1:35 Roof tile (beaver tail)

The real subject

The beaver-tail tile is one of the oldest forms of fired roof tile. It is flat, without waves and without interlocks, and its lower edge is rounded into the shape it owes its name to. It is laid in two layers or with a large overlap, so the roof looks like a fine scaly surface. On country cottages, farm buildings and town houses in central Europe it lasted in service for decades, which is why it suits dioramas from the First World War to the present day.

What the accessory is for

This is a modeling accessory for building a diorama in 1:35 scale. It will serve on the roofs of cottages and farm buildings, on shelters, but mainly on damaged structures, where an exposed part of the roof frame and scattered tiles tell the story of the scene.

Building and painting tips

• Lay the tiles from the bottom up; each row covers the joint of the row below it
• Wash and degrease the parts before painting, otherwise the paint holds less well on the smooth surface
• Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the remainder
• Liven the brick base up with several shades and a dark wash in the joints
• Leave a few tiles shifted or cracked; a regular roof looks artificial

Who it is for

For builders of dioramas and display scenes who want a roof with depth and do not want to substitute a flat molding or a paper pattern for it.

The building, the base, the paints and the glue are not included in the delivery, unless stated otherwise.