Nieul abbey - Assembly instructions

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base de construction

For best results use 160 g/m² coated paper in A4 format. Print sheet A to C : they are mandatory to build the model ; sheet D is optional for details with very small parts. Study each part and numbering and score precisly folding lines before cutting. Cut (A) along the dotted line and glue on hard stock to form the building base. Circular holes are for access under roof to help some gluing steps later.

Form and glue part 31 (the well) on the cloister green: it will be more difficult after!

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Glue the part 1 to form the inner side of cloister. Carefully glue part 3 (terrace) along the edge of part 1 being sur to maintain terrace surface horizontal. Glue in place 3a on 3 half stradling the edge.

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Glue the set on the base checking well balanced verticality between part 3 (tab marked 5) and the line 5b on the base (south wall of the nave).

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To prepare the church (nave and transept), cut out and glue together parts 5 and 6. Cut out part 7 and glue on 6 to form all the tower base.

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Prepare nave roof gluing parts 8a and 8b just at each end to reinforce part 8. Prepare the two transept small roofs 12 and 13 in the same manner with 12a, 12b and 13a, 13b. This parts are in fact tabs for gluing roofs on part 5-6.

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Glue the church on the base against part 3. Check carefully alignment and horizontality of terrace 3.

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Cut out and fold part 2 (Outside cloister walls and roof). Assemble and glue roofs together straight parts 2a and 2b. Glue it on base and to parts 2 and 3 (inside and cloister terrace). Don't forget to glue a tab to part 5.
Glue the roof 4 in place: respect the overhanging of the roof on the cloister wall.
Cut out and assemble the rectangular building 18 (salle capitulaire). Glue it on the base and carefully against parts 5, 4 and 2. Verify alignment of south walls (parts 2 and 18).

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Glue roof 19 in place on building 18. For test before gluing, place roofs 12 and 13 checking alignment of roofing and the vertical alignment of the tower between. Place the part 13 without glue and glue in place part 12.

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It is the more difficult step in the model assembly. Glue in place the part 13. Carefully check and move parts, if necessary, before the glue drying.

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Place and glue part 10 (apse) after rounding them. Make the same with parts 11 and 14 (absidiole). Don't glue the nave roof 8 to maintain the transept wall during gluing.
Cut out and roll roofs 15,16 and 17. Glue and place checking level of roofing.

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Form parts 28, 29 and 30 (buttress). Place them gluing each one against the nave wall and on roof or green. Glue tiles (parts 28a, 29a, 30a) on the top of each buttress.

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Mount in place and glue roof 8 and roof 9 of the small tower. Now, you have in front of you the roman building before restoration of XIXe century. If you will all the present building, continue with the next step.

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To have the choice between present and past before restoration, the XIXe clock-tower is designed as a movable part.

He is build separatly with parts 20 to 27.
Cut out part 20 and score tabs. Glue along edges and add in place the part 21. Tabs on part 21 are only slightly scored : they are used to stick the clock-tower in place on the roman facade.

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After folding, glue parts 22 and 25. Check the flatness of the new facade. Place and glue bases 23 and 26 to receive roofs.

The clock-tower's roof is in two parts. Form and glue part 24 checking the square base. Form and glue part 24a. After driying glue together parts 24 and 24a : check vertical alignment.

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Roll the small roof 27 and glue on base 26. Glue the set 24/24a on base 23. The XIXth century clock-tower is finished. It is you choice to place it on the roman facade.

For small details print sheet (D). Cut out, score and glue all the cross-parts before cutting crosses. Cut out each cross after drying.

Buttress are very small parts. So butt gluing is better along the wall. Just fold upper and lower tabs. After folding a buttress butt glue it against the wall and glue the lower tab on the base. After driyng you can fold and glue carefully the upper tab.

Enjoy : its finished!

The model


Updated March, 4 2007
© 1999-2007 - P. Gauriat