LARK Model Works #1401 Tutorial

A photo of #1401 The Hole in the Wall submitted by a LARK customer.

The LARK Model Works #1401 is a very simple kit that requires a minimal amount of work to create a beautiful model. To begin, open the package and you will find the structure casting, a bag with some detail parts and the decorations sheet.

The structure should be "squared" so it sits flat. You can remove any flash (excess cast material) from the bottom of the walls by placing the casting upright on a sheet of 220 grit sandpaper. Gently scrub the casting in a circular motion until the flash is gone and the building sits flat. Use your skill to increase downward pressure as needed. You can also "go over" the casting with an emory or light sandpaper to rough up the walls for more texture.

I paint the entire casting flat black, inside and out. This eliminates any translucent properties the casting has and adds depth to the finish coat. The casting should be washed with a mild detergent to remove any mold release agents. Once the flat black has dried (I use a spray bomb and wait a few days) the roof is masked and the building is sprayed with flat white. It takes a couple of light coats to cover the black but I like the texture the light applications present when complete. You might try masking the inside walls on top of the structure and leave them black along with the roof. The corner details really "pop". Again, I wait a day to allow the paint to dry.

Take the brass wire and lay it against the awning decoration so that the excess wire extends equal lengths on either side of the awning. Grab the wire just inside where the decoration begins and bend 90 degrees to make a return to the wall with pliers. Check the bends against the awning and structure to make sure your bends are located properly. Trim the returns as needed after you mount the awning to the wall.

Drill holes for the awning support on either side of the building using a #25 drill. The "Lunch" and "Breakfast" decorations were mounted just prior to help spot the drill and make sure there was room for them. All the decorations were applied with a Glue-Stik^TM. The decorations are cut from the sheet using a steel straight edge, a sharp knife- right to the edge. The decorations are flipped over and smeared with the glue which is scraped from the Glue-Stik^TM. The Glue-Stik^TM provides a permanent bond once it dries. I then make the accommodation for the awning wire by twirling the shank of the drill with my fingertips without the use of a tool holder. The drill is spotted on the left hand side just above the centerline of the window. I twist the drill until the tip reaches enough depth for the brass wire awning support to seat itself. Check with the formed wire and allow for a little glue to hold it in place. Add the hole on the other side.

While you are drilling, pick up a 1/16" drill and add a hole through the roof for the turbine. The turbine is located above the kitchen area just behind the window- well, at least on my version- yours may be different ;-)

Time to finish. The rest of the decorations are trimmed from the sheet as described. You can mark the crease line for the awning by creating a tiny cut through the top of the awning with a sharp knife. Just a tiny nip on both ends at the bend line will show on the back side. Flip the awning over and lightly score from one nip to the other, bend the decoration along the score line to prepare for application. Again, apply Glue-Stik^TM to the area provided on the awning that goes against the wall and place. Use the photo provided as a reference for placement. The printed intake grill can be added to the side wall opposite of your turbine placement.

Color the ends of the trimmed decorations with colored pencils to hide the white edges.

 We will be adding more photos as time permits.

Copyright 2005 LARK Model Works