This has all been very quiet recently. I thought it was time for a bit of an update on some of the things I’ve been up to for myself.
Whilst doing the test builds for the Rumney Models Air Ministry tank wagons I took the opportunity finished off a few of my other models. Some of these have been hanging around for too long.
14T National Benzole Class B Anchor MountNational Benzole Anchor Mount (3).JPG
Featured in my last post on here, it is now ready for painting and some custom transfers featuring that lovely mercury head logo.
14T Benzene Class A Anchor MountBenzene Anchor Mount (1).JPG
Again, this featured in my last post. It has gained heating coils as the prototypes did at some point between National Benzole being taken over by SMBP and the end of steam.
Printed Anchor Mount BodiesPrinted Anchor Mount Bodies.JPG
The etched anchor mounts look good but it’s hard work to get a good result around the saddles. A recent commission project meant I had to do some printed samples of a tank wagon. I was quite impressed by how well certain elements came out, especially the fit of the things attached to the tank so I had a go at doing some printed anchor mount bodies. The bigger one is a 20T class B and the smaller a tar tank. There are etched underframes to go with these which await their turn on the workbench.
14T Benzene Class A 1930s Cradle MountBenzene Cradle (3).JPG
This follows naturally on from the Air Ministry wagon kits that I’ve been working on. By the 1930s cradle mounted tanks were becoming rare though National Benzole had a thing for them, and Gloucester were still building them for that company in 1937. This is an ex National Benzole tank which will be painted in Benzene livery to go with the anchor mount.
14T ESSO Class A Air MinistryESSO Air Min (3A).JPG
This was started in the days before I had a 3D printer with more etchings and some cast crossbeams. It represents one of the last batch of Air Ministry tanks built by Chas Roberts which featured the 1939 RCH spec underframe.
In addition to the tank wagons I've been working on some vans and minerals
Gunpowder VansA long time ago I started an etched kit for an LMS/LNER/BR Gunpowder Van. This hit the wall when Rapido announced their RTR model. When I got my printer I was looking for a van body to have a go at printing. As the artwork was done I re-imagined the etched kit as a mostly 3D printed one but still with an etched subframe and roof to get that lovely thin sheet metal look.
LMS UnfittedGunpowder Van - LMS Unfitted.jpg
Not all gunpowder vans got retrofitted in the late fifties. This is a model of one that escaped the fitting of a vacuum cylinder. Chains have been added from twisted wire.
BR RetrofittedGunpowder Van - BR Retrofitted.jpg
This is a model of one that did get a vacuum cylinder as part of the modernisation program. It features the correct low slung vacuum cylinder that was a feature of these conversions.
BR New Build FittedGunpowder Van - Fitted.jpg
Two lots of Morton braked vans were built new with vacuum brakes by Swindon in 1956. These had the vac cylinders in a more conventional position through with a strange heavy duty safety arrangement.
LMS D2134 16T MineralLMS D2134 Mineral.jpg
I seem to be doing my best to avoid building ‘standard’ welded minerals. The LMS built two batches of 16T minerals to 2134 diagram and one of these featured riveted end and side doors. The basis for the body is the Parkside kit and the end door is a spare from the Parkside riveted mineral. Rivets have been added by drilling holes and filling them with 0.3mm plastic wire. Not quick but easy enough and the inside gets done at the same time. The underframe was an experimental part printed/part etched affair.
BR 1/208 Standard VanBR Standard Van.jpg
Another experimental part printed/part etched underframe affair with all those lovely solebar brackets reproduced. This worked better than the mineral.
BR Standard Van - Weathered.JPG
Finally, just to show that some stuff actually gets finished, the same van painted and weathered. The weathering was great fun. I’m looking forward to doing some more.
Justin
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