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Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day

We started this project towards the end of 2018. And yes, it has taken us over a year to finish!

“Well, what took you so long?” we hear an intrigued reader asks. We’re not sure either, but you see Rome wasn’t built in a day.

“Of course not! But you’re not building Rome, are you?” You must be the smartest person we’ve spoken with today because, yes, we have been building Rome!

Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
This saga began when we decided to build this Pax Romana kit. It consisted of a Roman villa, and Roman and Celtic figures.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
The Roman villa is made from laser cut MDF and card.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
The laser cut parts fitted together superbly and was assembled it in no time.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
It is one thing to know that there are 109 figures in the kit, and another to see what 109 figures look like in flesh. We were very tempted to put the figures back in the box and pretend we never opened it.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
After getting over the shock of seeing the number of figures there are to paint, we got to work. We glued the weapons and shields to the figures and arranged them onto cardboard ready for priming.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
Once primed and painted, the figures were varnished with a layer of dark wash. Here is a before-and-after picture. The figure on the left is without the dark varnish, and the figure on the right shows what it looks like after varnishing. The same colours were used for the two figures except for their hair and swords.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
Here is another before-and-after picture. The same colours were used for both figures except for their hair.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
Another before-and-after picture. Same colours were used on both figures except for the shields.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
On completing the figures, we went on to design the layout of our battle scene. Once we marked out the location for roads, garden, and a river, we built the individual elements.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
Here is the river. We first painted some textures onto the base before adding simulated water.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
Next, we made some sheep. We have seen a few “you must be crazy” faces when we told customers that these are supposed to be sheep.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
Here are the finished version. We still get a few “you must be crazy” faces when we say these are sheep.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
Finally, all 109 figures were added to the battle scene.
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits
Roman diorama Rome villa Italeri Model Shop Broughty Ferry Space Craft Dundee Scotland Scale Kits

Construction of EM-4 Universal Spacecraft

In the search for a quick and simple project, we set our sights on EM-4 Miniatures’ Universal Spacecraft.

  1. This kit comes with 12 spaceships, each with its own unique design.

2) For our project, we split the spaceships into six groups. Each group was painted with its own colour scheme.

3) Once painted, the models were vanished with a layer of dark wash to enhance the details of the ships.

Construction of 1/72 Spitfire MkIa

Spitfire MkIa Airfix Starter Set Dundee Model Shop Scotland Fife Broughty Ferry Hobby

Taking a welcome break from painting millions of minute Roman figures, we are building a Spitfire!

Spitfire MkIa Airfix Starter Set Dundee Model Shop Scotland Fife Broughty Ferry Hobby
1) First things first – the sprues are given a quick rinse and primed in white.
Spitfire MkIa Airfix Starter Set Dundee Model Shop Scotland Fife Broughty Ferry Hobby
2) Inside the cockpit – the pilot sitting smartly ready for take-off.
Spitfire MkIa Airfix Starter Set Dundee Model Shop Scotland Fife Broughty Ferry Hobby
3) The plane is assembled.
Spitfire MkIa Airfix Starter Set Dundee Model Shop Scotland Fife Broughty Ferry Hobby
4) A dark green base coat is painted.
Spitfire MkIa Airfix Starter Set Dundee Model Shop Scotland Fife Broughty Ferry Hobby
5) A layer of dark earth-brown is added to create the iconic camouflage.
Spitfire MkIa Airfix Starter Set Dundee Model Shop Scotland Fife Broughty Ferry Hobby
6) Finally, markings are added to the plane.
Spitfire MkIa Airfix Starter Set Dundee Model Shop Scotland Fife Broughty Ferry Hobby
Our Spitfire is complete!

Construction of Miniart Greek Hoplite

Our latest completed model is the Greek Hoplite – a common citizen-soldiers that can quickly take up arms to go to war. They are typically armed with a spear, shield, and sword.

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

1) Included in the kit are the sprues for the 1:16 figure, armour, weapons, decals and a base.

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

2) Here is the partially assembled model ready for priming.

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

3) The skirt was shaded with three colours, here is the finished outcome that we are particularly proud of.

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

4) This model came with some decals for the shield, but some details on the artwork are missing. For example the edge of the shield had to be drawn on and painted by hand.

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

5) Once all the parts were painted, they were varnished with a wash. Various shades were applied, for example, a flesh tone was applied to the skin and a purple/blue tone to the armour.

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

6) Another detail that was not included were the ropes inside the shield, lining the spear, and attached to the sword. To make the rope, we plaited together three threads (to add thickness) and glued onto the various parts using superglue.

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland
Details of the rope shown on the inside of the shield

7) Finally, we stuck the figure on to the base and added vegetation.

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

8) Here is our finished model:

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

Miniart Greek Hoplite Space Craft Broughty Ferry Dundee Model Shop Scotland

Construction of Microace Five-Story Pagoda

Recently we worked on the Five-Story Pagoda from Microace. We don’t sell any Microace kits in the shop (sorry to disappoint), but it so nice that we had to show it off here.

This 1/250 kit consists of all you need to make your own mini Japanese garden. It comes with plastic sprues for the garden structures and seeds to grow the plants in the garden. In our built we decided against planting the seeds because keeping things alive, in general, isn’t one of our forte.

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

1) Included in the kit are: a base to hold the scenery, a pagoda, a bridge, the entrance and surrounding walls, and seeds.

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft
Base and sceneries

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft
Coloured sprues of the pagoda

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft
Planting seeds and basing materials

2) We completed the main model as per the instructions. Instead of planting seeds in the area under bridge we decided to model a river.

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

3) To start off, we covered the river base with texture paint.

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

4) Next, we painted over the texture paint to create a realistic riverbed.

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

5) The riverbed was sealed with a layer of varnish then rocks and grass were added to the riverbank.

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

6) An even layer of Javis Simulated Water was poured onto the base and left to dry.

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

7) Here is the finished model.

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft

Microace Pagoda Model Shop Dundee Scotland Space Craft