This thread was started in May, 2023
ALCO
May 2023 in Finished SW Build Pics
The story of Foss’ Landing is an old one. I found some old pictures of the time after old man Foss (shortened from Fossemangia when he landed at Ellis Island) bought out the two brothers and a second cousin who owned the land. They never could make anything of it and they were only too happy to get the fish smell out of their noses! The first picture is an old black & white; the second one looks like a Brownie camera was used.
Still with me? Don’t believe everything you read here. Anyway, with that backstory, I thought I’d try to recreate what things might have looked like back in the day. Here’s the big picture. Normally the diorama is 16x16 but I added 3" along the “back” side as I’ve done on occasion. At the time, I had no idea what to put in the addition. I considered a piece of track since there’s no track. But that didn’t seem to fit so I employed the “theory of the self-solving universe”–if you wait long enough, the universe will give you an answer. And so it did! I use these additions to use up the stuff in drawer and cabinets but I usually end up buying some new and shiny thing. The two boats are the Addison and the Jewel, both purchased from SWSM. I highly recommend including them if this kit speaks to you.
A few words about my experience with the water effect. I used Envirotex Lite as recommended. I had pre-painted the wooden base with 3 different colors, lighter at shore and darker at the far edge. I had also used the wooden base as a cutting pad…so there were cut marks that needed covering up. My first pour was without any added coloring. That motivated me to add a little green to the next pour…which motivated me to add a good portion of brown to the last (3rd) pour. This blended/muted the paint on the board and gave what I considered a realistic result! The Envirotex instructions said you could remove bubbles with a hair dryer…or you could just exhale onto the resin!! I exhaled (literally and figuratively) and had an excellent result. Any bubbles are skeeters!
No track but two boats AND water?! Seems fair. Very different vibe on this dio as a result.
So let’s start the tour with a shot of the Launch Co. and move to the left (more or less). Apologies in advance with photographic shortcomings.
Zooming in a little to see what’s on the dock…
Foss handles not only the needs of the areas local fishermen but also welcomes the locals who want to get out on the water and maybe fish or get a few lobsters for dinner. See those Evinrudes on a stand with gas cans below them? They’re for rent to go with those boats against the wall.
Moving more to the left, we see those outboards a bit better and see the Clam & Oyster building. They were putting up a new sign on the C&O. The old sign is leaning against the fence. Those old “dry transfer” signs just don’t last!
Let’s keep moving…Birds! Always birds! What a mess! Sharp-eyed viewers may notice that the wall(s) with the 2 windows were installed upside down. Hey, more space underneath for details.
Somebody pulled this boat out of the water a while ago but that’s about as far as it went. First time I’ve made and used this style of tree. I like how they turned out and will use them again. Not a kind of tree I see here in CO.
A shoutout to KKarns for including a powerline in his dios. Here I pay an homage to his creativity. This view also brings into focus the Clam & Oyster building.
The boat shed has been around about as long as anything else at the Landing…and it shows.
The old floats (my word) show up in lots of pictures I saw during my research for this project. I saw a building just like this one except the tall section was turned 90 degrees. The outside plumbing is 1/16 brass tubing with elbows etc. that I had on hand. The launch company has outside plumbing also but that’s a one piece metal casting with added elbows where it goes into the wall. Another tip-o’-the-hat to KKarns!
Our trip down memory lane ends about where we started-over the water.
Comments
ALCO
May 2023
Forgot the most important part–Thank you for taking the time to look!
Karl.A
May 2023
What a fantastic piece of work. Such a wonderful diorama, the back stories are great and the modeling even better.
I’ve always loved this dioramic scene, the structures and the boats are all just natural together.
You’ve done a beautiful job on this Alan and it’s a pleasure to see your modeling on your take of this great classic kit.
Weathering, details, structures, water, boats, everything is so very well done.
Definitely one to be very proud of.
Now I’m going back for another look at all the stuff I missed the first time…
Karl.A
May 2023 edited May 2023
Oh, and “Motif Number 1” is the similar real life structure with all the bouy’s hanging up, it’s a structure in Rockport MA, and a classic.
You captured the look perfectly of that , very well done.
Jerry
May 2023
Great pictures! Great diorama! Great storytelling! Can’t ask for much more. A job well done.
Jerry
Karl.A
May 2023 edited May 2023
On my third run through of the pics, I just noticed the upside down sunken boat, now that is greatness.
vietnamseabee
May 2023
What a great piece of modeling….like Karl, I need to make another run thru. Way too much to take in on one pass. Well done
Terry
ALCO
May 2023 edited May 2023 38.109.215.138
Aw, pshaw…(paws at the ground…)
ALCO
May 2023
Don’t overlook the claw foot bathtub tossed under the trees. There’s also a pleated woodpecker in there but no pix of that!
mikemettelka
May 2023
Wow… great work… and great photos too
Robert.G
May 2023
SUPER !!! Great diorama and story !!
brownbr
May 2023
A wonderful build and even better story to go with it.
admin
May 2023
Wonderful! Really enjoying these photographs. Thank you sharing them with us!
kebmo
May 2023
absolutely fantastic!
Jim M
May 2023
This is so well done, congratulations. It is simply stunning. I actually think the “photographic shortcomings” add to the feel of this diorama. Great job all around.
Joel
May 2023
Beautiful diorama. The wood on the boat shed is fantastic - did you do anything special to achieve that effect?
gjdale
May 2023
Just wow! I don’t know what else to say. What a superb piece of modelling. Thanks for sharing your pictures - they are both an inspiration and a great reference for us lesser mortals to follow!
TomMich
May 2023
GREAT diorama! Lot of interesting things to look at. Every time I look I seem more.
ALCO
May 2023
Joel—I used 2 sizes of wood to enhance the rugged look. To grain, my go-to tool is the file card with hundreds(?) of points on it. I prefer more rather than less grain/wear and this does the job for me. I also will use a pointed tool like the one that makes nail holes. I run the sharp point along the board to make a deeper cut. Sometimes I add the insect damage (closely spaced shallow holes).
KKarns
July 2023
Catching up on things here Al…what a wonderfully modeled diorama! Love all the unique mini scenes that tell their story. Real joy to go through your work here… waterfront modeling at its finest!
ALCO
July 2023
Howdy stranger! Welcome back. Appreciate your and everyone’s comments.
KKarns
July 2023
Appreciate that Al. Love the damaged upside down row boat, great little detail. Outboard motor rack deserves a nod as do many other nifty detailed scenes.