In Detail...

Over the years I have been asked several times why we make no attempt to distress our models.  My answer to this is quite simple. If I am building a model that is intended for a 1930's house then one would expect the item to be in new condition when it was first purchased.  If however, I am putting the same model into a 1950's house one would expect to see 20 years of wear and tear!  On a model railway layout pristine items would look totally out of character and one would expect to see rust, smoke damage and weathering.  This is the best representation of where the distressing of models makes the most impact and highlights the artistic skill of the modeller.  Another way of 'dating' your models can be as simple as changing the colour.  The photograph below shows the Phoenix gramophone model in traditional black suitable for the late 1930's.  By painting it in a burgundy colour the same model can be taken to the rock 'n' roll era of the 1950's.