Loading Three Hudson Skips

Over the course of a few days I have loaded my three U-tub Hudson skips. Using 5-10 minutes at a time it's quite fast to get decent loads in place. I now consider the skips finished.

Three loaded Hudson underground skips finished. Cheap 3D printed models that can be treated to look like something a lot more substantial.

The task of getting loads in the skips began in my shed where I store a supply of styrofoam in different thickness. I cut three rectangular pieces of differing height. Cutting the styrofoam was also done in the shed as small bits of styrofoam will invariably end up everywhere if cut inside the house. 

I glued the styrofoam inside the skips' tubs with white glue. Once dry I shaped the top of the styrofom to look like a load of ash or general waste from the workings of the gravel company. I added finely sieved gravel to the styrofoam shapes and used my usual glue mix of white lue, tap water and washing up liquid. The mix was applied with a syringe and once the gravel was flooded the skips were set away to dry. In one of the tubs I embedded some planks, in another some rags and a used paint tin. Once dry I further detailed the loads with some broken up concrete floor, paint and pastel powder and some branches.

Cutting styrofoam at the worktable in the shed.

Basic shapes of loads glued in the tubs ready for detailing.

One load is glued and painted while the glue still dries in the two skips to the left.

Weight naturally increased a bit with the gravel loads. The lead strip in the bottom of the tub and the light styrofoam filling ensures the skip isn't getting top heavy and unstable on rought track. A method I developed in my 1/35 scale modelling days.

 

Skips loaded with ash, broken up concrete floor, planks and dirt mixed with rags, branches and paint tins. No sorting of garbage and safe disposal in the 1950's. All Nystrup Gravel garbage was disposed off in emptied gravel pits.

The skips have made a fun, although slightly slower project than expected. The 3D printed kits are well made and with suitable modifications and treatment almost every sign of these being 3D printed models disappear.

I know I couldn't fool anyone, but it's fun experimenting with different techniques to make a photo of my models appear old at first glance. Practice makes perfect - or a little better, at least.