Here is my latest addition to the catalog... I've decided to do away with many of the smaller pieces (they don't sell well by themselves) and to focus more on kits. I have a few new ones that are just getting ready for the first pouring. This one is a favorite (because I NEEDED on like this!).



This particular unit is cast in RESIN, and will be available in Resin for the first 5 castings, at a price of $55 each. This doesn't include the Grandtline Windows however - but you can order them online at Walthers if so desired. Once these first five resin kits are complete, then I will begin to sell the kit in high strength dental plaster for $39.95 each, until the mold runs down (usually about 50-60 pourings).

Other new items are a "Middle Eastern Governement House" (works for either Afrika Corp or Iraqi Freedom) and a new European Road Section with Embankment and Trolly Pavings. More to come on the website.

I would be highly interested in user feedback... and I'm also looking for one or two "advanced" builders to do some reviews of a few of my kits.for publication here online and elsewhere... (free kit, but no cash!).. Slodder, Faust, Roadkill, Envar, Eagle.... ? Any takers? First come - first served!

Keith

G'day KFMagee, im interested in the middle eastern government house, got any pics? how much would it be in $aus, cheers

Gday KFMagee,

A couple of Observations. I know you say the Windows are a seperate Item but all the upstairs windows are sash windows and the downstairs one is a much later type. The upper windows all have ornate lintels and the bottom one doesn't. The first story windows seem a bit low as does the ground floor window (Especially considering the steps up ). The door doesn't seem to have a lintel at all.

HTH

Tony

Ola Keith

Nice lookin` building dude I like it you bring some really good stuff on the market.


I also feel very honoured to be mentioned as an advanced modeler Wich I still think I`m not at that level yet. But if I can help you out by testing an article you offer I will be more then glad to help you out and sure I will make a review of it

Let me know what you think of that or PM me and we`ll have a talk about it

GREAT HOUSE
ROBERTO

Keith, looking good my friend, I agree going for the kits is more worthwhile dan those small items, although you bring some nice stuff to the market.

About the review, yes off course I am willing to look in to your products and give a objective an honest opinion.




Hmmm, I hardly can call me that considering that I not a frequent builder (2 or 3 project a year is enough for me), but still if I can assist, gladly

If you need some info just PM or mail me

Keith,

that's an awesome building ! It looks to be quite big. This one would make a wonderful street scene I bet. Would love to see this building "In Action" on a dio one day...

I'm honoured that you mentioned the names of some of our members, including mine, for doing a review. Sure I would like to do a review on your products.... would like.....hmmmm would love that is. If you are interested, just pm or email me.

I would be highly interested in user feedback... and I'm also looking for one or two "advanced" builders to do some reviews of a few of my kits.for publication here online and elsewhere... (free kit, but no cash!)..

If you haven't already received enough offers to review your products I would like to throw my hat into the ring.

Thanks,

Keith, this is a very nice kit. I do however think that the window directly above the door is a bit low. If I were looking from the inside, this window would have to start right at the floor.

Actually, you may find that windows like this were there for symetrical reasons and may not be a room but light to the stairway. It was often the case that the stairway went straight up as you came in the front door! In european architecture, anything was possible!
One point, keith ....... maybe you could offer the windows as an optional extra package. Some people might not want to order from two different sources to get the one building!
Same goes for front door ......
But i think the house itself is brilliant ........ could cover so many different time eras ....... even modern. The one thing that stands out to me as unusual is the bottom window ...... It has no castings ..... usually the more visible areas would be more flambouyant. It makes the window look modern. Maybe the same could be said about the door frame...... small squibbles on an otherwise beautiful creation! Good luck with it!

Yes- the downstairs window is not from Grandtline (and that window actually DOES come with the kit). It is made by Plastic Historical Society and is from a packet called "Shoppe Windows - 1930's"... so they seemed appropriate to me for this purpose.

I don't disagree totally that the building could have been taller for more scale roominess, but I actually used a Custom Dioramics building that I plan to use nearby to create my floor layout. It's one of those "creative allowances" that looks right from a symetry point of view (kind of like the forced perspective employed by Disney to make "Main Street" look three floors tall, when it is only two. Shepard Payne makes this exact same analogy and recommendation in his book on building dioramas. Still, there is some mathimatical method behind the seeming madness....

I have calculated the window positions in height using the CTT 1:35 scale ruler (a great addition to any hobbyist!). Be aware that in 1:35 scale, these windows would be around 5 feet tall.... not optimal, but certainly not impossible or uncommon to have windows that run the major length of the wall.

The ground floor DOES indeed step up, but often (as in this case) the inside floor then would go back down. This was a design concept intended to keep rain, draft, mud, and muck from flowing into houses on busy streets that didn't have adequate drainage. At any rate, the downstairs floor is just over 9 feet in scale height, while the second is at 8" and the third floor is again at 7", with a total scale height of 25 feet to the upper dormer. I plan to add a mansard roofline to the finished pieces, which will further "heighten" the overall effect, and make it appear to be a 36- 38' tall building.

As for the door lintel, while not clearly visible in this shot, there is a stone entrance way that is damaged and missing stone and features.... it is simply sheared off as is much of the door frame interior itself.

[quote]A couple of Observations. I know you say the Windows are a seperate Item but all the upstairs windows are sash windows and the downstairs one is a much later type. The upper windows all have ornate lintels and the bottom one doesn't. The first story windows seem a bit low as does the ground floor window (Especially considering the steps up ). The door doesn't seem to have a lintel at all.[/qote]

Also, not a bad idea to include the Grandtline window casings... but I just need to find a steady supplier, and of course that would elevate the price (I used 3 pairs at $4.95 per pair), so maybe I should offer these as an option? Certainly there are those out there who would feel comfortable creating their own window treatments rather than spend an extra $15, right?

Thoughts?

I agree, let the modeler deside if or if not he wants to build his own windows

Also, a thought just occurred to me in reviewing the photo. There actually is no "door"... just a doorway. The "green" area you see through the door is the color of the inside wall that is visible through the doorway.

I have done a lot of work on the demo model to detail the unit, and I will post updated pictures with curtains, rafters, wiring, bricks and misc. debris shorty, to give more ideas on how this piece could be used.

Thanks for the feedback!

Wow - gone for a day and miss this thread

Keith, very nice building. First impression is great wonderful well crafted and it would be a great addition. Its a good subject one you don't see to often. Three story row houses aren't done much. A+.

Size/scale wise I think it's ok. I like the 'shrink' as you go up idea.

Couple of things from a critical eye stand point. I say this not having done any research (as you have done). The door frame looks a bit 'naked' on top as compared to the windows (is that the lintel you mention??). I realize the window frames are 'add ons' There isn't much room for scracth building a door header.
The stoop railings look a smidge low.

I'd also say - neither of these points would sway me away from purchasing it.

Okay - so we have Slodder, Faust, Ronny, and Eagle all set to be my test evaluators.... What say I send out the following:

Slodder - Warehouse Ruin
Faust - Resin Row House
Eagle - Middle Eastern Gov. Building
Roadkill - European Urban Road Section
Plastic Battle - Small European Bridge

Thanks for volunteering. Hey - we can have our own little mini "campaign"! I have slodder's address, but need eveyone else to email me at [email protected] with your shipping address!

Keith,

Wonderful ! I'm looking forward to this. My adress should be in your mail by now !

thanks for the confidence !

Same here Keith, mail is underway

I third that

Mail is on the way
Thanks dude

.......... and I shall fourth that!
thanks very much keith for considering me to review one of your products. I am very flattered and hopefully i can do it justice! Address is already sent!
8)

Addresses received... now let me pour the goodies and put em in the mail... all will be marked "Professional Evaluation Samples", for the purposes of customs. I am re-tooling the Mid-eastern Government Building, but it should be done in a few days - so that one may arrive later than the rest. Enjjoy - and I look forward to seeing the reviews!

This gives me some extra time to complete the SPLASH Dio.... And when it is there I can give full commitment to this one !!

Looking forward to this very much. Thanks fot the confidence in us guys again !