Manufacturer
Wm. K. Walthers Inc.
5601 W. Florist Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53218
www.walthers.com
Era: 1910s to present
Comments: The American Bungalow is the latest addition to the Walthers Cornerstone series. The HO scale plastic kit measures 35⁄8″ x 611⁄32″.
Introduced more than a century ago, the compact bungalow design has been popular in cities, where lot space is at a premium.
The kit consists of four walls, separate windows, doors, and main roof. The porch is a multi-piece sub-assembly. Other details include railings, stairs, downspouts, and utility meters.
The included instructions are easy to follow. The parts are crisply molded, requiring only minimal cleanup.
The kit’s design makes it possible to paint most of the parts prior to assembly.
I masked the fascia, bargeboards, and gutters before painting the shingles on the main roof. I also masked the clapboard siding before painting the trim on the walls.
The kit includes clear window glazing and printed paper window treatments. The latter makes it easy to add curtains, venetian blinds, or roller shades, preventing viewers from seeing through the structure. To avoid damaging the clear acetate, attach the window treatments with white glue or clear tape.
If you’re modeling an American city in the last 100 years, this kit is a must-have structure. Walthers also offers the Updated American Bungalow kit (no. 933-3791) with an enclosed porch and dormers. Pair these houses up and you have the start of a neighborhood.
