1:35 Round manhole cover

1:35 Round manhole cover - a round manhole cover in 1:35 scale

This is a diorama accessory in 1:35 scale, not a model of a vehicle. It stands for a round sewer manhole cover, that is an element set in reality into a roadway, a sidewalk, a yard or a factory surface. The shape is round according to the name; the size and the number of pieces are stated on the box.

Why a cover does a scene good

A manhole cover is one of the most effective ways of bringing a model roadway to life. A continuous area of paving or asphalt looks empty and artificial; as soon as a technical element appears in it, the area immediately gains both scale and a reason to exist. A round cover also works in a scene as a point of composition that can break up a monotonous surface and draw the eye where the author wants it. Historically it is a timeless element - round covers have accompanied city infrastructure since the nineteenth century, so it suits interwar, wartime and present-day views without having to worry about period accuracy.

Tips for placing it in the scene

• Set the cover flush with the surrounding surface - a raised element gives away that it was added later.
• Around the circumference there is usually a joint or a ring of paving in reality, which is worth attention.
• Place the cover away from the axis of the main action so that it completes the scene rather than overpowering it.
• In industrial scenes a position at the foot of a building or in the drainage line of a yard suggests itself.

Who the accessory is for

• Builders of city and industrial dioramas in 1:35 scale.
• Modelers who are refining the surfaces of roadways and paved areas.
• Anyone interested in small infrastructure details independent of period.