Manufacturer
Summit USA, LLC
512 Ford St.
Lake Charles, LA 70601
www.summit-customcuts.com
Era: modern
Comments: This contemporary Shell gas station is the latest HO scale offering from Summit USA. The laser-milled styrene kit uses black and white styrene components and includes clear window glazing and peel-and-stick signs. The structure measures 23/4″ x 71/2″ x 11″.
The station, canopy, and pumps all use tab-and-slot construction. Well written and clearly illustrated step-by-step instructions make this kit easy to assemble, though some modeling skills would be helpful to build this kit successfully. I especially appreciated the paint recommendations included by the manufacturer.
The station is a basic rectangle with milled openings for the doors and windows. I laminated the fascia on the front and side walls above the windows with liquid styrene cement.
The bulk of the kit’s details are found on the canopy and pumps. A jig is included for aligning the styrene strips and Shell lettering on the canopy. Each pump is a seven-piece assembly that is completed by laminating the styrene components. A piece of insulated wire that must be cut into eight 11/2″ lengths is included for the gas hoses. The manufacturer suggests stripping .2″ of insulation off the end of each length of wire to simulate the nozzle.
From small towns to big cities, Shell gas stations are common throughout most of the United States. Summit USA’s new laser-milled styrene kit will look right at home on a contemporary layout.
