introduction

This review looks at the resin 1/72 set 2 Small Sheds (#2), kit 72017, by Reality in Scale . Part of their DIO72 Buildings & Accessories series, these little gems feature architecture ubiquitous to most of the world and should enhance your 1/72 - 1/76 dioramas. Also, model railroaders of OO scale (1/76) and perhaps even HO can make good use of them.

Reality in Scale from the Netherlands started in 2006, with a philosophy to produce high-quality, interesting, unique diorama accessories ignored or poorly done by other companies. Amongst their focus are Baroque, Renaissance and Classicism subjects. They boast that their kits are complete - every one of their kits containing every single component needed to make the kit (except paint and glue) so that you will not have to scrounge through your spare parts box. Part of their philosophy statement is;

We use vacuum technique and pressure pots in the mould making and casting process to ensure virtually bubble free and smooth castings of a very good quality. All scratch building, casting and packaging is done in-house to ensure maximum quality control. Still, if a certain part is damaged or otherwise not useable, we will replace it free of charge.

2 Small Sheds (#2)

The second of two currently catalogued 1/72 shed sets, R.I.S. packs these models in a sturdy one-piece cardboard box with a hinged, tab-locking lid. A color photograph of the assembled models serves as box art. No instruction sheet is provided.

Master modeler Roy Schurgers created the models. One model of an enclosed shed is a solid casting. The other model of an open shed is assembled with four pieces; all pieces are held in a ziploc baggies. Both models fit within a 2-square inch footprint.

When I first opened the box my cursory glance startled me. Each piece appeared to be pocked with many air bubbles. Happily, that was not the case; R.I.S. resin has dark flecks in the gray resin. Each piece is crisply cast without flaws. There was not a hint of flash on the solid casting or the separate pieces.

The open shed consists of two sidewalls, a back wall, and an "L" shaped roof. That roof has structural detail cast into it and the sides have small notches to accept the roof, and the rear wall. While the side walls are not two of the same casting, it seems that either can be used for either side. Pour blocks hold the walls. They were not difficult to saw off.

Detail

The walls of the open shed have flat rock detail on both sides and the front edges. The back wall represents a lumber structure with a narrow masonry center. The slats feature very fine wood grain. The roof is cast as a terracotta tile type with three transverse poles for support.

The solid shed represents an enclosed brick and tile structure with a wooden door and a six-pane window. Cracks and eroded brick facing represents wear. The door has fine wood detail and an iron latch, as well as nail detail. The window is inset from the brickwork and the panes are deeply set into the model.

These are very impressive models. Do not be put off by the appearance that the models suffer a concave profile, that is from closeup photography.

assembly

Assembly of the open shed is where the set looses some of its praise. Those notches in the walls for the roof timber do not line up well. I had to carve open some of the notches. One wall reasonable slipped into the roof but then the roof did not set well upon the contour. To make the roof attach to the other wall I had to gently bend the roof, which cracked a row of tiles. (Hey, ceramic tiles do crack in real life!) Happily, the rear wall fit into the side walls well.

Gap-filling glue was required to fill the space between the roof and the walls. To make the roof conform to the angle of the walls, strong rubber bands were required. Rigidity of the roof caused the side walls to twist and not set flat.

I primed with models with a tan paint and set about them with a variety of Pactra, Lifecolor, and Vallejo acrylic model paints as well as some oils.

conclusion

Reality In Scale has made two good looking model sheds. They can stand alone or enhance other structures. Each features impressive detail.

Fit problems mar the open shed. Once the glue sets and the assembly is strong, it can be whittled and sanded to nearly plumb.

These little model buildings have vast potential for "braille scale" modeling. They were fun to paint and I am happy with how they look. Recommended.

Reality in Scale products can be purchased directly from them, or from Michigan Toy. They may be available from other distributors but that was all a quick google search turned up. My thanks to Reality in Scale and Armorama for this review sample.