The Frateschi Platform and roof kit is a great kit for new and experienced model builders. All Frateschi kits are available from Dream Trains. These kits need some work done for parts to fit perfectly and will need some paint for further improvements.
What You Will Need:
- Sharp hobby knife. We use Excel hobby knifes and #11 blades.
- Sprue cutter (optional).
- Cutting mat.
- Needle files and sanding blocks/sticks.
- Ruler and small square.
- Plastic cement of your choice. We use Tamiya Extra Thin cement.
- Mini clamps and / or tweezers.
- A filler to fill in gaps and holes. We use Tamiya putty.
- A plastic primer of your choice. We use Tamiya Grey primer.
- Masking tape of your choice. We use Tamiya masking tape.

Starting The Building Proses.
Open the Frateschi kit and spread the content out on the table. Included in the package will be:
- 3 Platform pieces
- 1 Roof support
- 2 Corrugated sheets
- 2 Pillar supports
- 1 Bench
- 1 Dummy light
- 2 Signboards (empty)
- 2 Rectangular support pieces for platforms
- Brazilian instructions

Preparation.
Preparing the model before starting the build is very important. The model still has some releasing agent stuck to the plastic (used in the manufacturing process). This needs to be washed with warm soapy water and a soft brush (old toothbrush). Remember to dry the parts with a paper towel after rinsing it with clean water.
The pieces also have a lot of sprue that needs to be removed before the building process starts. They need to be filed/sanded away or the parts will not fit properly. Be careful to not sand away too much of the plastic parts.
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Releasing agent / Oil on the parts. -
Excess sprue that needs sanding. -
Using a sprue cutter to cut away parts from sprue. -
Use a needle files to file away sprue. -
Use a sanding block for the bigger surfaces. -
Top pillar sprue filed away to fit the holes on the platform. -
Platform parts don’t align perfectly and needs sanding -
Use a sanding block for the platform.
Test fit all the pieces after sanding to make sure you don’t over sand or file the pieces.


Assembly: Platform
Turn the platform pieces upside down to reveal the designated locations to glue the rectangular supports that will keep the 3 platform pieces together.
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Use minimal glue to prevent any marks on the kit. -
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Support signboards with tweezers until glue is set.
Assembly: Roof
Turn the roof pieces upside down and place the roof supports on the roofing parts and line them up so that the support pieces push up against the roofing beams. Make sure that the roof and roof supports are squared up.

Using clamps, clamp the roof parts together and use Tamiya extra thin glue to glue the pieces together.
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Using a sanding stick as support for the clamps. -
6 clamps will be enough to space out the pressure evenly.
Assembling the posts, make sure to install them square and glue them to the roof support piece.

The final step is installing the roof with the post uprights to the platform. Like with all the other pieces make sure the pieces fit square.

This is what your final product should look like. We used the tweezers to hold the signboards upright because the glue did not set yet.
Improvement
Improving the Frateschi platform and Roof kit can be accomplished without a lot of work. Use simple paint colours and figures to improve the kit to fit better with realistic scenery and buildings in it’s surroundings.
Final Thoughts
The Frateschi Platform and roof kit is one of the easier kits on the market and very well priced. The kit will need some work and altering for all the pieces to fit perfectly. Remember that most of the items and tools are available at Dream Trains.