Two new models were built for the Mote Marine Lab this fall. They were built at the same time because of a very short time requirement. Therefore, One model was worked on while the glue/paint was drying on the other. Together, the models were completed in 52 days and required 254 hours of building time.
The model of the Mote Marine Laboratory, Center for Tropical Research was a 3/32"=1' model of a facility in existence on Summerland Key in Florida. The only hard data available was a xerox copy of the survey with notations of a setup for an open house and a plat drawing of the lots. The rest of the information was obtained from photos and measurements taken during a visit to the site as well as several e-mail exchanges for measurements I didn't get the first time.
Take a look as the model is built, starting with the buildings.
First the office and apartments for visiting scientists are constructed. (2 buildings)
The buildings were made from illustrator's board. The door and window details designed on the computer and printed on transparency paper. The railings were soldered up heavy florists wire. The net cover over the outside tanks behind the laboratory was a piece of black pantyhose stretched in an embroidery frame and stabilized with fabric stiffener. Yes, there are no shingles on the real roofs, only solar white paint.
Two views of the Laboratory building
And there are many small details that must be made such as picnic tables, boats, utility buildings and shelters
Step 2: Build the base
The base is made of 3/8" plywood and door casing on the edges, with 3/4" foam to build up to grade. Spackling paste used to fill the joints.
Installation of the bulkheads and boat launching ramps made of 1/16" basswood.
All undercoated with three coats of gesso. The roadbed is laid with plaster and the bulkeads and ramps painted.
Paint the roadbed and then trial mark the building locations (not glued down yet).
Next, the grounds are painted with white paint texturized with fine sand (it's neat to live on the Gulf coast of Florida with lots of free sand).
Now the base is done and we can go to step 3, putting the pieces together.
Step 3: Assembling the pieces
The topside details are next to be installed. Several things you haven't seen yet include the trailer with 10 kayaks, a utility building and the fence. The fence is made of aluminum screen, cut on the bias and glued to the straight pins used as posts. The gates are wire framed with fencing glued on. The bottom of the canal has also been painted blue, symbolizing the water of the gulf. All items are permanently fastened in place at this time.
Step 4: Landscaping
The model takes on life as the landscaping is added. The details are approximately what exists on the site as seen in photos. The deciduous tree are small trees from HO gage railroad kits, the palms are scratch built from plastic garden twists. The green area in the foreground of the left picture signifies a mangrove nursery that will be the eventual site of the research center expansion.
Getting close. The flagpole with flags is added next. Then the telephone poles and wires are installed. The sign at the end of the property is made on the computer and erected. Three sets of davits adorn the waterfront and the canal is cleaned so the water can be poured. I use "Pour-On" resin generally used for table tops of decopage. When it hardens, the boats can be put in place.
