Building "UPTON HALL ABBEY"...

Post by **Howard** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:41 am

Greetings to all…

Welcome to “Upton Hall Abbey”…a rather large and somewhat complicated project I started earlier this year…it’s loosely based on “Highclere Castle“…aka…”Downton Abbey”…

Pictures of the Downton Abbey/PBS 2016 Rose Bowl Parade float were used as a starting point…the float designers had already done much of the selective compressing and squeezing of the architecture…but I still had to simplify most of the surface ornamentation and small details…and decide what to leave out completely…

The project is in the raw cardboard stage right now…the base measures 8” x 10” x 3/4” thick…overall height is 10 1/8” including base…there are 9 arches and 70 windows…a sand textured painted finish and snow will follow…along with a battery powered LED lighting system…

I won’t be able to share drawings or patterns for the hundreds and hundreds of pieces…there are just too many to document and measure since most are “cut-to-fit” and applied to the basic body, the four main towers and the center tower…

Additional photos will be posted later as the project continues and when totally finished…

My very best regards…Howard…

Post by **PutzinVT** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:09 am

Pretty Amazing Howard.

Any chance for a up close picture of the crests over the main door.

Steve

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:39 am

WOW Howard... I was feeling pretty pleased with the high school building I am working on during this cold snap until I saw this! Amazing... can't wait to see more pix.

Post by **les** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:42 am

Spectacular, Howard!!! Can't wait to see the finished piece!!!

Post by **Howard** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:57 am

steve...
here's a closeup of the front door...the little "animal thingies" are actually "flatties"...hope they'll pass for lion when all the primer, sand texture, paint and other details are added...the columns and window sills are matchsticks...
howard...

Post by **PutzinVT** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:01 am

Cool thanks for the pix.

Steve

Post by **OKPat** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:10 am

Howard: F A N T A S T I C ! ! !
I love your ambition ... can't wait to see more. When you get to fabricating the Dowager Countess,
consider raisins!

Post by **Howard** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:38 am

OKPat wrote:Howard: F A N T A S T I C ! ! !
I love your ambition ... can't wait to see more. When you get to fabricating the Dowager Countess,
consider raisins!

my wife's comment..."now, that is hilarious!"...i may be making a "flattie" or two to go with the abbey...the first one will probably be a vintage burgundy and black touring car similar to lord grantham's...howard...

Post by **Lucy** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 12:31 pm

This is so incredible. And exciting and inspiring. It will be so fun to follow you as you complete this masterpiece.

It does vaguely remind me of the large buildings we saw on that Japanese picture that Maria found - lots and lots of windows to cut out.

Lucy

P.S. I vote for OKPat's comment as funniest comment of the year.

Post by **DCrowe** » Sat Feb 13, 2016 8:11 pm

You go, Howard! How incredibly impressive. It will be a centerpiece when completed.

I have never watched the show and had to google to (first) see the Rose Parade float and the real structure. The float is a work of art. The approx. 2/3 scale car is so well done. I assume those are destroyed after the parade. Sad.

Google also directed me to a jewelry box built to resemble Highclere Castle. It looks pretty good but I cannot find a size on the website. And the presence of raw laser cut wood on ANYTHING that costs £65,000 is unacceptable. Here it is:

http://www.davidlinley.com/store/home-a ... ellery-box

For your next masterpiece (like you need anyone directing your endeavors), how about The Beverley Hillbillies mansion, in real life known as the Kirkeby Estate? Clampett flatties would be awesome!