News from your model shop - 6th August 2023

Hello

We try to listen as much as we can to what modellers tell us and a recurrent request has been to have track screws. Nails and pins are convenient but sometimes, you need to have a better hold. These screws are the perfect size to hold the track and they can easily be removed without damaging the track. We recommend you use the designated screwdriver for best results. Click on the pictures for more details.

Let us know what you think and what other items we should keep in stock.

Most images in this newsletter are clickable for more details.

Scatter is the term used to describe any scenic material that is fine enough to be sprinkled onto a layout or diorama to develop specific surface textures.  As such, it is produced in a variety of formats which cover a broad scope of surfaces and substrates.  When we think of the term 'scatter', invariably we think of grass of varying shades but the term inevitably covers so much more than that.  Scatter can also mean other types of foliage such as heather and gorse and can also be denser material that will allow a modeller to create bushes and dense undergrowth.  Scatter can also be said to include non-organic surfaces such as asphalt, granite and also encompasses the materials used by modellers to ballast sections of track.

Perhaps the most common form of scatter used by modellers is that used to create various types and hues of grass.  This form of scatter tends to be extremely fine and is generally composed of cork or fine wood particles that have been coloured in specific shades of green.  These differing shades can be used in combination with each other to indicate different types of surface vegetation.  Different grades of scatter can be mixed together to create bespoke surface shades for those looking to blend differing effects together.  One of the most established suppliers of scatter material is the British company Javis.  They have an extensive range of colours and hues which are supplied in bags of approximately 40 grams.  For modellers looking to create a simple grass surface with some simple variations, the 'Dark Green', 'Light Meadow Green' and 'Rough Pasture' options would be a good place to start.  All are supplied by Javis and are simple and cheap options to start creating a suitable environment.



The materials mentioned above are ideally suited for modellers looking to create gardens and parks or other urban or semi-urban environments.  For modellers looking to create a more rural scenario, there are also suitable options from the Javis range such as the 'Heather' and 'Moorland' mixes.  Additionally, they may well be useful ingredients in helping to create the more random forms of vegetation found in railway embankments and verges.  These areas are much more haphazard in nature and are prone to overgrowth.  As such, this is typically where a modeller will look to bulk out the applied scatter to mimic greater and thicker ground cover.  The scatter material best suited to this is generally referred to as flock and is generally made from foam or sponge which is ground or cut to specific sizes.  A good example of this type of material is the 'Micro Flock Light Green' by Busch.



As mentioned earlier, scatter can also be used to create non-organic surfaces and substrates within the environment.  Perhaps the most commonly used type of non-organic scatter used by modellers is the material used for ballasting track sections.  Depending on the area in question, this can vary in colour and size as befits the differing materials used in different regions in the real world.  In addition to this, modellers can also use scatter-based materials to create other significant layout or diorama features such as road surfaces or footpaths.  The 'Extra Fine Granite' by Javis is an extremely versatile substrate that can be used in a number of ways including modelling loose stone such as scree, rocky paths and also as a specific cargo in a wagon.  Similarly, the 'Desert Sand & Stone' mix could be a very useful option for diorama modellers looking to create a desert scene or otherwise arid environment.  Roads can be potentially awkward features to integrate into a layout but the 'Grey Tarmac' option can be a great help for a modeller creating their own bespoke road or path surfaces.



Having looked at various types and options for scatter, it is also worth spending a little time to look at the options for applying it to a layout.  Many modellers will use a form of white glue or PVA glue to attach scatter to a layout.  This can be easily watered down to allow it to be sprayed from a bottle or applied by brush.  A number of manufacturers have also provided adhesives specifically for applying scatter.  The 'Deluxe Spray Glue' by Deluxe Materials is supplied in a 100ml bottle which is ideal for application to all types of terrain.  Similarly, the 'Scenic Glue' by Woodland Scenics is a PVA derivative that is supplied in an 8fl Oz bottle and is especially useful in attaching denser forms of material to bulk out undergrowth.  Another variation on the theme is the 'Ballast Magic Kit' by Deluxe Materials.  Intriguingly, this is a powder-based adhesive that is mixed with the required substrate and then activated by water.  The advantage of this kit is that in addition to the powder, it also provides a suitable spray bottle and a marked mixing measure to help ensure the optimal mix.



Scatter is an extremely useful and versatile material for a modeller to have in their armoury.  Cheap and easy to use, it can be used to create a wide range of urban and rural environments.  Whether an expert or a novice, all modellers will be able to create visually appealing and life-like environments for their particular project.  Scatter is also generally non-scale specific, meaning that most products can be easily configured and integrated into a wide range of modelling scales.  This last fact is of particular use to diorama and wargaming modellers who may be working in different scales from railway modellers.  In more intricate settings, different scatter types can be blended together to create a significant array of features, such as mixing fine grain and flock together to create multi-tiered undergrowth.  Flock can also be sized and shaped easily with scissors or a hobby knife to create sufficient canopy growth for various trees and bushes.  With the vast array of different products and a great many ways to mix them, it has never been easier for modellers of all abilities and genres to create stunningly lifelike environments for their projects.

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