Popular Post Spotlc Posted February 16, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted February 16, 2021 (edited) There are many great examples of card buildings on this forum, some scratch built or made from downloaded designs, and some from printed kits, and although not architectural models in the true sense, Superquick card kits have been around for years and provide an interesting range of buildings for someone who doesn't want, or does not have either the time or facilities, to make more elaborate models. However, the name Superquick is misleading, because if care is taken in the construction, and a few minor alterations made to the finishing details, they can be quite time consuming to make, but I think the results justify the effort. I was given several kits some years ago, and they lay hiidden in a drawer until I came across them recently, so I decided to build a couple. There are two shops in this kit, and this is the greengrocers/florist. I discarded the one piece folded mansard roof and made new pitches from card with the correct front ridge overhang, covered with Scalescenes slates printed on self adhesive parcel label paper and cut into strips; the guttering is made from very thin card wet pressed in a little home made mould; curtains from a Scalescenes kit were stuck inside before assembly; the downpipes are made from salvaged 1mm copper wire with little collars cut off a length of brass tube and soldered on. I printed the shop sign on photographic paper. This is the newsagents which had more or less the same treatment, except it has just a simple pitched roof. One of the most common criticisms of these kind of kits is the exposed corner joints, and there is no getting away from the fact that it's the big let down. Careful colouring will help a lot; paper "quoins" carefully cut out and glued works well with some models, or you can use the old trick of distracting the eye with downpipes, as I have done with these. Here they are shown together. I forgot to say that I put in a complete "ceiling" from 1.5mm card instead of the rather feeble triangular corner braces, just below the eaves in both buildings, and that I made no alterations to the rear of the buildings since they will never be seen, and all the exposed edges were touched in with various coloured acrylics. I quite enjoyed this "blast from the past"! Cheers, Mike Edited February 16, 2021 by Spotlc Typos 40 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovex Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I have always liked the superquick kits and prefer them to some of the Metcalf's kits. So it's good to see someone putting a bit of extra effort into building them. Good work 2 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 16, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 16, 2021 Lovely work @Spotlc Superquick has a charm of its own. 3 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I started with Superquik and I have always liked them. I particularly like the extra details added to your buildings. I hope this inspires others. John 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I've only built a couple of Superquick kits, but I thought the design and the quality of materials was first class. It's easy to see how they became the de facto standard card buildings from the 1960s onwards. I continue to try to justify their large station kit . 3 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marly51 Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I agree with you SpotIc! There is a charm about some of these old favourites. I have a few Superquick kits on standby for future models. I have recently bought an number of Bilteezi Kits in 00 and N scale, to experiment with, as well as some Alphagraphix kits for a new 0 gauge project. The challenge is in enhancing the models with some 3D techniques. Marlyn 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I did move on to Scalescenes kits which make into superb buildings. They are more akin to scratchbuilding and more of a challenge. You also need a good printer, card and paper. I think an ideal evolutionary step for ones model buildings. John 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Spotlc Posted February 17, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 17, 2021 (edited) Many thanks for all the kind words and likes! To be honest, it had been ages since I built a Superquick, but I wanted to make a comparison with Scalescenes, which as John says, make up into very nice models. But, - and it's a big but - the amount of effort to complete a similar building using a downloaded file is considerable, regardless of the origin - Scalescenes, Smart Models, Kingsway, or whatever. They also need some experience in cutting and manipulating card and paper, some knowledge of adhesives, and a good quality printer filled with decent inks, not to mention producing or buying realistic windows! Apart from being able to glue things together accurately with PVA, and a few felt tip pens, none of this is needed for a kit. Marlyn used the word "charming" in her comment, and it is exactly the right word, I think it's one of the big attactions of Superquick - the range isn't great but the designs have an almost universal appeal, and with one or two exceptions, sit well in any supposed geographic region. I was curious to see the result of applying some of the finishing techniques and detailing that are needed for a downloaded design to one of these kits. How far you take this is a moot point, and I suspect that at some stage it might be no quicker than a download, but just for fun, here is the little Superquick church I made recently, - a real step back in time for me because I first built one for my sons sixth birthday, and he was 47 last week! I tried putting it in it's own setting, the low walls are MDF with cut down Ratio fencing, with some ballast for the paths, and a bit of greenery. The open end buts up to an adjacent building. I couldn't resist printing the windows from the Scalescenes church on to 60 gsm paper, and putting a little lighting rig inside, but this is just showing off really! But you could take it further - lych gate made from card or MDF, with etched wrought iron gates, weathervane, lightning conductor, stone crosses at the apex of each gable, even gravestones if there was room! In case you wondered, I have absolutely no connection with Superquick! Cheers, Mike Edited February 17, 2021 by Spotlc 16 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 That is a lovely job on the church. As for Scalescenes, yes a lot of skills to develop and equipment to get. I did say that they were an evolution for the building modeller. It is wise to get a feel for handling card kits by building Superquik (and Metcalfe too, they are not to be dismissed). John 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Beautiful looking buildings - very nicely finished. I haven't built a Superquick for years but your thread and images has tempted me to try a couple again, thanks. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locomad2 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Think I built my first Superquick aged 9 and loved them ever since, your right a charm of there own and my own view more fitting for 60's and older layouts as they look "Grimmer". Look at any old colour photos of the period and most towns & cities building covered in a thick grey/dirty black, sooty, deposit from hundred odd years of coal burning. Superquick grimmer look, definitely looks more realistic than more recent manufacturers which are best suited to post 80's layouts about the time grants given to sandblast urban buildings. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spotlc Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 John, I completely agree with you! I have made up a couple of Metcalfe kits and they are more like "cardboard engineering" than Superquick, and for me the huge advantage of Scalescenes (and others) is that they can be easily scaled down to 3mm, which I do a lot of ! Vivian, thanks for your encouragement! Go for it! Locomad, thanks for your interest. Yes, they do have a somewhat dated look that might not be quite right on a modern layout, but in real life there is always a mix of the old and new, and with some careful weathering different styles can all be blended together, much like the real thing! Cheers, Mike 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Scalescenes ability to scale up or down is a big advantage. I'm building mine in 7mm. John 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 (edited) Slightly off topic but in a similar vein to highlight the use of "traditional" products, I am currently rebuilding my layout and decided to use Townscenes sheets for a backdrop to my MPD. I know they are "old" drawings as opposed to modern photographic backscenes but there is a charm to them IMO. Patience and a sharp pair of scissors are certainly two key requirements. Here is a couple of photos of work in progress! Images not glued down yet, and the retaining wall temporarily posed to see the effect. Chimneys certainly need pasting! I'm very happy with it so far. Edited March 8, 2021 by cravensdmufan Additional image 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I do agree with that. I made the club layout backscene from these. That must have been more than 10 years ago and it's still there. It's a bit knocked about, the chimneys in particular come in for abuse. I mounted some buildings on foam core to give a bit of relief. This was taken 10 yrs ago. John 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spotlc Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 (edited) This is all great stuff! Although I am a big fan of teccy developments, I also like some of the older methods of doing things, and these last two pics are just what I like! I am a member of the 3mm Society, and in their list of "scenic delights" they have some Bilteezi sheets scaled down to 3mm, and I have been thinking about getting a few. I remember building one or two in 4mm years ago, and they were excellent, if a little delicate, so these pics have provided the impetus! Thanks Vivian and John. Cheers, Mike Edit: Careless mistake - it is the 3SMR site that has the Bilteezi's, not the 3mm society! Edited February 18, 2021 by Spotlc redaction 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman7 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I've always like Superquick buildings, and as the OP says they can benefit from some augmentation. The Victorian Terraces and Corner Shops have a great feel to them, but the printed shop fronts look a little flat. This one is still work in progress but building out the shop fronts to give them some relief makes a huge difference. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locomad2 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Great thing about any cardboard model is the ease and speed which many can be repaired here my old favourite Post office on Station road Brick paper over tears, etc Other problem with any cardboard is they deteriorate quickly, slag, bend, lose the shape I found best way to keep the shape is a block of scrap wood cut accurately to shape. They stand better after Course like the real thing require paint (crayon, felt pens,) to finish them off 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locomad2 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 56 minutes ago, Spotlc said: I am a member of the 3mm Society, and in their list of "scenic delights" they have some Bilteezi sheets scaled down to 3mm, and I have been thinking about getting a few. I remember building one or two in 4mm years ago, and they were excellent, Are these "Bilteezi" backscences, just mounted on thick card ? 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 18, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 18, 2021 @locomad2 I like the use of the Merco arches. Merco brickpaper is near impossible to get now. The late Rev Peter Denny was kind enough to send me a sample of the dark Merco brickpaper. Photocopies of that sample work a treat to this day. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveyDee68 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 5 hours ago, cravensdmufan said: Slightly off topic but in a similar vein to highlight the use of "traditional" products, I am currently rebuilding my layout and decided to use Townscenes sheets for a backdrop to my MPD. I know they are "old" drawings as opposed to modern photographic backscenes but there is a charm to them IMO. Patience and a sharp pair of scissors are certainly two key requirements. Here is a couple of photos of work in progress! Images not glued down yet, and the retaining wall temporarily posed to see the effect. Chimneys certainly need pasting! I'm very happy with it so far. I'm certain I've read somewhere on RMWeb of someone "misting" such backscene elements with white from an airbrush to lessen the colour depth, and that this makes them 'recede' into the distance. Certainly if you are building in card it makes sense to keep the background in a similar material - again, somewhere else I've seen someone using such consistency of materials to great effect. Steve S 2 1 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locomad2 Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Colin_McLeod said: @locomad2 I like the use of the Merco arches. Merco brickpaper is near impossible to get now. The late Rev Peter Denny was kind enough to send me a sample of the dark Merco brickpaper. Photocopies of that sample work a treat to this day. Thanks I've often wondered whose it was, excellent paper which has lasted, built for my first layout 55 years ago, there is actually a hidden siding on other side 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 5 hours ago, Spotlc said: This is all great stuff! Although I am a big fan of teccy developments, I also like some of the older methods of doing things, and these last two pics are just what I like This is developing into a very nice thread. Sort of comforting going back to using older methods. Somehow therapeutic during these strange times. Thank you for starting it Mike. 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 One very useful teccy thing we have nowadays is that most printers have a scan feature. So, if you have some of those impossible to get and rare prints, you can scan and print them ad infinitum, for your personal use of course. John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 19, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 19, 2021 6 hours ago, cravensdmufan said: This is developing into a very nice thread. Sort of comforting going back to using older methods. Somehow therapeutic during these strange times. Thank you for starting it Mike. I was cutting some 4x2 timbers into 2x1s three days ago. As well as my 2x1s I now also have a bag of sawdust. Now where can I purchase green dye in 2021? Just a thought..... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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