A build of a 40+ year old kit

Hi Folks,

I recently purchased a Superquick Supermarket kit - series B No. 27. These were discontinued in 1976, and despite much searching, I could not find a single photograph of one on the web. This being the case, I thought it might be a good idea to photograph the build and share the results on here.I know there is a Superquick vs Metcalfe debate, and that many prefer the latter, but the Superquick models are not all bad.Looking at the kits from a technical point-of-view (I am a prepress artist by trade), I have come to the following conclusions:

Superquick took special care when choosing the inks to make the print as light-fast as possible. If they were printed in CMYK as most books, posters and a million other things are, the models would quickly fade to cyan when left out in daylight, but as it is they seem to last for decades – they certainly will last longer than anything coming off a home printer.

I like the quality of that the laminated paper onto card gives. The cutting tools, made in pre-computer days, are really very accurate, as is the register between the print and the cut. The use of every inch of space to get the maximum for your money and leaving very little waste is also really quite clever (and environmental!). The kits are not without their shortcomings, but I kind of like the underdog.

Anyhow, back to the kit!


The Kit as purchased


The complete kit – looking good for 40+ years old!


Fixing the back window in place. I tape the ends of the window, then put the wall over the windows to get the position. Blobs of PVA along the edges provide a very good hold should the tape dry out in time.


The back and front walls (far left and right) are double thickness, providing a groove to fix the side walls to.


The walls fixed together. The grooves were a little deep so I glued the sides flush with the edges of the fronts and back panels. This would cause problems later on…


The parts needed to make up one inner wall and its adjoining wall. The small brown piece fits between the other two to leave a channel for the front door.


The floor is fixed in place. Because I had made the outer side walls flush with the back wall edges, I had to add thin strips of thin card to fill in the gaps. Note the card sections fixed to the back wall to aid fixing the inner walls.


The inner walls, inside details and front door and windows in place. The instructions suggested cutting the windows where they bend and using tape to fix them together – I found that a blunt tool and a ruler made a very good crease, so no tape needed. Also, because of the before mentioned width problem, the windows and bottom wall do not meet the other side! Fortunately this is not so noticeable when it is made up. – phew!


Is this the only Superquick kit with a Ceiling? A little glue was applied to the internal walls before lowering the ceiling down. Blobs of PVA around the edges provide a good hold when dry.


Finished Supermarket. The front fixed easily in place and the roof dropped on. The roof was fixed by blobbing glue on the inside edges of the walls, putting the roof in place and then tipping the whole lot upside-down so the glue would run onto the roof and make a good join.


I find the finished building quite attractive, in a modern-kind-of-way. Perhaps changing the orange Supermarket sign to, say, Asda (look at those green doors!) would work well?




Thanks for looking at my build!

Gordon :-)

Quite neat Gordon

You've made a nice job of that, Gordon.   :thumbs

Do you have any plans to "bash" it?  Like maybe gutters and down pipes?

Hi Sol and Max,

Thanks for the comments. No plans for bashing – I don't have a layout to put it on at the moment, so I'm happy with it as is for now.

Next project on the table is an original water tower kit. I might start that this evening. I must find somewhere to put all of these kits…

Gordon :-)

I made a load of Superquik (and Metcalfe) kits over the years.  They are a great way to gain experience and look good.  I agree with Max, think about going the extra distance with gutters and downspouts - these aren't that difficult to make.

That is very nice Gordon. The shelves and stock look really good view through the window.

Hi Gordon,

Very nice. I remember these from the '70's, there were usually a couple of flats above. Couple of tv aerials would be a nice detail.

Nigel

Thats a nice little build Gordon, I think I have one of these kits hidden away in a box somewhere, A station building maybe ?  I'll have to look it out and see.
How about doing a small plank to fit on a shelf and show off the kits ? maybe with the buildings to the front and a length of track running behind so you can 'pose' a loco on it, practice a bit of scenery etc to brush up on some building skills ? It's a good way of practising things before you start on a main layout and gives quick results which gets your interest up. If it would encourage you to 'have a go' I'd even donate the building kit I have (If its in a fit state to be built that is) 

Cheers

Matt

What a great start to your modelling journey Gordon and it only gets better, so well done.

I recall the Superquick kits from my youth and I remember building station buildings and a goods shed. Progression from these was to buy the kits, use just the windows in the build and other parts as templates to produce plasticard parts to assemble, paint and detail, similar to today's Ratio and Wills' kits. Great fun. I still have a small signal cabin for my next layout.

You can still find Superquick on ebay and if you enjoyed the last one, I'd jump at Matt's offer. Top man there!

Looking forward to your next project.

Best,

Bill

Hi Folks,

Thanks again for the nice comments. I can't believe how many hits this has had in its first day!

I'm not quite as new to this hobby as it might look. I've a few of these Superquick models made up already, the others being new, really available and not so interesting. This kit was from eBay, as were some of the others.

You are all quite right that some detailing would transform this model, and there are a number of things that I'd do to it, including a new interior. I love the idea of aerials and guttering too. I think some kit-bashing of several models to create a terrace row of shops and flats could look great too!

Unfortunately…

I have a whole heap of DIY to do, having not long moved into this house. The loft is now floored with a new loft-hatch. The central heating radiators are all in ready for a heating engineer to do the boiler, and then I've got the decorating to do in ALL of the rooms.

Sigh…

No layout just yet I'm afraid.

I do run some models with my boys (7 and 4) on the kitchen table with some MDF as a base.

As some others have become, I am also disheartened by the cost of many of the new models. I do, however, have an increasing collection of Hornby, Triang (we love Nellies!!), Lima and Airfix models. They are the models that I couldn't afford when I was young, and we love running them.

One of our latest models is a Triang 3MT which produces smoke at 200mph. A Hornby class 29 which did the same, but I've managed to cure that one!

Anyhow, thanks again for all the comments.

Gordon :-)

Looks really neat Gordon a nice kit to have on ones layout. :thumbs

Hi again Gordon,

You certainly have more than you need on your plate right now, although I hope you get to play dinosaurs with those lads often enough, but how about a little 'you' time now and then? Maybe find a friendly model railway club nearby where you can take some stock, play trains and meet like minded chaps?

Bill

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your concern, but I don't do too badly really.

In my 'me' time I'm making Superquick kits and posting them on here, or repairing and servicing Ebay purchases. Then there are my other hobbies…

My local model railway club is, cough, Warley. We've been to a few open days, which are fantastic, but I have to be careful when we go as my wallet tends to come out somewhat lighter, and my bag very much heavier…

I think we might be trying out some old Triang track later today to give some large-flange models a proper run!

Gordon :-)

Good luck with the DIY Gordon,get it done quick so you can get back to modelling.

Great build Gordon. Many thanks for sharing - I'm looking forward to the next one.

Shaun.

Nowt wrong with Superquick, Gordon. It's how I started off where I built everything they had to offer but, not very well I should add!


Allan.