was given not a reflection of the overall quality of products from these companies)
Once I'd done that I thought I'd go back and build the interior for the Sarissa chateaux I'd turned into a hotel.
So I looked for dolls house furnishings to speed things up.I remembered Pettitte Properties ltd did some grey board furniture.So I took a look then got sidetracked looking at 1/48 buildings.and it dawned on me that the chateaux wasn't. Going to cut the mustard.That if I wanted to stick figures inside a building then I'm basically playing with a dolls house.So that's probably the better solution.
And here we are with this building kit from Scale Model DIY.
Infact once I mentioned that it was for across over experiment .They kindly sent me a kit of their choice(would have been rude to then say thank you its very kind of you but can I have a different kit.)
It arrived tody seal in a black plastic postage bag and boxed.
I'll start with the price It's just shy of £29 and free p&p(signed for) So in reality its more like a £24 kit.(most buildings in their catalogue are in the £28-£35 free p&p range)
As you can see it completely free of frames. It has a really clear and comprehensive instruction booklet.
It also has two pieces of clear sheeting to glaze the windows.and a piece of sandpaper !
They also inclued a base plate which makes life a little easier.
Infact if you don't glaze the windows you don't need any tools to build the base kit only glue, and if you do glaze the windows you could get away with only a pair of scissors and glue.
I will of course up date as I build and tweak the kit.
The subject kit its self isn't (at this point) the relevant issue rather the attention to detail and preparation with in the kit and the range is.
If these production values are possible in a very similar product to 28mm Wargaming buildings .Then its not unreasonable to say they should be expected in 28mm.
If these doll house companies decided to cross over into the Wargames market then they'd soon become a driving force.
I'm not suggesting these crossover peices are perfect in any shape or form.
Simply if your in the market for buildings with usable interiors you should look at 1/48 dolls house as a viable and affordable alternative.