Just finished my first hybrid scratch built/paper model. It is a two stall, corrugated panel engine shed in blue. Based loosely on my memory of the round house at US Steel, Granite City Works. Not USS Blue, but blue enough. Back wall is my fantasy as are the side wall windows, but the narrow man door between roll up doors is there in the real thing. Would appreciate some constructive criticism of the finished product. Designed in CorelDraw and printed on matte presentation paper which was glued to 3/32" matte board (becuase that's what I have on hand), and then cut to size using the printed images as the cutting guide. Assembled with white glue then weathered with acrylic craft paints. Problems I want to avoid: Printing on paper - too flimsy and distorts when wet with glue. Will try mate photo paper next. The matte board also flexes when wet with glue and warps into non-straight panels. Maybe use plywood next time round. Anyone else working this way?
Use something else besides white glues. Use GLUE STICKS or RUBBER CEMENT. Brace the BACK side of your walls with BALSA, BASS WOOD or other small wood sticks to keep the wall STRAIGHT. Put your image on the blank wall, put the wall on a FLAT surface, put a book or something to weigh it down, and leave it there until it dries. I think your shed looks good.
Looks great for a background structure. Here's what I'd suggest for next time... first, leave the rusting and broken windows out. It looks derelict, and the rust isn't all that convincing. You should be able to weather it with powders or chalks like any other structure. As for the wavy walls, change adhesives as suggested, and for this one you can plant some weeds along the base to hide it. Also, don't forget to trim the closed door along the bottom so the track passes under it. Once you get the technique down, I'd love to see a tutorial with lots of pictures about your method.
Looks pretty good. I agree though about the walls; even some cardboard backing might help, and as for the rust. Just dull it down with a powder it should be fine. Nice job
