Fine Scale Miniatures (FSM) Franklin Watchworks Kit #JS-4
This kit was produced by George Sellios in 2001. For more information on FSM Kits, please check out his website.
I have chosen to build this kit on a separate diorama. It will not be included on the BURR Layout.
My primary reason for choosing to build this kit while building the BURR was to get some hands-on training in the art of scenery and weathering techniques. As you can see from the photo above, George absolutely knows how to weather and compose a scene.
What is in an FSM kit?
Included in a typical FSM kit is all of the building materials required for the kit, numerous castings, and the instructions. While that previous statement may seem obvious, let me explain each item in a bit more detail.
Building Materials - FSM kits are primarily wood kits. This kit came with 12 sizes of strip wood. Each size has it's own color coding. Of course you also have your laser cut wall pieces and even large blocks to be formed later. In addition to the wood, George includes multiple roofing materials, scale posters, signs, and newspapers, and even some dirt in a bag!
Castings - For those who are not familiar with FSM kits, you have to see the small metal castings to believe them. Most castings require almost no clean up. Each castings is very detailed and no two castings look alike. Each castings is produced in scale and has extraordinary detail. The picture below is an in-progress picture and does not do the castings justice. BTW, these are just some of the castings.
Instructions - As if the above was not enough, the instructions are absolutely amazing! This kit comes with five pages of instructions, nine pages of detailed figures and a color picture of the finished model. Each page of instructions measures 22" x 26" and contains many, many steps with illustrations. This is not a small kit! Not only do the instructions tell you how to build the kit, but they include detailed weathering instructions and suggested color combinations. The information pertains to the surrounding areas in addition to the structure itself.
Why did I choose to build this kit?
Once I have completed this kit, I fully expect to have a better understanding of quality craftsmanship and to have developed an eye for what is realistic to the eye in HO scale. I want to be able to apply what I learn from this kit to the general scenery on the BURR as well as the overall weathering standard for the BURR and all future modeling. My expectations aren't too high, are they?
What have you done so far?
One of the first steps is to paint a primer coat on the castings. The picture above is what some of the castings looked like after I primed them with Earth colored paint. Once the castings have been primed, I turned my focus to the windows, doors, and trim. These pieces were painted Depot Olive, followed by an ink wash, and then some dry-brushing of Aged White. Here is a picture of some of these components.
The next steps were to begin reinforcing the main walls of the building. This was done to prevent warpage when the walls were weathered. Once the walls had the appropriate support, I added individual nail holes to represent the work required to attach the clapboard to the walls. The walls were painted CN Grey with a Depot Green wainscoting on the bottom. Then they were brushed with the India ink wash and the next step is to dry brush them.
These first pictures are of the walls before they were stained with the wash. Obviously, the last picture on the right included the wash:
Once I had applied the wash, the final step for the walls were to dry brush the trim and glue it to the edges of the end walls. I also dry brushed the lower green trim and the frames of the windows. Here are some pictures of the dry-brushing:
The next step is to add the windows to their openings. Come back shortly for some pictures of the windows and doors in place!
...
Well, shortly is relative I suppose. It is now September 2004 and I have not posted any updates. Here are some interim pictures of my progress. This is not where I am now, just some pictures of what has transpired since the last update.
First off are some pictures of the main building:
As you can see I still need to figure out how to take good pictures. Sadly, I did not take any pictures of the rest of the sub structures. I do have one picture of the buildings finished:
Here is a picture of the first section of detail work that I have ever done:
I think it looks pretty good. The next step is to add the concrete parking lot and driveway.
Due to my reluctance to damage this model I first created a parking lot and driveway on a separate piece of plywood. This allowed me to learn the technique and also come up with what I feel is a better color for the driveway. Here is a picture of my second attempt. This is the one I created on the model itself:
As you can see in the upper left corner I have also started to create the scenery. I am starting in this corner and working in a clockwise manner. I hope that this way I can learn from my mistakes before I get to the front of the model. Here is a picture of where I am at now:
I think the first ten or so ties are OK, but the ties in the middle still need some help. Hopefully, I can get more pictures up later in the week. Also, I will be creating my first tree. I purchased the SuperTrees starter kit.
Revised: 09/20/2004