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Built Review
187
French Office Facade
French Office Facade
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by: Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]

Introduction
French Office by Artitec is a resin kit in 1/87 - HO. Catalogued as item 10.232 it is also listed as Facade "N".

Artitec of the Netherlands produces a wide range of models of railroad, military, maritime and automotive subjects, and related accessories - over 260 in HO alone. They also make kits in 1/72, 1/120 (TT scale for model railroading), N ( 1/160) and Z (1/220). Predominately of Dutch, Belgian, French and German prototypes, these models consist of resin and photo-etched metal. While I did not count each one individually, it appears Artitec kits over 100 1/87 houses, apartments, outbuilding, churches, and miscellaneous structures.

Artitec was founded by modelers and their passion for the hobby is obvious. This is the first building model from Artitec that I have handled. Let's see what it is like.

In the box
Artitec's packaging is simple, a box as big as needed to hold the model with a specific label affixed to it.

Inside are three resin 'sprues' holding 11 parts, plus a clear plastic sheet of 'glass' and an instruction sheet. Those resin parts are:

    Facade
    Sides x 2
    Roof
    Dormer sides x 2
    Dormer roof
    Shutters x 4

The parts are held toghter with excess resin. It is mostly thin enough that I simply brushed it off the parts and it broke away cleanly. Some requires scribbing or light cutting, such as from within the window muntins or where the excess resin is thicker.

Artitec uses vacuum casting with their resin casting. That creates crisp detail and minimizes the chance for casting flaws such as air pocks, none of which mars this kit. The facade and roof had slight warpage although it was simple to straighten with gentle heating.

One thing to keep in mind is that this is not a full kit. It is a shallow facade, "low-profile" or "flat" model. These are popular in model railroading and well known in military modeling, too.

Detail
Surface detail is quite impressive. Artitec sculpted excellent fine detail into French Office. It has recessed brick and mortar detail as well as delicate wood grain detail. Finely rendered roofing shingles are molded. Hinge and lock and hardware detail of the front door and garage door are well sculpted, as is the conduit for the front light and guttering with downspout. The window details are crisp, too.

Artitec originally started as a model railroad company. Unlike many military modeling companies, their buildings are not shot up and blown apart out of the box. If one wishes to 'shoot it up' it should be no trouble to add damage.

Instructions and Painting
The line art assembly instructions are clear and simple, illustrating four steps. A simple painting guide is included, referencing Humbrol paint.

While these may seem very simple, Artitec features expanded and detailed how-to guides on their website. It is obvious that Artitec is a model company by and for modelers.

Conclusion
French Office is a fine low profile facade by Artitec. It features excellent detail. It should be quick and easy to assemble. The excess resin does not bother me as it is easy to remove and clean up. The warping should be no problem to straighten out.

I look forward to assembling this building and look forward to integrating it into a layout/diorama. Modelers of 1/87 European structures should be excited by this model and the many others available from the modelers at Artitec. Recommended.
SUMMARY
Highs: Exceptional detail and crisp casting.
Lows: Some flash to cut away and a slight warping of some parts.
Verdict: Modelers of 1/87 European structures should be excited by this model and the many others available from the modelers at Artitec.
Percentage Rating
92%
  Scale: 1:87
  Mfg. ID: 10.232
  Suggested Retail: $16.60, € 14,30
  PUBLISHED: Jul 20, 2017
  NATIONALITY: France
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.00%

Our Thanks to Artitec!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Frederick Boucher (JPTRR)
FROM: TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES

I'm a professional pilot with a degree in art. My first model was an AMT semi dump truck. Then Monogram's Lunar Lander right after the lunar landing. Next, Revell's 1/32 Bf-109G...cried havoc and released the dogs of modeling! My interests--if built before 1900, or after 1955, then I proba...

Copyright ©2021 text by Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Nice looking, but pretty well useless unless you have an HO scale RR, or model with Roco vehicles.
JUL 20, 2017 - 08:04 PM
Defiantly not useless. Even without HO trains, 1/87 is a very popular scale in Europe, both for military and civil modeling. And in 'braille scale', larger and deeper dioramas are practice. Even 1/72-1/76 modelers can use 1/87 for Forced Perspective.
JUL 21, 2017 - 08:30 AM
Having looked at their website I am impressed with their buildings, it is something of a shame that they are not more readily compatible with the normal military small scale. One thing that drew my attention in your review, Fred, is why do you say this is a Notary's office? I don't see that in their description anywhere. Thanks however for introducing me to the word muntin... Always nice to learn something new.
JUL 28, 2017 - 02:04 PM
Hi Matthew, Thank you, I fixed the review. I would swear that when I went to their site to copy the name of the model that Notary was shown. But now it is not. (There are two notary buildings in their catalogue but they are much larger facades.) However in my defense, here is the URL I copied from their site at the time of the review (emphasis added): LINKnotarys-office "Muntin" - that is a fun word. I did not know what to call those items and looked it up in contractor and window sites.
SEP 03, 2017 - 10:30 AM
The model is complete. Here it is with two Artitec AFVs.
SEP 03, 2017 - 10:45 AM
   
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