Last winter I got bored and built my 2nd and 3rd “Craftsman” kits. I had previously built zillions of plastic kits. “Shady Awnings and Tents”, by Full Steam Ahead, my Christmas gift from the Mrs 2 years ago:
Then “H.J. Zane Merchantile”, by Micro-Scale Models. This is just about the coolest model that I’ve ever built. Sorry that since I’m the great procrastinator, both of these kits are no longer in production, try auction sites.
Those are absolutely spectacular, especially the H.J. Zane Merchantile!
Very nice workmanship.
Sometimes it takes just the right moment to inspire us to try the next step. Seems you found it.
However, had it not been for Athearn BB and similar kits, how many people in the hobby today would never have built their confidence and found that they could take the next step.
Have fun,
Great models! I too really like the intricacy of the craftsman level kits. One suggestion I would make (as a long time retailer) is that the crates and barrels would more likely be arranged so that any one of them could be accessed without having to move a whole lot of others to get at them. Even if they all contained the same product the company would would want to be able to follow the ‘first in - first out’ rule to avoid stale inventory so there would logically be aisles between the crates. With the number of crates and barrels supplied with the kit that might be a challenge given space limitations for the structure, but stacking crates and barrels would be the norm, and that gives you an opportunity the add a forklift or 2 to the scene (assuming they would be appropriate for the era). Also, I’m curious to know why you chose to use 2 colours for the roof (not being critical here - I just would like to know what inspired you to do that). Again, pretty good job for the first 2 craftsman kits.
Dave
By the way, anybody - what did they use to handle large crates before the invention of powered fork lifts? How did they stack them (if they did)?
Not too shabby, really nice job but now you just have to weather that nice looking building up a bit. You’ve got yourself one heck of a nice wife there Jay that’s a $245 kit still available last I saw at Valley Model Trains. I’ve got mine all packed away waiting to find a permanent home some where on the new layout.
