AVIAN DIORAMA DELIGHT

Plus Model has released an excellent Park Fountain with Swans set, scaled for 1/35 scenic projects.

AVIAN DIORAMA DELIGHT

Czech firm Plus Model offers a wealth of interesting diorama products, and the range has just become bigger due to this delightful Park Fountain with Swans (#490). It comprises four plaster-like sections for the fountain surrounds, and then in resin, the swan decoration with its plinth.

AVIAN DIORAMA DELIGHT

The outline of the fountain is pleasing indeed, having authentic curves, and worn segments on the sides and top coping stones. All you need to do is remove the slightly rough edges from the bottom of these parts before they are ready for assembly. Cyanoacrylate, such as Superglue, can be used to mate these components, but the joins are not perfect, so five-minute epoxy would arguably be better to help fill the gaps.

AVIAN DIORAMA DELIGHT

The resin swans are well detailed with feathers, but these are slightly overdone (swans appear smoother than the birds created here), and actually look more like geese… but no matter. They are cast to echo ornamental features rather than real birds, and still seem suitable for the scene. Just attach the separate head/neck parts, neaten the joins and they are ready to be attached to the plinth.

Once painted and weathered, the fountain could be depicted dried out, with just sediment in the bottom, or you could have it full or semi-laden; there are various resin products on the market to depict water, and you could also enliven the item by emulating moss/algae on the surrounds and plinth base.

This is a fun and useful product for anyone considering a park-based military or civilian scenario, with more expansive groundwork if desired. Or it could form a 'roundabout' feature at a crossroads. It costs 20.57 € and is available direct from Plus Model: www.plusmodel.cz