I have spent 30 years making military models, winning national and international competitions. Since my early retirement, I have been working part time as a model maker in the 1/12 scale doll's house field. Over the years I have picked up many tips and tricks. Some are my own but many have come from other modellers, who are always willing to share their ideas. Help and advice are the foundation stones when encouraging newcomers to the world of model making. It would be impossible for me to give credit to the individuals who have passed on their knowledge. However I would like to express my gratitude to all the modellers I know, from around the world who have, over the years, given freely of their help, advice and encouragement.

I’ll start with a couple of tips and then try to add more each month. If you have any you would like to share, or if you have a modelling problem, please E-mail me and I’ll try to help.

Never push a knife blade beyond its useful life. It is dangerous to use blunt knives and detrimental to your models. I Use #11 scalpel blades and keep two scalpels going. One is marked up and always has a new blade. As soon as it becomes a bit dull I replace the blade and transfer the old one to the other handle for rough work. This rotation only takes seconds and by anyone's standards the blades are cheap.
An old tinplate money box is an ideal place to put old blades.
Whether you use enamels or water colours you finish up with dirty thinners or dirty water. I keep a jar of each when mixing my paints. This dulls them down and gives them a more weathered look.
Don't underestimate Plasticine as a modelling medium. I use a lot of it to fill gaps and for making sacks, etc. It can be hardened with banana oil (if you can find some), or cellulose aeroplane dope. The Plasticine on some of my models has been there for 30 years and still shows no sign of deterioration.
Many railway modellers use acrylic paints on their models but may have tubes of artist’s oils for other purposes. Talens, the Dutch art material company, makes a product called Casein Tempera Binder No.103. When mixed 50/50 with oil colours, it changes them into a casein paint. This is then water thinnable, and dries very quickly, with a nearly matt finish. This product is freely available. Check out their website for your nearest stockist.

This may be obvious to you but it never occurred to me for ages. Quite a few 00/H0 items can be used on 0 gauge layouts. For example Pigs become piglets, cats become kittens and crates become boxes. When you are rummaging around looking for 00/H0 chassis etc., keep this in mind. You never

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Other tips - the wordy ones - punch a ticket