Three Very Unique and Diverse Plastic Models

Yes, I will admit that these three plastic models are unique and perhaps a bit weird. Nonetheless, the odder they are the more desirable they are to me. I shouldn’t get my salivary glands worked up, because I have yet to located a supplier and or a reasonable price product.

1. 1:12-Scale Japanese Squat Toilet Plastic Model Kit:
A complete squat toilet in 1:12 scale. You have to bring your own dirt and grime. The castings have a porcelain finish that looks realistic. The finished model/diorama makes for a very realistic adaptation of a Japanese loo.

2. 1:1-Scale Cup Noodle, Including the Ramen and Toppings:
This 1:1 scale model is a unique representation of “life” sized cup of noodles. Did you realize that there are more noodles on top than the bottom? There is a lift out front panel that allows you to see contents of the cup and there are additions for the top.

3. 1:1-Scale Sushi Model:
This kit includes 366 pieces, which makes sense considering that at the base of most Sushi consists of a mound of rice.

Your Junk is my Greeble

So often after studying a nearly completed piece, I say to myself, that piece needs something to add interest to it. I do have some left over parts from other projects, but the first place I typically look for something interesting is my styrene bits jar. Most of the scraps are great for filling in gaps or repairing some broken part, but there are also treasures in that "greeble" jar. Some are used right out of jar. Others recieve a little prodding with a file or knife. They are then glued to the piece and piece now looks lot more interesting.

Build a Chicken Coop Out of a 6 x 6”Square of Cardstock Challenge

I was rummaging through my windows and doors resource box looking for just right set of windows for a project I was working on and I came across this set of windows. I believe it was a Polo greenhouse kit (perhaps not). I took notice of the casting and I thought chicken coop. I finished my exploration, dropped the casting back into the box and went on to something else.

The other day after bringing in an item that was needed for my home I took note of a 150 x 150 mm piece of a 1mm cardstock. It had been part of the packaging. As always I grabbed it with the idea of storing away with my “paper” resources, but then decided that I might have need of it for a project. The project; I cannot say I remember what it was. I must have come-up with another solution for the project and so here again is that square of cardstock.

The structure will measure scale five foot wide by fifteen feet long. It will be topped with a flat shed roofed that will be eight foot high slopping down to seven feet. I will use the slightly modified plastic casting for the windows.

The challenge: to build the structure and its components from this one piece of cardstock. I believe I can get the sub-walls, doors, roof, flooring, and clapboard siding out of the one piece of cardstock. That is the challenge.

To be quite honest I am a little concerned on whether I will enough clapboard material to cover the whole structure. We will see. And of course I will need material the foundation and the roof itself.

Two Structures from the Scrap Bin

I have just completed two small structures from scraps from one of my wood resource boxes. This particular box contains odds, ends, bits and pieces from other wood projects.

Project 1:Tool Shed

The shed was created using a piece of left-over board and batten, a small slab of scribed sheet, embossed stone sheet, and some strip wood. The structure measures five by seven feet in HO scale.

Satisfaction Scale: 3 out 5.

---

Project 2: Privy

This privy was created from a few small left-over slabs of balsa wood. I had forgotten how nice balsa takes to distressing and weathering.This structure measures four by four foot in HO scale.

Satisfaction Scale: 4 out 5.

In completing a scene there always seems to be room from another small structure. Now that I have several small structures under my belt I am ready for a larger project. Keeping with the last two structures I will use materials from my collection of resource (scrap boxes).

I am considering a false front structure to house a clock works business. Although I have enough wood for the front and back in my bits box I don’t have enough for the sides, however I do have a left-over sheets of stone material and form-core board. It looks like this structure will be built using a mix of materials. It ought to be an interesting and satisfactory build.

More of the Duke of Roxburghe’s Library

Formally I made a post that listed the texts of magic that were part of the Dukes collection. What I didn’t mention was the type of books the Duke typically collected. “His grace was fond of poetry, chivalry, history and theology. He collected rare exquisite illuminated manuscripts, editions of the very first printed books produced in the workshops of men of such genius as William Caxton of London and Valdarfer of Venice. Old books delighted him. At the start of 19th century his library was considered one of wonders of the world”

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke, 2004.

Scratch Built Brick Sub-station

This scratch built gem is built from plastic card and it sure puts my recent attempt of a paper pump house to shame. Scale drawings, assembly instructions and photos are included in this easy to read how-to article.

Building Miniature Ebony and Rosewood Boxes

This post is a bit further a field than most of my posts, but not totally out of my field of interests. Although I haven't made boxes this small before I have built some hardwood boxes. What really caught my attention was how small the authors boxes are. If it is small you have my attention. These are such small and exquisite examples of the craft that this video deserves a watch.

Four Sub-collection Directories

Here are three sub-collections that perhaps I should have created a lables for:

1. Dreams
These posts are either fictional recorded dreams or posts that mention dreams.

2. A Host of Characters
These posts represent descriptions for charcters in role playing games.

3. Magic
These posts are fictional magic spells or rather mention magic.

4. Libraries

Ravings of an Old Fool or a Prophecy from the Raven King

Vinculus, the street magician of London, delivered these remarks to Jonathan Strange while he was traveling through the country.

“Two magicians shall appear in England.
The first shall fear me; the second shall long to behold me;
The first shall be governed by thieves and murders;
The second shall conspire at his own destruction.
The first shall bury his heart in the dark wood beneath the snow,
yet shall feel ache;
The second shall see his dearest possession in the enemy’s hand…”

Are these the ravings of lunatic or a prophecy of what is to come?

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke, 2004

The Pump House

I used 1mm thick card stock for the sub-walls and embossed brick paper for the outer walls. The pump house is braced from within with box-wood strips and includes a diamond plate floor, also embossed paper. The roof is a piece of card stock with a square of industrial paper towel affixed with some black paint. While the paint was still wet I sprinkled a table spoon of baking soda on the surface. Once the paint had dried I knocked off the excess baking soda that had not been absorbed by the paint and touched up the areas that had not absorbed any paint. The two windows and door were scratch built. I tried my hand at representing a double-hung window.

The painting of the structure is where everything fell apart. I should have left well enough alone, but I went back with a brush too laden with paint. I see there isn’t too much you can do when too much paint has been applied to embossed paper. So, I switch to plan B and tried to rescue the structure by adding more paint and weathering to depict a building in the early stages of neglect.

Satisfaction Scale: 1 out of 5.

A Painstakingly Crafted Village Perches Atop a Wooden Tower

You really have to see this miniature scratch built scale model. Ognyan Stefanov created this utopic village, aptly named “Skyville". It is modeled in 1/87 scale and took two years to complete. The amount of detail is astounding.

Ghost in the Shell 2017-2

Major, is the first successful cybernetic being. She has full synthetic body with a functioning human brain. She is able to perform super-human maneuvers. She is assigned to section 9 to fight the anarchist who has targeted the scientists at Hanka Precision Instruments. But what happens when you are forced to fight the criminal element from within your own organization?

There have been other Cyberbogs like herself. All of the experiments did not go as planned. Major is controlled through the use of drugs and reprogramming. There is another who would not be controlled. He has since defected and as far as Hanka Robotics is concerned a renegade. As soon as he is located he will be terminated. And terminated he will be, but is any way to eliminate a consciousness?

Screenshots are from Ghost in the Shell, 2017

The Library of Hurtfew Abby

“The library of Hurtfew Abby was dearer to its possessor than all of his riches. Norrell constructed a beautiful jewel box to house his hearts treasure. The bookcases which lined the walls on the room were built of English woods and resembled Gothic arches laden with carvings. There were carvings of leaves (dried and twisted leaves, as if the season artist had intended to represent autumn,) carvings of intertwined roots and ivy-all wonderfully done. But the wonder was nothing to the wonder of the books.

The student of magic learns that there are books about magic and books of magic. Both are available, the former for two or three guineas from any reputable book seller. The later are extremely rare and can be had for above the price of rubies. At Hurtfew all the walls were lined with bookcases and all the shelves were filled with books; books of magic.”

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

This is my second reading of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Although there are a couple subjects I am interested in, these subjects that I somehow over looked or gave them a very lite coverage, I am sure to find other nuggets along the way.

Two Sources for HO Scale Wall Sections

It takes time to layout window and door openings on wood and plastic siding.This process can be time consuming and tedious.

I am planning a new flag stop on my Bath River layout that will include several small one floor structures set side-by-side. I can do away with most of the materials for the side walls this way. I have been planning on doing some kit-bashing and have been looking around for ideas.

Sometimes you just want to grab a prefab wall section and go with it. Recently came across two sources of ecomonical prefab wall sections:

1. FOS Scale Models:
FO Scale Models offers a varied line of products, but what caught my eye was lazer-cut clapboard wall sections. These sections doors and window openings are deigned to fit Tichy windows and doors..

2. Rail Service Models
Look under the HO Injection Molded Kitbasher Parts link and you will find stone wall sections and some detail parts that should make the building process so much eaiser.

The Demise of Juan Ponce De Leon at the Fountain of Youth

JUAN PONCE DE LEON:

DREAMER AND SEARCHER FOR THE FOUNTAIN OF PERPETUAL YOUTH.

(1460-1521

"The tropic breeze fanned a fairy tale, a tale of the sheltering palms,
Where the grimy sea cow sunned herself, in the bay where the ground-swell calms.
It sang a song of a fountain clear in the depth of the tropic glade,
Where the bubbles sparkle clear and cool, o’er the rocks of brown and jade.
It spoke of the waters healing, which to bathe in meant joyous youth,
To the gray-haired and decrepit, with wrinkles and hollowed tooth.
And the breeze came to the ears of men, who believed it to be no lie.
So the agéd De Leon chimeras chased, in the land where he was to die."

“God’s will be done!” cried he. “Blessed be His holy name!”

"In sorrow and with downcast faces, the Spaniards turned about, and wearily, dejectedly, mournfully, wended their way back to the camp of the friendly Olatheta.

The good Knight Ponce de Leon traveled through much of this beautiful land of Florida, fought many a stiff fight with the native inhabitants, and finally sailed back to the isle of Porto Rico, bearing marvelous tales of this land of promise, but no water which would restore the aged to youth and beauty. He journeyed to Spain, was received right graciously by the King, and came back to his island home, expecting to remain there in peaceful pursuits, until his demise.

Yet, still hoping to find that mystical and fabled fountain, he finally fitted out two caravels, and, with a larger force than had followed his banner in the first expedition, resolved to again explore the western coast of beautiful Florida.

This journey was to be his undoing. At every point naked savage’s fought desperately against his mailed warriors. In one of these encounters he was attempting to rescue one of his comrades, when he was hit by an arrow in the thigh. The barb penetrated the protecting armor to the bone. He was rescued by his faithful followers and was carried to his ship, weak and fainting from the loss of blood. It is said by some, that, although the arrow was withdrawn, a part of the arrow-head, which was of flint, did not come wholly away.

Suffering and delirious, the brave old navigator was borne to the harbor of Matanzas in Cuba, where was a settlement which he, himself, had founded. His adventurous companions lifted the pallet upon which he lay on the upper deck, where the cooling breezes might alleviate his fever, lowered it into a boat, and, when the shore was reached, carried him tenderly into an unfinished house, which he was having constructed. They brought his suit of mail, his banner, and his sword, placing them around him so that he might feel at home. Delirium now seized the care-worn explorer, and thus he lay for days, as, in fancy he saw himself a boy again, climbing the bold rocks of the Sierras after young eagles, contending in the courtyard with his brothers, or chasing the brown deer in the leafy forests.

Then the camp and battle scenes passed before his eager vision; voyages over vast seas among beauteous islands; expeditions through palms and moss-grown mimosas; journeying to the villages of brown-skinned natives.

One night, peace came to the old warrior, and there was weeping and sorrow among his staunch and battle-scarred companions.

They carried the body of the good knight to the Isle of Porto Rico, where they first gave him a sepulcher within the castle, but eventually his ashes were deposited beneath the high altar of the Dominican church in San Juan de Puerto Rico, where they rested for more than three hundred years."

Famous Discoverers and Explores of America, Charles Haven Ladd Johnston, transcribed by Project Gutenberg

---

Ponce de León and the Fountain of Youth, Men of the West