Introducing....The Aero Squadron Lounge

by brae  

My entry in the 2012 Greenleaf Dollhouses Annual Spring Fling is The Aero Squadron Lounge.  To see a list of posts showing details on how I made things or what materials I used, as well as more pictures, click this link.

On the property of the local aviation museum sits The Aero Squadron Lounge, a WWI themed lounge modeled after a French farmhouse ruin.  Outside is a replica 1917 Sopwith Camel aeroplane, and inside you will find a unique setting to enjoy a beverage and view the WWI and aviation memorabilia.  Climb the tower for an aerial view of the Sopwith Camel and picturesque grounds.  Stop in today and enjoy one of our signature cocktails: The Flying Ace, The Bombardier, The Tailgunner (limit two please) or The Barnstormer.  Please don't feed the hens.

As you can see, this is a 360° build, with the removable fireplace being the remaining component of the bombed out back wall.  This allowed me to include more inside while still maintaining a view of the inside.  It's a difficult build to photograph and is best seen in person where you can walk around and peer into all the openings.

I made just about everything for this build myself, including the 1:32 scale Sopwith Camel, dogwood tree, flowers, hens, fireplace and furnishings.  The things I purchased include the glass, plastic and metal items as well as the display cabinet, shrubs and lighting.

I will be doing the usual detailed recap posts in the coming weeks, but there are a few details I will share here in this post.  Here's where the project started.

To start with, I added two inches to the height, width and depth of the original kit.  To fill in the gaps, I used the wood cut from the side wall and the wood cut from the corners to allow access to the tower.  So, the whole kit is indeed in there, it's just all jumbled around.  :D

The outer walls and the lower portion of the greenhouse addition are pink builders foam.  This stuff was awesome to work with.  All of the outer walls were scored with a brick pattern, even though I planned to cover the exterior with stucco and leave only a few patches bare.  The tower is covered with white styrofoam sheet also scored in a brick pattern.

I was glad I did this because you could still see the stone texture underneath the stucco where I spread it thinly.  I love that extra push of realism.  I used the leftover small front windows from Baxter Pointe Villa to make the front side window.  The exterior color is Warm White by Americana.  The green accents are Clover by Folk Art.

I couldn't believe how realistic the stone looked after painting.

The tower was an interesting addition - as you can see I started with an oatmeal container.  It ended up being too short and flimsy.  The final tower is a Uline mailing tube.  :D  I put an ad on Freecycle looking for a 5-8" diameter mailing tube at least 24" tall.  I had a reply within two hours and picked it up that evening.  You should have seen their faces as I stood in their foyer wide-eyed with a huge grin and actually said, "Hooray," in a tiny sing-songy voice.  Haaaaaaaa!!

The 31" tube was exactly twice the height I needed, so that gave me two attempts to get it right.  I still have the second one left over.

The spiral stairs were my first major mathematical endeavor for the build.  They are made from styrofoam.  I'll post the full tutorial soon.

I am most proud of my metal railing, held in place with eyelets capped with jewelry findings.  I used a liquor bottle to bend the railing to the proper shape.  Tutorial to come....

The roof supports are balsa, some snapped to mimic broken rafters.

I covered those supports with cross boards cut from bass wood.

I stained the Greenleaf speed shingles prior to gluing them on since there were gaps in the boards and the unpainted side would show through.  I clipped and snapped the shingles to follow the broken pattern of the boards underneath.

The tower roof was my second major foray into math.  I found this forum thread on conical roof framing, which had exactly the reference photo I needed to help it click for me.

After the supports were formed, I added thin sheets of balsa, shown here after painting.

The support system was one thing, but shingling a conical roof is another thing entirely.  I used the same Greenleaf speed shingles, but I cut and applied them one at a time.  With all the layers, the roof ended up being very stable, so I've left it removable.

The cone cap is just a piece of heavy paper painted to match...and the windsock is a glued tube of orange cotton held in place with a head pin.  Yes, it rotates, though it pretty much always falls back into the same place.  :D

This was my first time landscaping in earnest.  I started with a sheet of builders foam for the base, and used a carving knife to slope the edges.  The dogwood tree has been detailed previously, and it had its own raised base.  The grass is Woodland Meadow Field Grass by Heki, from Scenery Express.  It's so realistic!  The mulch is from A Little More in Miniatures, and the gravel path is Woodland Scenics Ballast leftover from Baslow Ranch.

The shrubs and smaller trees are Squeeze Me trees from Model Builders Supply.  While I was awaiting their arrival, I was reduced to using aluminum foil stand-ins.  ;D

I had also originally planned to have the plane and dogwood trees switched, but when I did the layout, it just looked and fit better this way.  The tree blocked too much of the tower, and the plane was lost in the larger space on the right.

Let's not forget the hens!  The breed of hens I've made are Faverolles, a French hen suggested by Teddi.  I have a standing hen not yet completed, but I will add her later.  :D

 

I've used a few of the eggs I made, too.

The henhouse is just what was needed to fill the open area on this side.

The most challenging part of the build had to be the 1:32 scale Sopwith Camel, built from a plastic kit by Academy.

It's been a long time since I built a model car, and I've never built an airplane let alone one with rigging.  I love the way it turned out!  Click here for the full post and more photos of the Sopwith Camel build.

For the interior, I used all WWI photographs found online and built matchstick frames for each and every one of them.  There's even one of Snoopy in WWI France from It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  I've also included a recruiting poster, an aircraft warning poster, a war bonds poster with the RAF insignia, and a flyer reminding you to eat more eggs and milk...to save the meat for the soldiers.

The tables and chairs are made from patterns in the book Finishing Touches by Jane Harrop, though I modified the measurements for the pub chairs.  The metal settee was painted and upholstered.  The trunk is a kit by Catland, though I didn't use the artwork included.  I also added brass hinges and brad detailing.

After all the sneak peeks of the fireplace, it's not that easily seen in the final layout.

But, I love it and think it adds so much, and yes, it's removable.  :D

I made the fireplace holder in the floor look like steps for when the fireplace is removed.  The wiring for the fire logs has a recess to curl out of sight as well.

The vintage display case I bought has all WWI and aviation memorabilia.  The metal, plastic and leather goods were purchased, though I added labels to the metal bottles and aged the plastic compass.

The reproduction farmhouse hutch I made is now part of the bar!  :D  Did you see that coming?

I purchased some of the bottles, and Keli sent me some.  I made a number of the labels myself from images found online.  The glassware is all from The Little Dollhouse Company and is by far the priciest part of the build but looks so realistic.  I have to point out the fab paper towels from Lyssa!

The bar itself is also a scratch build using leftover wood from Baxter Pointe Villa.

There's a menu board above the front door listing the signature cocktails, though our bartenders can make a lot of different drinks.

View in through the windows.  :D  The greenhouse addition is actually an area for café tables.

Many of the interior details are lost in the overview shots, like these coasters.  These were made in Word from a biplane image from The Graphics Fairy.  They were printed on Avery labels, stuck to cardstock and then cut out with scissors.

Whew!  A lot more individual details to share, but I'll leave it here for now.  It's almost closing time besides.  Check back for more posts on the details and how-to posts!

In the meantime, I have a lot of people to thank.  First, a huge thanks to mom, Lyssa, Jeannette and Erica for all their support, opinions and help along the way.

Thank you to Kathie B, Norma Jeane, April and Dave for seeing the Lounge in person and keeping it under wraps!  ;D

Thank you to Carole for helping me avoid nonsense in French translation.  It is thanks to her that we are aware of the low ceiling and not taking a good long look at our heads.  :O

Thank you to Fran for her expertise on dogwood trees, to Teddi for her help with the selection of appropriate French hens and to Keli for all the booze...er...um, yeah.  ;]

And, a huge thank you to everyone who has commented and encouraged me throughout this build; there are too many to list!  I hope the suspense was worth it...
I really enjoyed this build.  Cheers!  :]

------
For those of you in the U.S. who'd like to see one of these theme restaurants in real life, there are still a number of 94th Aero Squadron Restaurants in operation, namely in San Diego, Van Nuys, Miami and Columbus.  The one near me in Wheeling, Illinois has since closed, which is a real shame.  I spent a few birthdays there and even one New Year's Eve.  It was an interesting restaurant and lounge with good food and wonderful artifacts and planes.  Had it still been there, I would have taken some photos of my model in front of it.  :D

45 comments

Comment from: Terry Scott [Visitor]
Wow! Wow! Wow! I never would have guessed your idea. This is so realistic. You absolutely should win the Spring Fling.
09/03/12 @ 07:22
Comment from: Elga [Visitor]
Oh, wow, Brae, you have done an awesome job, I am speechless ;-)
09/03/12 @ 07:46
Comment from: Betsy (Daydreamer) [Visitor]
Unbelievable!!!! Awesome Details!! Super Original Concept!!! As usual, I am intrigued, Amazed, Awed and Hugely Admire your Talents!!!
09/03/12 @ 08:23
Comment from: Debra (armymom166) [Visitor]
Fabulous! All I could say when looking at each picture was "wow". Totally worth the wait, and what a terrific job. Now I have to look at the pictures again... and again... :0)
09/03/12 @ 08:27
Comment from: Lyssa [Visitor]
Woohooooooo! So glad to see it public now. I was happy to be part of the building process with you. :) LOVE IT!!!
09/03/12 @ 08:30
Comment from: Fran [Visitor]
I want to use all the superlatives I know -- and that still might not be enough! Much further study will be needed to absorb it all; thanks for making that possible -- if it's hard to appreciate from the photos I know I would be blown away to see it in person! Love the insipration; thanks, as always, for sharing. (I'm not competetive, but you should win . . .)
09/03/12 @ 08:41
Comment from: Mad for Mod [Visitor]
Wow! With all of your hints, I would have never guessed...this is amazing!
09/03/12 @ 08:43
Comment from: Evelyne [Visitor]
a-ma-zing!!! I'm totally impressed, wow!!!
09/03/12 @ 09:11
Comment from: April [Visitor]
I am so thankful for having been able to see this in person when it was nearly complete, the last final touches really put it over the top too. What more can I possibly say other than this is another fantastic build that inspires us all to make great minis.
09/03/12 @ 09:15
Comment from: Michi (Bell and Crow Miniatures) [Visitor]
Waiting to see this was like waiting for Christmas! It is a treasure! The stonework is absolutely FLAWLESS! The spiral staircase is a treat for the eye and I LOVE the railing on the small interior balcony! Looooove it! Best of luck!
09/03/12 @ 09:18
Comment from: Blake [Visitor]
Perfection!!!! I love every single detail of it! It was SO worth the wait of seeing it! I love the hens, the bricks, the chimney, the... everything! So original and executed PERFECTLY!
09/03/12 @ 09:27
Comment from: Keli [Visitor]
WOW. I'm not sure which I like more, the broken bricks on the inside edges of the walls or the conical roof. WOW. I have to look at the pictures again.
09/03/12 @ 10:00
Comment from: Rebecca [Visitor]
BEAUTIFUL! As always :) Well worth the wait!
09/03/12 @ 10:09
Comment from: Teddi [Visitor]
I've been having fits - we had a storm and lost power and I knew today was the big reveal!!! We finally got power about 10 minutes ago - and I was delighted to get here and see the whole project! Brae - your creativity and attention to detail is beyond my imagination! Everything is done to perfection...you can almost hear the echo of the pilots voices from days gone by... Everything is so awesome, and all of the details are so perfect! The tree looks wonderful outside the building, the plane is perfect in proportion to the building, the blasted out wall looks so realistic, the hens are adorable - we know the guys were having fresh omlets every day... Everything is super fantastic!!! I love the lighted scenes - they capture so much of the details - it is wonderful!!!!
09/03/12 @ 10:11
Comment from: Elly [Visitor]
FANTASTIC !!!! You do such wonderful work, Brae ! Cheers, Elly(Amsterdam)
09/03/12 @ 10:22
Comment from: Carol [Visitor]  
Brae, this is absolutely Fantabulous! Your artfulness shines down to the most minute detail. A true inspiration! I could look at this for hours (and probably will :D) . Big, Big Applause !
09/03/12 @ 10:43
Comment from: Plushpussycat [Visitor]
Incredible!!! This was so worth the wait! Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. xo Jennifer
09/03/12 @ 10:47
Comment from: Kathi [Visitor]
What can I say, but you've done it AGAIN! You have taken this kit and turned it into a masterpiece of originality and art! Thank you for sharing your photos today. I have been dying to see them! It is really hard to chose a favorite part of your lounge. The conical roof, creative exterior, bar and your Sopwith Camel are the first things that blew me away! I'm going back for another look! Congratulations Brae! I love what you've done!!!!
09/03/12 @ 10:57
Comment from: rosanna [Visitor]
Brae, it was worth waiting ! I love it to bits! I iagined something like this when I saw the biplane, there is a simlar place close to my home in Gnoa but this s out of this world !!! I love it to bits, all the lovely details , all the astonishing textures It is a masterpiece !! Thank you or sharng, Rosanna
09/03/12 @ 11:11
Comment from: PeanutPepin81 [Visitor]
You ...are ...my ...hero. Awesome.
09/03/12 @ 11:48
Comment from: pat from petitemoonbeams [Visitor]
OMG. This is awesome. The attention to detail is absolutely amazing. I would like to see this whole thing, including the process, in a format that I could just view from left to right with arrows. I find myself cheating :} by going a little too far to see what is happening! LOL Awesome. You deserve to win!!!
09/03/12 @ 11:57
Comment from: Diane Adams [Visitor]
This is a truly amazing project. So much careful detail. I would not be surprised to find out that this was winner when they are announced. Congrats on an awesome job.
09/03/12 @ 14:20
Comment from: Sean White [Visitor]
Absolutely awesome. I am amazed at the level detail you have achieved to make such a complete and seeming real scene. Simply wonderful.
09/03/12 @ 16:41
Comment from: Rosamargarita [Visitor]
Bravo! Simplemente perfecto, maravilloso. Un abrazo
09/03/12 @ 16:51
Comment from: Mini Dork [Visitor]
I am speechless. FANTASTIC!!! This is brilliant in so many ways, I am beside myself. Love love love! I expected nothing less. Truly superb work. Congrats, I can't wait to see the other entries, but don't think they hold a candle to yours! Good luck! :D
09/03/12 @ 22:01
Comment from: deb [Visitor]
Just wow. I've been following grandma's house for awhile and don't often comment on blogs but... wow.
09/03/12 @ 23:00
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments! :>> I so enjoyed this build and look forward to sharing more of the close-up details this coming week. Thanks again for all the support - it means the world to me! :yes:
09/04/12 @ 05:32
Comment from: Heather [Visitor]
Oh it looks just absolutely awesome!!! I love the brickwork especially. 0_0
09/04/12 @ 08:37
Comment from: Anna [Visitor]
LOVE it Brae!!! Great as usual! You are very talented and do wonderful work. We are all proud of you!
09/04/12 @ 09:07
Comment from: Amy Hastings [Visitor]
WOW Brae - really fabulous! This was worth the wait - good luck in the contest!!
09/04/12 @ 12:05
Comment from: Irene [Visitor]
My word! You've excelled yourself with this one. It's fabulous. I love the bombed out back bit and the brickwork is just perfect for the scene. I'm already looking forward to all your "how to" posts and wish you lots of luck with the competition.
09/04/12 @ 12:07
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you so much! :>>
09/04/12 @ 21:53
Comment from: Jeannette [Visitor]
I've said it before, but I'll say it again, WOW!!! I really love what you did with this build and I feel so honored that you allowed me share in the progress along the way! You have amazing talent, thank you so much for sharing it with all of us! :o) Hugs, *Jeannette
09/05/12 @ 06:16
Comment from: Jenna [Visitor]
Yes! It was definitely worth the suspense! Great job! Jenna
09/05/12 @ 15:57
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you!!! :D
09/05/12 @ 22:02
Comment from: Carole [Visitor]  
Oh my! I can't believe I am quoted in one of your projects!! Such an amazing work Brae, I don't know what to say... I feel very proud to have contributed, even in a totally minor way, to what is going to be a great success!!
09/06/12 @ 10:53
Comment from: Angie Hall [Visitor]
As expected, this is beautiful work. You are so talented. How do you come up with these things? Wow, double-wow!
09/06/12 @ 12:09
Comment from: Toni [Visitor]
Wonderful! Awesome! Fabulous! Amazing! The Aerosquadron - such a unique idea you came up with, and like everything you do, so skillfully, thoughtfully and beautifully done. Congratulations on another terrific build!
09/08/12 @ 13:01
Comment from: Josje [Visitor]  
Oh wow Brae, fantastic! Another project which is so original and so well executed...a joy to see everything you have made. Your stone and brickwork is super realistic!
09/08/12 @ 13:11
Comment from: Pip [Visitor]
This is absolutely gobsmackingly amazing, Brae! The incredibly realistic detail you manage to create is astounding. I look forward to more posts about it all. Do you give lessons in mini builds? &#59;)
09/09/12 @ 19:20
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you, everyone!!! :>> I'm still in the daily rat race, so I'm not able to teach any mini classes yet. Perhaps someday! :yes:
09/09/12 @ 20:56
Comment from: SUS [Visitor]
Dearest Brae I am speechless!!! But then I wouldn`t be able to send you a few words to describe my astunishment.... Its amazing, wonderful, fabulous, beautiful, intriguing, incredible, fantastic, brilliant... I don`t kow how you do it all, from where you get all the ideas, how you turn ideas into items..... As always I admire your skills and talents. You know how much I admire you and how thankful I am to you for kind info. about the ranch. But this time its over the top!! Another awesome job done!!!! Once again.....You did it! You really ought to win The Spring Fling! I wish you the very best.
09/11/12 @ 15:14
Comment from: brae [Member]
Aw, thanks a million! That means so much to me! :>>
09/12/12 @ 19:10
Comment from: jenspec [Visitor]  
Wow. I just wanted to say this is truly an amazing piece. It's so realistic and well done. I can't say enough about it...Congratulations.
09/15/12 @ 10:39
Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you!!! :D
10/17/12 @ 11:26


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