1:35 Little Shed

Little shed — an accessory for a diorama 1:35 (MAiM)

This item is a diorama accessory, not a kit of a vehicle or an aircraft. It represents a small shed, that is, a simple outbuilding for tools, firewood or feed, of the kind found in every yard. In 1:35 scale it is the type of element that gives a scene credibility faster than another model of equipment would.

Where the accessory suits

A little shed is rewarding precisely because it does not take up much room. It fits into the corner of a base, by a fence, against the wall of a farm or behind a vehicle, where it fills the role of a second plane and gives a scene depth. It works in a village setting and in an urban outskirts setting, in a rear area and in a civilian vignette with figures. It is also easily turned into a storytelling element: a half-open door, tools leaning against it and scattered crates suggest at once what is going on in the scene.

Building and painting tips

First wash the parts in lukewarm soapy water and let them dry, so that the paint holds well. Small castings are joined with super glue, plastic parts with ordinary modeling cement. Wood looks best in layers: a light base, a darker glaze drawn along the direction of the boards and, at the end, a fine dry brush on the edges. Darken the roof and the lower parts with a wash and add pigments, so that the structure does not look new. Mask the transition to the terrain with soil, grass and a little clutter — that is the detail which decides whether a structure sits on a base.

Who the accessory is for

• For builders of dioramas and smaller vignettes in 1:35 scale
• For modelers who need an element for the second plane of a scene
• For figure painters putting a civilian or farm setting together
• For beginners in dioramas — a small structure is a rewarding first project

The accessory is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and other accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.