Industrial Gate
Mfg. ID: 87-0002
Media: Resin, ceramic
Scale: 1/87 (HO)

Introduction

Add On Parts of Belgium makes resin and ceramic models of accessories, ammunition, bases, dioramas and upgrade sets in 1/35, 1/72 and 1/87 (HO), and they publish books. This model is their Industrial Gate in 1/87.

Industrial Gate

Add On Parts packs this kit in a tab locking top-opening box. A paper safety seal secures the contents. A photograph of the assembled gate is the box art.

Inside are:

2 x ceramic posts
4 x four resin parts

They are loose yet protected by Styrofoam peanuts. Each ceramic gate post is modeled with cracks and chipping, plus bolt detail for the sign posts. The gray resin parts are both gates molded as a single piece on a pour block, both sign posts molded together on a pour block, and the overhead industry sign. Removing the sign posts looks like it will be challenging.

The resin sign appears to have a few tiny pockmarks. Each signpost has nut and bolt detail cast onto it. The gate has good detail although there are two small light spots which appear to be air bubbles that did not pock the surface. There is no molded line simulating the ends of each gate where they close together. The gates attach into grooves in the gate posts.

No assembly nor painting instructions are included. For those of you who have not painted ceramic/plaster/Hydrocal model before, please see How to Assemble, Paint & Weather Hydrocal Structure Kit by Downtown Deco in the summary area below. While the ceramic parts in this kit are small, they soak up paint like a sponge. This kit will provide you good experience for your next and bigger ceramic/plaster/Hydrocal model.

Assembly

Very straightforward: glue the gate between the posts. Simple. However, if you intend to mount the sign then things get tricky. The sign has a thick cast block behind it. I spent about 45 minutes sanding it to almost the thickness of the sign. The sign is held aloft by two "U" channels. They, too, are cast on thick pour blocks. Even with my razor saw they were difficult to remove. I glued them to the back of the posts and then glued the sign atop those.

Nothing models a plaster (concrete) post better than a plaster model. I dunked them into a wash of IA (Ink & Alcohol) stain I use to weather wood. The resin pieces were painted with Pactra, Polly Scale and Life Color.

I don't have any pleasing signage for the marquee sign board so I left it blank. That completed the model.

Conclusion

This simple kit can create a good looking model for the entrance of your industrial area. Even though it is scaled to 1/87 it could be used for pedestrian entrances in larger scales.

Casting is good. While there are two minor bubbles in the gate I think paint will hide them. Making the gate posts ceramic is far superior to pouring them in resin. I am concerned that casting the sign supports directly to their pour block will make removing them difficult.

I enjoyed assembling this model. It was quick and easy and should enhance a diorama or railway layout. Recommended!