This is a project that is over 13 years in the making. And this maybe a long post...

I started the Eastern Express BA-6 kit in 2003. Then abandoned it, well it sucked. Fast forward 13 years. I hate leaving unfinished projects so I get back into it and here is some progress...

Now to the dio: Here is the layout.



You may have noticed the AT gun, it is the ICM kits - yes I am a glutton for punishment. Here are some progress pics of it.

More work on the base"

Raised area for the house:


House facade design - lots more work to do here!


Working the roof angles:


The trim on the house will be based on this photo:


I am working with Chris Benshoof of Masterpiece Models to 3D print out the gingerbread. Here is a CAD drawing of our progress:

Beautiful work John just beautiful !!!

You're gonna hafta hook me up with all that gingerbread in the future , is it going to be a saleable group of items or is it just being made for the project ?

Thanks dude.

Commercial prospects for this project have yet to be determined. I guess if there is enough interest to make it a financially feasible, then it may become available but as of right now, it is just for my project.

Well , if they go commercial put me down for a pant load of them .
That gingerbread would be invaluable to a scratcher , big time saver over trying to make yer own .

nice work. Well done on the scratch built work. this looks really nice.

This has all the makings of an epic dio. The interior work on the vehicle is a stand alone project and yet it is only a fraction of what is in store here. Love the concept. Nice to see more actual Russians making dios of Russian-centric subjects. Something maybe the rest of us can find great references from.
J

Okay the parts are available as 3D prints - not resin cast as of right now, so while not cheap they are very detailed and unfortunately the only deal in town if you want something like this. Nothing stopping you from casting them for personal use if you so desire, just not for resale.


https://www.shapeways.com/shops/falconminiatures

Wow, amazing work on all the scratchbuilt details and the gingerbread woodwork! I am looking forward to see how it all turns out, I am sure it will be stunning.

Corner column is designed and ready for printing:


A mock-up of the house wall:

Isn't 3-d printing the bomb? Looks great!

It is kewl. I am not sure I would want to do this project without it. It can be done, but the need for total symmetry would make it difficult.

More and more, I'm seeing that I'm going to have to get heavily into 3D modeling once I take delivery on the 3D printer from the Kickstarter program I backed, if only to be able to make custom greeblies and details for models.

Some progress. Glued up some of the shapeways parts, the column is still just blue-tacked, it will get added last. I am still waiting on the gingerbread for the eves and the edge of the roof.



I am also using these posts with some brass wire and PE for an Iron fence.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/5APQP9SJL/1-35-railing-set?optionId=59716079




This is the inspiration photo - not 100% as I had to space the windows out a bit more, but I think its really close!

BRILLIANT!!!
J

More Progress. Most of the house is now completed. Still needs roof slates, downspouts, and roof edge gingerbread.

Working on roof slates using Diorama Debris' molds. Sure wish they were twice as large... First step is apply debubblizer. Then I load a monoject syringe (with the lumen of the tip increased) with OrthoStone (A harder and whiter type of plaster). Then working on a vibarator I fill the mold cavities with plaster. when partially set I clean off the excess with a spatula.

Beauty work John , the Ba is brilliantly reconstructed from a stinker kit , what a wonderful morph .
Be careful , tho I know you already know this those slates are deadly fragile ........ but the end result is just too good .
I painted my slates with FolkArt craft store 936 barn wood acrylic water base paint .
Then washed them with Humbrol matt 31 slate grey .
Really makes the slate detail come out .
I'm using DAP plaster with a coat of sheet rock mud on the backs .
Any other Diodebris products going into this ?
I've used the Gothic arches and the brick wall with wall caps as well as cobbles and curb stones .

Keep it going John lookin real goooooood .

Hey dude, yeah the brick foundation is made from the Brick wall sections. I also have the 1/2 slate starters for the eves.

Cool ...............................

Xmas eve or New Years eve ....................

either, or neither...

Tiles in action!

The roof edge gingerbread. I was short two pieces so now I have to wait 2 weeks for more...

Primer applied, what do you think?