1:48 Ornamental grid II.

An ornamental grille in 1:48 scale for building dioramas

An ornamental grille in 1:48 scale is a scenic item for dioramas and display cases. It represents a wrought grille of the kind you know from the windows, gates and railings of older buildings, and it serves to fill out the setting around the main model. The set is not a model kit; it is a building block of a scene, seated into the groundwork or into the wall of a building.

What the accessory suits

In 1:48 scale a scene is built mainly around aircraft and smaller vehicles, where architectural items are rarer than in larger scales — and all the more visible for it. A grille fills an empty window, closes off a recess in a wall or completes a railing by some steps, and shows the viewer at once how big the scene is. The item stands on its own, so you can use it in an urban or a rural scene and add it even to a display case with a single model. Check the exact contents of the package and the production technology on the box.

Installation and painting tips

Always try the seating dry first and glue only afterwards. On fine scenic parts, cyanoacrylate glue applied on a wire or a wooden stick works well, so that it does not run across the surface. Degrease the part before painting and go over it with a base color. A metal look comes from a dark base, over which goes a dry brush on the edges and a fine wash in the recesses; spots of rust and chipped paint then give the grille some age. Paint it separately from the groundwork and fit it only at the end, so that you do not dirty the surroundings while weathering the scene.

Who the accessory is for

• for modelers building a diorama or a vignette in 1:48 scale
• for filling out buildings, walls and fences in a scene
• as a separate detail beside aircraft, vehicles and figures
• for collectors who want to give a model a setting, not just a base

The accessory is supplied unpainted. Glue, paints and a base are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.