On the workbench now is the primary structure for the LAJ extension. To be specific, the warehouse. My primary goal was to pick a subject that was representative of the Central Manufacturing District. I wanted it to be what you’d expect to see. I wanted typical and ordinary. After some online surfing and research, I settled on the subject above, located at the intersection of 50th Street and Gifford Avenue. Adding to the experience is that fact that I’ve been there. I’ve stood on the exact corner this Google image was taken.
If you want to move beyond being a casual recreationalist, you need to develop a comfort level with scratch-building. Doing so drops your hobby costs immensely and it’s the only way to create the prototype subjects you need. If you model the modern era, the structures are fairly simple.
I like the understated elegance of this building. Yes, it’s “just” a warehouse but back in the day they sprinkled on a bit of art deco ornamentation. It’s not just a box. Getting actual dimensions is easy. We know the personnel door is 82 inches tall. We know the freight door is 4 feet off the ground. We can prorate everything else from there and be good enough for government work.
Here’s a real time photo taken earlier today in the midst of contruction. A: The primary tools you’ll need are a heavy blade. I use box cutters. You’ll need an angle and Tamiya white putty to fill gaps. B: I use MEK for adhesive, pour it in an old lid and apply it with a ratty brush. C. The core of the structure is 1×3 PVC dimensional lumber picked up in the lumber aisle of The Home Depot. The structure facing is .060″ styrene glued to the PVC core with MEK. D: I buy the styrene facing in 24″ x 48″ sheets on Amazon. Most of the features were cut with the heavy blade from styrene sheet. The smaller pieces around the windows are Evergreen styrene strips.
Here it is sitting loosely in place on the layout. Note how the art deco elements on the far left add so much to the look.
Another view from the other end.