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2. Even big things are small at this scale

Two-millimetre fine-scale is similar to N gauge, but 1:152 rather than 1:148 (N). This makes most things seem small, some of them very small, and some of them virtually invisible. I also model in 4mm scale and I think that my modeling brain is often stuck in this mode, because sometimes I feel like my 2mm creations are just too big, somethings just don't look right.

I've been drawing and building the plastic shells for Coales Mill for a good while now, starting with pencil sketches to demarcate the various component buildings and some basic details. These are makes with letters for each gable end and numbers for each building. The basic plan ends up looking like a set of profiles that an aircraft or ship modeler may use, a technique I remember seeing, and trying, for a model TSR2 in the old Airfix Magazine back in the 70’s I guess.


The central structure here, buildings 4, 5, and 6, got drawn out using a (then) free drawing tool on the iPad, and a printed template used for the plastic, yet some how the completed structure was just too big, so I ended up having to split all the parts and cut it back to size. 


Buildings 4 to 7 all too big




Buildings 4 to 6 reduced, 7 removed
A similar problem happened with buildings 2 and 3, except that it took me longer than it ought to have done to work out that the building was tapered along the back, and then I made it far too small.

I often think that modelling is the art of producing piles of ever smaller bits cut from larger sheets of card or plastic! Never throw them away, there will always be a need for smaller parts.

Buildings 2 and 3 nearly right


This is the scene tonight, getting closer.

I have also formulated a plan to get access to Templot via a remote connection to my steps-son’s PC on the iPad, so watch this space.

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