Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic look at the Palais Garnier, May 13, 2005
This is a fairly complex and beautifully designed paper model, and if you have an interest in the Palais Garnier, in architecture, or just like working on something detailed, then I highly recommend it (although you will hopefully have a place to display it - it's going to be too big to fit on a bookshelf). The artistic features of the building have been painstakingly drawn in, and the gilded areas have been printed in metallic gold. The paper used is a good, high quality thick white stock. The finished model splits apart down the middle and across the front to show a flat interior on one side and 3-D interiors on the other. You do need patience, and a table top that won't be disturbed. I highly recommend using a "tacky" white craft glue - it sets quickly (which is a huge help here) and holds well. A hobby knife with spare blades and metal ruler are a must; a cutting matt is a good idea. I found flat wooden toothpicks and cotton swabs invaluable for both spreading glue and cleaning extraneous blobs out of tight spots.
The instructions merit a mild warning. On the very last page of the instructions is a crucial guide to the cutting and folding symbols that you'll want to refer to - in my opinion, this really should have been up front as it's easy to miss, and it's important. Next, each page of building components is clearly labeled A, B, C, etc. and each piece is numbered (A1, A2, etc.). For the first half of the model, the instructions detail each step carefully, but when you finish, it then simply says "do the same for the second half", except none of the numbered parts corresponds to how the twin component in the first half was numbered. I did the two halves fairly close together and was able to recall the sequence of steps, but my recommendation is unless you have a very good memory, do the two halves simultaneously. Furthermore, beware that while components for one building section (i.e., entrance, library, roof) were all on the same page in the first half, for the second half they are somewhat intermixed to efficiently utilize the space on the printed page. A last note on what windows get cut out - there are little scissor symbols on the page showing what windows get cut out vs. left solid, but if you compare the photographs of the finished piece you'll see that sometimes more gets cut out than is indicated.
Good luck and happy gluing - go slowly and carefully. The finished model is well worth the trouble.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Model Kit!!!!, November 11, 2004
A Kid's Review
Excellent model kit. Ever since I've been to Paris in 5th grade, I just fell in love with its architecture. These models bring home Paris to your room! MUST BUY!
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