Goethe detailing

After working on this kit for a while, I am not impressed.

I like the one off kits, but this one is way off. I am no great modeler, but this kit has some problems and the instructions are terrible.

I am still going through with the build however. It gives me something to get mad at other than my Pamir or Santa Maria.

I am so upset with how it all looks (better in the box than out) I may go for it and do something real wild. Basically painting it the way I want and not give it the name "Goethe". How about a hippie paddler?

Will keep all updated as I go along.

 

Thanks for article and the picture, Michael, it wil indeed be helpfull when I decide to do the "Goethe"

I, too, thought about purchasing this kit because it was something 'different', but when I saw the contents of the box I was less impressed than with the box-top illustration.  It just didn't seem to me to be worth the money - but I stress that that's just a personal assessment based on my own expectations.

Here's the completed model I mentioned;



The boat is quite long but is very narrow in the beam, as befits a river craft I suppose, and there's not a lot of detail to add interest.  I'd like to build a paddler of some sort but I think I'll try to get an Aoshima release of the IMAI Susquehanna instead.

Michael

I haven't built the kit, nor have I seen the parts of it, but I have had the kit in my hands for a couple times, and I sure would be interested to learn more about it, so if I could get my hands on pics or those pdf files I would be a very happy modeler.

Robert;

Sent the PDF to your email twice now, have you received it yet?
Michael

I'd go along with jtilley's suggestion re the PVA glue after painting the 'wood', but I'm not sure you'd have to use a flat finish first, in my (admittedly small) experience it'll hold on pretty well whatever the texture.

I printed a review of this kit from one of our members in the club newsletter this time last year which details a few parts fitment problems that it might help to know about in advance.  If you want a copy drop me an email and I'll send you the PDF.

Michael

Some ideas:

1.  Paint the interior before assembly, install the parts using clear parts cement. (White glue.)  You might be able to minimize the gap effect by painting the sides of the individual windows with the wood color, so that when the window is installed, it looks like the casing around the window. 

2.  Don't use the kit windows at all.  Paint  the interior, and then, when the model is complete,  use clear parts cement or "Crystal clear" to make new windows.  (This is a product that is basically a thinned white glue- you fill the window opening with a film of the white glue, like a soap bubble, and it dries clear.  I use it instead of the thick parts supplied for fueslage windows with many aircraft kits.)  I don't know how big the windows are on this model, but this technique works well on small windows, and you can wait until painting is finished. 

HTH,

I haven't built the kit - or even seen the inside of the box.  My guess, though, is that when the model's finished the view of the interior will be pretty murky.  Your idea of painting the interior surfaces with a wood color sounds like a good one.  I suspect the generally "woody" appearance, seen through the windows, will be enough to look convincing.

Regarding the clear plastic parts, two suggestions occur to me off the top of my head.  One - paint the bulkhead interiors first and, if there's sufficient room, rely on the glue at the top of each clear piece to hold it in place.  Two - paint the bulkhead interiors first, let the paint dry thoroughly, give it a coat or two of flat finish, let that dry thoroughly, and stick the clear parts into position with white glue.  Our friends in the aircraft realm use white glue for mounting clear parts frequently.  It obviously doesn't have the solvent effect that plastic cement does, but it holds well enough for most purposes.

I've seen pictures of the box for that kit.  It looks like it has the potential to be a nice, slightly offbeat model.  Good luck.