5.KBW - Chambord, L'Instant Durable, 1:300

Dear Josef,

I am honoured and pleased that you have commented on my architectural builds. Thank you.

In closing cone shapes, I knew that there was something missing from my technique. The segments want to spring back and have to be held in place until they stick. (I do not glue the segments to the wood - I keep the cone above the wood so it won't stick. But then I'm trying to hold segments steady until the glue dries unsupported.

You method is brilliant. The tissue provides full contact with the segments! I am going to try to use the translator to figure out how you get the tissue cone off the wooden template form without sticking. Shape with just water?

There is a lot of cone forming on the turrets and towers of Chambord Josef. I must learn how to use your technique.

I'm learning from The Master,
Thank you again Josef,
John

Josef,

Am I correct with this summary of closing a cone?
(following the photos of making the shell projectile)

1. Make a wooden form.
2. Encase the form with one layer of tissue.
3. Use diluted glue (such as white glue + water) to coat the tissue
4. Tool the tissue into shape on the form. While doing this rotate the form often to prevent the tissue
from sticking to the wooden form. (?)
5. Remove the newly created tissue mold and set aside.
6. Slip the cylinder with the segmented top over the wooden form. Gently spread the segments open like
the petals of a flower.
7. Place the tissue mold onto the wooden form and slide down to the base of the segments.
8. Moisten the segments with glue and tool them closed around the tissue liner.

John

Hello Matthias,

Thank you! Good to hear from you. The sun is shining here in Peterborough, but it's a bit chilly. (3 degrees Celsius) Fall is approaching on horseback.

Chambord has much to offer. Many of the French models in this chateau series use small, delicate parts that are difficult to cut out without losing some of their detail. (e.g. finials) Other large parts such as courtyards or terraces depend on light flimsy underpinnings. The countless chimneys and dormers often do not have the correct pitch angle. They often lean forward.

Having said that, the models are delightful to view when completed. They are both challenging and fun to build. And, as you know, the history they hold adds to the enjoyment of researching them.

Cheers...John

Dear Matthias,

I agree with you that building these historically significant structures makes one much more aware of their scale. I also agree that they are very useful for educational purposes. If I were still in the classroom, I would have them on display and be using them to enrich many programs. As a matter of fact, I will be approaching the local high schools and offering to bring in specific models to enhance curricula.

Cheers...John

Hello Stephan,

I apologize for not acknowledging your earlier post. Thank you. Yes, there are many chimneys on Chambord's roofs. When I get into them, I'll let you know the model's count.

Cheers...John

Dear Josef,

Thank you for clarrification. I will search out the flower tissue paper.

In the meantime, I decided to use the mold like the tissue. On the next tower, I cut it off, drilled a hole in its end and glued it up.

When rolling cylinders of small diameter, twist drills come in handy. They offer easy sizing and simplify butt glueing the edges.

One of the most distinctive features of the Loire Valley Chateaux is the ornate finial that adorns dormer facades and chimney tops. A magnifying glass and a very sharp pointed knife helps when cutting them.

A chimney top...

A dormer facade...

A band of ornamentation...

Bring these elements together with the turret itself and you have a very visually attractive assembly.

Rotating the assembly...

...and again.

Here are the turret parts en Français, pour Caroline de Berry Tower.

Hello Mike.
Nice to see a fellow Ontarian here! This is a wonderful forum Mike. Welcome aboard.
Thanks for the tip about the tissue.

Hi Walter,
Thank you for your 'over the top' comments. A nice thing about posting on this forum is that you can pick and choose the photos that give the best impression. It's easy to trash the ones that show the goofs.

Here are the assembled pieces for the Henri V turret.

I like the fact that the chimneys and dormer facades extend right down to the bottom of the turret. It is easy to get them standing plumb. They also help contain and register the roof cone.

Hello Stephan,
I wonder if they count the number of chimneys by the number of flues in the masonry chimney stack. I do not see the high number you mentioned. In each turret I see only three large flues. Perhaps the one that has a roof over it contains a number of flues that vent out around the edge of the chimney roof. Don't know.

The name of the game with this model seems to be to get all the verticals standing properly. In this photo, the base of the lower chimney block on the left is tipping outward. It's being pushed by the roof.

Dear Josef,

I was unsuccessful in my first attempt to find the tissue you mentioned. In the meantime, I came upon the idea of using Saran Wrap (plastic wrap). It worked well, but unlike your method, the Saran Wrap stays on the wooden mold. I think your method is superior. The tissue would cleanly release with the dome firmly attached.

Mike, a new member on the forum suggested searching the tissue at a hobby store where they sell balsa wood airplanes.

Thanks again,
John

It has taken quite a bit of time to complete the four tower tops. They are almost complete little models in themselves. Here they are.

Here is the first completed tower - François I tower with its turret rising above the terrace.

From another angle...

But the turret of François I tower is not really complete yet. Joined to it is its pavilion. Here is its footrpint...

Perhaps I should have begun Chambord before October. Now each pavilion will require the same amount of work to make its chimneys, dormers and towers. Who's complaining? This is our hobby and passion - right?

One down, three to go.

You get a better overview of the construction when you see the whole baseplate of Chambord.

Here are three photos of the François I tower attached to its pavilion.

Mathias and David.

Thanks for the positive comments gentlemen. Photographing the model, describing its construction and discussing various techniques, for me, is as interesting as the build itself.

Chambord is taking far more time than I thought it would. Another week should complete the donjon or keep.

Work continues on the second pavilion...

Two errors surfaced with the construction of the second pavilion. One white dormer roof footprint was much too large for the roof, and another roof was impossible to put in place as folded. In the first case, the white patch was painted in and in the second, the part had to be cut into pieces and completely rebuilt.

In these pictures, the two pavilions and the staircase lantern are in place.

The donjon from the back and above...

Acutal photo courtesy of Ludwig.

Two more pavilions to build and I can break out of this donjon. I'm eager to move on to new challenges with the east and west wings with their galleries, staircases and arcades.