Hello, Attic lovers! This week I'm featuring something that I featured before, but I'm going to go into more depth on it today. Plus, I found out something about it when I was researching it, which is kind of fun!
When I was a kid in the 1970's, another kid at school mentioned that our local hobby shop (yes, those really did exist) had gotten in some HO scale Haunted House kits. I, of course, had to check that out as quickly as possible, having a train layout AND liking haunted-type stuff! In due time, I was the owner of an Alexander Models Haunted House kit!
Building this kit was different from the other kits that I had built because it was made out of balsa wood with cardstock and cast metal doors and windows! It was just the right amount of challenging and cool, so it ended up being a pretty good model.
Unfortunately, it was lost through several moves and adulthood. So, I went to find a replacement, only to find that they were out of production. Turning to eBay, I actually found a bairly started kit! I snatched it up and started building again! Here she is!
Let's walk right up to the front. All of the roofs are embossed card stock cut to shape. Lead wire runs along the ridges. The lightning rod is tilted on purpose...
We approach the side and see the bay window. The roof to the bay window is a solid hunk of balsa, carved to shape, as is the chimney
Speaking of the chimney, here you go! Whoever had started the kit actually carved the chimney. It's about all that was done but I appreciate it!
The other side is fairly plain... By the way, windows were left out of this kit by the previous owner, so I used scotch tape.
The bottom of the house shows the balsa construction.
The whole house was painted with a gray wash...
I actually kept the box! It was in rough shape when I got it, and it hasn't gotten any better...
True 1970s hobby vibe!
If you wonder where the prototype is, it isn't anywhere! They made it up!
Here's the stuff still in the box...
The plastic fencing didn't come with it. I'm planning on using it one day when I put it on my future layout...
Yes, I kept all of the little leftover bits and pieces...
Here are the instructions! Have fun reading! They really do have some good tips, though...
This sheet was much more useful to me. Pictures! Yay!
So that's how I got my haunted house back!
I mentioned that there was a surprise to this post, and here it is. When I was researching the kit, I found out that they've rereleased it! Now if you want to build this kit you can buy a whole new one! Yay!!!
Until next time, keep searching for treasure!
A nice little fixer-upper. Three bedrooms, two baths. Hot and cold running chills. (I think that's a line from Disney's Haunted Mansion?) I see that the repro costs about $85.00. I think I would make it from scratch, for a lot less money. Plus it would be more of a labor of love, to make it yourself. Plus, plus, you wouldn't have to copy this one, you could make your own design, which would be more satisfying.
ReplyDeleteI hope, when (if?) you include this in a train layout, that you somehow add a ghost or two (or maybe a skeleton) to some of your scotch tape windows.
I was gonna read the instructions but... too many words! And it's a little out of focus, sooo, not this time.
Thanks, Stu.