Institut de France, Paris, L'Instant Durable, 1:250[FERTIG]

Thanks Fred.

Hi Günter,
Appreciate your comments.

Hello Jens,
Thanks. You are doing a great job with Vranov castle!
I agree with you. Betexa seems to feature work that suspends itself in air until supporting parts are added. I addressed this issue in some length on page one of the Karlstein Castle build:
Karlstein Castle, Betexa, 1:350 - FERTIG

The details incorporated into the Vranov model are quite stunning. Your skill is quite evident.

The ornamentation on the pavilions is complete. The reinforcement of the little tabs simplified the job.
Again, high magnification shows up little flaws. Notice the white bit under the left urn in the right picture. A bit of touchup needed there. However, the roof patches made from additional material really helped conceal most of the square white spots.

Hello Yu,
Nice to hear from you. I understand you are a busy man with much travelling in your vocation. Thank you.

The final section of the model to be completed is on the embankment. A section of bridge is modelled to represent the iron bridge that spans the Seigne. It is located on the Left Bank directly in front of the Institute and leads right to the front door of the Louvre across the river. It is aptly named The Pont des Arts. Interestingly enough, Louis le Vau, who was one of the Institute's architects, was famous for his work on the Louvre.

I am seeking advice on the very narrow ironwork of the bridge. I intend to cut out the white between the supports below the bridge deck, but in the past, I have not had success in keeping the fragile sections from breaking after they have been cut. Perhaps someone with experience in ships railings, etc. could give a word of advice? Is there a way of reinforcing the thin paper rails? White glue on the back side? A backing sheet of some kind?

I can see where laser printed railings and fittings would simplify the work on ships. I have no experience here.
John

Hello Renaud,
Thank you for the historical information. You must know that that sort of information really interests me as I build these architectural models. No, only one section of the bridge will be built. It will represent the entire span. Of course, I will have to create a base to glue the model onto that will extend out into the river to accommodate it.

Ricardo, it is not the cutting out of the part that concerns me. That I can handle. Perhaps I can paint the back of the rails below the deck of the bridge with white glue. That might give them strength and stability.

We'll see...

Thank you Ricardo and Fred for the suggestions. I'll begin creating some girders when the base for the model is complete.

Hello Frank,
I appreciate your comments regarding tips and techniques. Sharing such things on a specific building report hopefully makes the information relevant and useful in other areas as well. For me, it's all about learning something new, or trying something new and having some good fun in the process.

No better place for that than on this Forum!

Cheers...John

Hello Waltair,

Thank you, but you embarrass me. Too much, too much. When I see the detailed work of others I am humbled.

Ricardo, you are right. I was overconfident when I mentioned that the cutting would not be a problem. When I had a closer look at those rails under magnification, I can see why the ID modeller left the upper rails uncut and cut only those below the bridge deck. They are a fraction of a millimetre in width. I seem to be fussing over this part. It is time to get on with it, bite the bullet and get something done this weekend. Thanks for the suggestions about painting. Good observations.

John

Adding the bridge to this model means a significant increase in the size of the base.

The abutment.
Now the bridge...

The pier is ready to receive the bridge supports. The mooring rings add a nice 'marine' touch.

Le Pont des Arts est en place.

L'Instant Durable is well known for the inclusion of figures with their models. A basilica can feature a procession of monks wending their way to a church service or an armed escort can be crossing the drawbridge of a castle.

This model features a mounted military honour guard for a visiting dignitary as well as vehicles and common folk.

I choose to not use them. It must be a quirk of mine, but I like to keep the focus on the architectural integrity of the model and not treat it as a diorama. That's just me. These figurines could be a lot of fun to strategically place.

Notice the nice artwork here. Mother and child with a balloon; a family with the dog; the horses with turned heads, etc. This is really what sets ID far and away from computer generated images.

Edit: Oops. Didn't include the family with the dog.

This has been a very enjoyable build. The little glitches with fit are far outweighed by overall quality of the artwork, the printing and the overall impact.

The model was not easy to build. A lot of patience with fit is required. Hopefully the construction report herein will help with the rough spots.

C'est fini.

Thank you all for the positive comments. As you all know, part of the fun in this card modelling craft is the sharing. I'm in good company.

Ricardo, yes, there are still a few ID models that interest me. When I return to them, I will have to decide which one. I've seen the Donjon de Vincennes in your glass case. I like it. You also have the Opera House? Not the number of parts you like to sink your teeth into, but is it the one your are recommending?

I have not tried one of their dioramas. QuéBec and Pont-Neuf et Ile de la Cité (Paris) look interesting. I believe the backdrop is 2D and the buildings, etc. are modelled in the foreground.

All good stuff to come.

My attention turns now, for the moment to Hungary.

Cheers...John

Good information Ricardo. Your photo collection of work is superb.

I have one last photo. I was not really happy with the large size of the base. It seemed to overpower the model with its large empty spaces on each side of the bridge.

Then an idea came to me. Why not use that area for a display of original photos from the book? As it turned out, the photos chosen relate directly to the model. The Mazarine Library is on the left in the foreground, the Institut Library is at the back on the left and pictures of the oval dome and the rotunda are on the right. It worked out well. When discussing the model, the pictures of the inside of the dome can be pointed out and then the dome can be removed.

That should do it for me on this one. It's simply a matter of making the storage lid and putting it away. Hopefully I will have an opportunity to show and discuss this model in public.