Those of you who have seen Highbridge know that many of the town "non-railway" buildings are still temporary card mockups. The final versions and new buildings for Dartmouth need to be roofed appropriately so I am in the market for decent tile sheets for Somerset and S. Devon.
I believe that Pantiles and Double Romans made from fired clay are the correct types for 1913 Highbridge and 1875 Dartmouth.
John Palmer wrote:Paul, try
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32891296599.html?spm=2114.12057483.0.0.67632726jlGIFZ. Our (Burnham layout's) principal source of supply for these sheets was Penduke Models, but their website no longer carries this item. I reckon some factory in China is knocking them out and that a variety of different retailers may be carrying stocks of them from time to time. Aliexpress may well be the most stable source for them, and at the time of this posting the link I have given still works.
My double Roman tile sheets arrived from AliXP ordered from John's link and, on opening the package, my immediate reaction was that they have sent 7mm version.
In between rain showers I have measured a real sample from my garden of Double Roman, as common in Bristol....used in 1920s roof on my home and compared to the AliXp ones they are not accurate scale.
Anyone who has replaced such a tile on their roof will know that the sizes varied between manufacturers so matching is tricky. Thus my reference sample may be atypical but I believe the variations were small, only an inch or so.
Measured exposed sizes ( actual tile is bigger to provide overlap)
Reference sample :
width 11.5 to 12", length 13.75", Ridge pitch 6", Ridge depth 1"
Scaled to 4mm:ft :
width 4mm, length 4.6mm, ridge pitch 2mm, ridge depth 0.3mm
AliXP plastic sheet:
Width cant determine in a sheet, probably 10mm, length 6mm, Ridge pitch 5mm, Ridge depth 1.7mm
Conclusion:
AliXP sheets are oversized, especially the ridges are pitched x2.5 too wide and roughly 6 x too deep! My measurements suggest these are a poor representation and as they are not cheap, a poor buy. Maybe better for S or 7mm scale?
Does this matter?
Scaling some measurements is known to " look wrong" so I would not be totally hung up on the length and width but the depth of ridges is a killer, they do not look right.
Editor Tim, who occasionally has strong opinions with which I disagree, saw these and was scathing. I reluctantly admit that he is right
Thats his ration for this year!
Knowing John to be a meticulous modeller, I followed his recommendation to acquire these and conclude that I have not bought what he has used on Burnham.
PS
EditorTim of Clutton fame used HO pantiles by Kibri part marked 4142. Of course most of Clutton's buildings are viewed from a considerable distance so the finer appearance is good.
Googling for these shows some suppliers say " no longer made" or just no stock.
Kibri also appear to have redesignated them as 34142......
GaugeMaster's website show " available to order" so I have asked for some .....delivery date awaited.
I have a few in stock from old suppliers, no longer with us. I need to buy more .....