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SHELBY'S Marine Service (HO/HOn3)
Introduction and Historical Account
In keeping with my decision to proceed with building each and every HO/HOn3 kit produced by SierraWest Scale Models in chronological order, beginning with Brett's first kit release BlueSky Company (circa 1995), I now embark on the classic kit; Shelby's Marine Service (herein referred to simply as "Shelby's"). Shelby's was released May 1, 1998 and was met with much anticipation and excitement within the modeling community. Brett posted an ad in the Nov/Dec 1997 issue of Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette featuring his original Shelby's concept model giving his dedicated customers a sneak peak at what was in store (see figure 1. below).
(Figure 1. Ad listed in the Nov/Dec 1997 issue of the GAZETTE.)
Shelby's represents SierraWest Scale Models first true waterfront kit including wharfs, docks, pilings, boats, and all that is marine. Valley Model Trains carried an ad in the January 1998 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman in which they depicted Shelby's being available TBA (to be announced) with their stock number 103, which was also Brett's kit number, along with a few other SWSM kits in their inventory (see figure 2. below)
(Figure 2. Shelby's ad in Railroad Model Craftsman January 1998. Note the image is of Brett's "concept" model. Poor resolution is due to the actual picture in the magazine being about 1.5 inches square!)
Shelby's official release and availability was announced in two beautifully illustrated ads in both the Mar/Apr 1998 issue of the Gazette and the May 1998 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman (see figures 3 and 4 below).
(Figure 3. Mar/Apr 1998 issue of the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette. First image of the final pilot model)
(Figure 4. May, 1998 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. Just beautiful!)
Shelby's was a Limited Run kit of which only 350 were produced and was kit #103. As with all of SWSM kits, it quickly sold out and has been a coveted piece of nostalgic modeling ever since. I was thrilled to find a specimen on the secondary market and paid...we'll just say way more than sticker price to get my hands on it! Speaking of sticker price, Valley Model Trains ran a follow-up listing for the released kit at a 1998 list price of $230 and was on sale for $207. A bargain even at that time! (See figure 5 below).
(Figure 5. Ad in May, 1998 Railroad Model Craftsman for Shelby's along with a few other featured SWSM kits)
I have discussed my upcoming Shelby's project with Brett and he gave me some interesting perspectives on his concepts and development of this kit. I'm looking forward to the upcoming build, and have some interesting and exciting ideas in store for this great work that is Shelby's Marine Service...Here we go!
In keeping with my decision to proceed with building each and every HO/HOn3 kit produced by SierraWest Scale Models in chronological order, beginning with Brett's first kit release BlueSky Company (circa 1995), I now embark on the classic kit; Shelby's Marine Service (herein referred to simply as "Shelby's"). Shelby's was released May 1, 1998 and was met with much anticipation and excitement within the modeling community. Brett posted an ad in the Nov/Dec 1997 issue of Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette featuring his original Shelby's concept model giving his dedicated customers a sneak peak at what was in store (see figure 1. below).
(Figure 1. Ad listed in the Nov/Dec 1997 issue of the GAZETTE.)
Shelby's represents SierraWest Scale Models first true waterfront kit including wharfs, docks, pilings, boats, and all that is marine. Valley Model Trains carried an ad in the January 1998 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman in which they depicted Shelby's being available TBA (to be announced) with their stock number 103, which was also Brett's kit number, along with a few other SWSM kits in their inventory (see figure 2. below)
(Figure 2. Shelby's ad in Railroad Model Craftsman January 1998. Note the image is of Brett's "concept" model. Poor resolution is due to the actual picture in the magazine being about 1.5 inches square!)
Shelby's official release and availability was announced in two beautifully illustrated ads in both the Mar/Apr 1998 issue of the Gazette and the May 1998 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman (see figures 3 and 4 below).
(Figure 3. Mar/Apr 1998 issue of the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette. First image of the final pilot model)
(Figure 4. May, 1998 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. Just beautiful!)
Shelby's was a Limited Run kit of which only 350 were produced and was kit #103. As with all of SWSM kits, it quickly sold out and has been a coveted piece of nostalgic modeling ever since. I was thrilled to find a specimen on the secondary market and paid...we'll just say way more than sticker price to get my hands on it! Speaking of sticker price, Valley Model Trains ran a follow-up listing for the released kit at a 1998 list price of $230 and was on sale for $207. A bargain even at that time! (See figure 5 below).
(Figure 5. Ad in May, 1998 Railroad Model Craftsman for Shelby's along with a few other featured SWSM kits)
I have discussed my upcoming Shelby's project with Brett and he gave me some interesting perspectives on his concepts and development of this kit. I'm looking forward to the upcoming build, and have some interesting and exciting ideas in store for this great work that is Shelby's Marine Service...Here we go!
Comments
Would love to have this kit Shelby's Marine.
As with all my SierraWest Scale Models builds, I begin by much contemplation, research, and general mental study of the proposed project. This consists of historical research as depicted above, discussions with Brett on his concepts and development, review of all available previous build documentation, and of course a thorough review of the Construction Manual.
As per the manual, I started with the main structure. In looking at how I was going to tackle the signature structure of this kit, I settled on a well worn and heavily peeled white paint finish. I completed the lower front wall as a "test wall" to see if my results I achieved were consistent with the goals of the build.
Modeling peeling/weathered paint can be accomplished through a number of techniques, and modelers have their "go to" methods. I decided for my build here I was going for a very heavily peeled and "checked" paint finish. Paint can fade, peel, and check. Check refers, by my definition, as paint that has a multitude of cracks forming irregular geometric patterns and then flakes off to varying degrees. I was also going to do what I refer to as a controlled paint "peel". By this I mean, rather than paint peel each board separately and then construct the wall to get a random peel effect, I base stained all the boards, detailed the weathering of the wood and built the wall prior to the paint "peel". This way I can control the amount of peel exactly where I want it. This would of course be exactly how paint would be applied and then weathered in real life. Wall built...then painted. I also plan to incorporate more than just one type of paint "peel" which also would be realistically encountered. Some of the paint would fade, some flake, some check (usually with heavy coats), etc..
The front lower wall was done first. This wall will have the second story overhang thus protecting the upper reaches of the wall so less paint peel towards the sheltered top few boards as seen in Figure 1. below. The checked paint can clearly be seen in the images and the extent of the paint that has been weathered. The second wall was then constructed and the paint peel was more uniform as this wall is fully exposed as seen in figure 2. below.
(Figure 1. Front lower level wall)
(Figure 2. Side wall lower level)
The big issue with getting an accurate checked paint peel is keeping the checked paint in scale. This was accomplished with crackle paint applied sparingly and any out of scale areas removed. I am covering the inside of all the lower level walls with old "tar paper" for interest and to hide light shining distractingly through cracks and separation in the siding when viewed from the outside (see figure 3. below).
(Figure 3. Interior walls of lower level covered with old tar paper)
The remaining walls will be constructed and detailed...more later...Ken
I sure it will be fantastic as usual.
bty, love the chipped wood planks
Randy, the paint peel was entirely done with crackle paint, no mineral sprits or tape.
I am waiting to build mine until I have plenty more time and skills (I need both!!)
So I will enjoy watching this build thread from one of the greats.
I am using Ranger Pappy but sure other brands would work as well.
Thanks much Brian and you get what you pay for with SierraWest that's for sure!
I remember when it came out in the Gazette way back when.
Best of luck as you move forward on the project and educate us along the way.
George
This has been a much anticipated build for me Brett, as Shelby's combines everything a fine scale modeler could ask for. I appreciate all your input and encouragement and will give this project the attention it deserves.
Oh and nobody called me out yet...the blurred sign was on purpose and will have to wait quite a few kits down the road in my quest to build all of them to find out what it actually says!
Terry
Thanks for any info.
Looking forward to following along with your next masterpiece and learning along the way.
Thanks,
--Paul
I forgot to mention in the previous post that I enjoy the background you give on the kits.
George
I like the history of the kit in the beginning, I bet Brett didn't even know those facts!!
Jerry