Modeler’s Reference Photos

New photos added to several categories Dec. 2018!

Reference Photos - Doors 

Reference Photos - Windows 

Reference Photos - Roofs 

Reference Photos - Utilities

Reference Photos - Weathered Wood

Reference Photos - Weathered Metal

Reference Photos - Sidewalks and Concrete

Reference Photos - Bricks 

Reference Photos - Stone Walls 

Reference Photos - Steel Drums 

Reference Photos - Swamp Coolers and A/C

Reference Photos - Pipes and Valves

Reference Photos - Signs

Reference Photos - Windmills

Reference Photos - Mailboxes

Reference Photos - Fire Hydrants 

Reference Photos - Tanks (Water/Fuel/Air) 

Reference Photos - Bedframes and springs 

Reference Photos - Rusted Relics  

    A photo album of early vehicles in an advanced state of decay.

New pics are added from time to time, so check back frequently. New categories may also be added.

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As a builder of scale models, I often find myself looking for reference photos of specific things such as old doors, old windows, roof details, etc. I know other modelers (and artists) also search for these kinds of photographic reference. So I’ve decided to organize some photos by topic as a handy reference source for modeling, weathering, or art.

Email me at raydunakin@aol.com if you need high resolution images, or want to suggest additional topics, report broken links, etc.

Additional Reference Material

Ghost Towns and Mines

Photos of ghost towns, mines, and other historic places. A great reference source for miner’s cabins, headframes, hoist houses, small town structures, etc.

Vintage Machinery and Vehicles

Photos of interesting mining equipment, machinery, vehicles and other equipment found at ghost towns, mines, or elsewhere. Includes a variety of hoists, stamp mills, aerial bucket trams, compressors, etc.

Material and Suppliers

Here are some of the materials I use in my models, and links to suppliers.

Sintra PVC foam board:

I just started using this in 2012, and have made a few buildings with it already. It’s great stuff, versatile, sturdy, and easy to work with. It can be cut with with an X-acto knife,and can be scribed or embossed to represent stone, brick, or wood. I get if from this source:

http://www.foamboardsource.com/sintra-pvc-foam--sintra-pvc-board.html

They sell it in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, and don’t require a large order.

Glues:

When working with Sintra, there are two types of glue that I use most frequently: For some large PVC-to-PVC joints, I use PVC pipe cement. For most other joins requiring more precise application, and for attaching styrene to PVC, I use Weldon-16. I get both of these from a local plastics dealer, but most hardware stores should have them too.

Occasionally I use thick CA  (cyanoacrylate) adhesive, aka, “super glue”. I just get the “house brand” from the nearest hobby shop. I also use their “accelerator”, a spray that is used to rapidly set the glue.

When working with styrene, I use a solvent called MEK. It’s available at most hardware stores. I bought a quart can of it, and pour it into a small bottle that has an applicator brush attached to the cap.

Silicone Rubber Molds:

The material I use for making silicone molds is called OoMoo 30. I like this stuff because you mix it in equal parts by volume, not by weight, so you don't need a fancy scale. It's also pretty forgiving of minor inaccuracies, so you don't have to worry about being super precise. It's made by Smooth-On and you can order directly from them, but I get it from this art supplier:

http://www.dickblick.com/products/smooth-on-oomoo-30-silicone/#items

Copyright Notice:

The contents of this entire site are property of Ray R. Dunakin III except where noted, and may not be used without permission.