As any of you know who watch Eastenders, the long-running drama from the BBC and one of the UK's most popular shows on television, there is one location that any fan of the show can name. The "local" in Walford Square, The Queen Victoria pub, is a frequent place of drink, festivity, infighting and all-out brawls, and easily the most visible location on the set of the show.
My model is the second version I have built. The first was a donation to PBS and was used to raise funds in the US to air the program.
The second is a commission and is nearly ready for delivery. Both are built in 1/24 scale, resulting in dimensions of approximately twelve inches high and sixteen wide (30 cm x 41 cm). Both models portray the prominent two sides of the pub, since the rear two sides are not shown on the set.
In both cases, I used a frame approach rather than solid walls, due to the numerous windows, doors and angles across the surface of the lower portions of the structure.
In the second draft, I did use solid panels with window openings on the top half, and created better looking window frames to better match the jagged style of frame used on the set piece.
Nearing the bend, starting to look like a pub. This is the first draft nearing structural completion.
The general shape and appearance is intact, minus the front lamps, sign and exterior minor details.
I'm about this close with the second version, and I will post photos of the work in progress in the coming weeks.
But then, drumroll! The Idiot Award goes to...... me! For building and having a sign painted in 1/12 when my structure is in 1/24. So.... I build a new sign in 1/24 and had it painted. It should arrive shortly and then I can complete the project. See?
Here is the right side. The delivery door seen on the lower right side of the image opens up to reveal 3 switches, which control the three modes of lighting for the pub: only outside lights, only inside downstairs, or only inside upstairs, or of course you can choose to have all lights on.
Here is a shot with all lights on. Note that these "light" shots were taken before the sign and foliage are installed.
Thanks, nice meeting you in ATL and hope to see you soon!
I've never watched Eastenders, but I've seen enough RL English pubs to know that your Queen Vic looks real!
Wow, Erik, it's a perfect match! Bummer about the sign but now you have it on-hand if you ever need to do a 1:12 model.
Fantastic impressive work, Erik! Oh, that mistake of the sign of the Queen ;)!
It is wonderful. Would you be willing to share a couple of things? Where do you get the letters for the pub name? How do you do frosted glass? Thank you.
Hello Em, I laser cut the letters in this case. It best matches the actual pub lettering instead of hand-painting. FOr the glass, do you mean the windows? The glass in the windows is just a pattern of glass with some frosting (I didn't want to allow much view of the interior).