Brian’s been back in touch with his HOn3 kit bash:

“Hi Al, hope all is well with you.

As promised, another write up on one of my builds: Sierra West build (HOn3)

A friend in Durban (RSA) about 1000 kms up the east coast from me, visited my layout here in Knysna and did not have enough time to see it all and asked if he could visit again the next day to see what he missed on the first day.

It was here that he asked me multiple questions on my build technique on all my buildings and on my layout.

He proceeded to ask me if I would be prepared to build one of his kits that he obtained.

His excuse was that he wanted to use the built up model as an example to follow when building his own models.

I agreed to build it (in a trade off) for him and 75 hours later, the results can be seen below.

When the kit arrived, I did as I alway do, open up the box, read the instruction book and then check the contents.

My excitement soon turned into dismay as there was about 50 to 60% of the kit missing.

I phoned my friend in Durban and he gave me an explanation as to why there was so much missing.

I told him that he shouldn’t worry about it and said that i will continue to scratch/ kit build his limited run kit.

I would supplement the missing parts from my “bits box”

Below is the photo on the box that I had to use as an example of what was needed. I did some research on the internet but to no avail as to any finding photos of the built up kit.

So, let the fun begin.

After reading and studying the instructions 3 times, I decided that I had to build the top level structure first as that would give me the correct size for the bottom part of the 2 story structure.

The kit was supposed to have stone and brick walls on the bottom structure but those were completely missing. I decided to use Northeastern Scale scribed siding for the four walls.

Now I have a structure to work on.

Fortunately the walls and roof casting for the side building was in the kit.

I was able to to find enough windows of the correct size as well as doors that fitted the doorways. (From my own castings)

I mixed up a wall colour that closely matched the photo, painted the building, doors, windows and weathered them accordingly.

Unfortunately the chain link fence was also missing, I decided to make and wood fence and weather it up a bit to look as if it has been there for a long time. I salvaged bits and pieces from my “bits box” to use in this area.

Next was adding tar paper to the roof. It has to be weathered as tar paper would look in real life. I use masking tape cut into strips and started the layers from the bottom up.

Once done, I painted on quick set Alcolin (white) wood glue over the whole roof and let it dry for 24 hours.

It was then painted using acrylic grimy black and this gave me the old and worn look. I added a few patches here and there where the roof had been repaired.

The HO gauge track in front is just a guide and will be replaced with HOn3 track.

I used the resin shingle roof supplied in the kit, painted and weathered it accordingly. I also weathered the sign as well.

Details was added to the platform and deck in front of the door of the HOn3 kit bash. (ignore the track in front).

Next was the addition of the front porch also missing from the kit.

Note the patches on the porch roof where a few leaks were fixed.

The boss thanked the worker below for repairing the leaking roof.

An Ariel view of the diorama showing the addition of a tree behind the fence. An HOn3 flat car being loaded in front of the platform.

The final photo of the completed diorama with all the weathering done.

Plus/minus 75 hours of building excluding the time taken moulding a few of the details that were added that I did not have readily available at the time.

A write up and photos (of the ‘trade off kit’) as I build it will appear here in the near future. It is Fine Scale Miniature Seafood Emporium.

Kind regards

Brian
The HOn3 guy in Knysna RSA”

A big thank you to Hall of Fame member, Brian for sharing his HOn3 kit bash.

I do love his building style – it has bag of chararcter.

That’s all for this time my friends.

And if Brian has inspired you to make a start, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.