Bedford MK Fuel tanker.

I had been searching for one of these Airfix kits which seem to be something of a rarity. Thankfully Nigel found one on e-bay and was soon on its way.
This was obtained after the elderly Bedford had been constructed .
One unusual aspect is that the cab is completely moulded in clear plastic.
Just the transfers to add and then its finished.

Fire Station Sign..

Fire Station sign from Slaters letters mounted onto microstrip. Then the letters have been highlighted with red paint and glued into position.

009 RAF MISARAH.

 Does it all fit?

 Test fitting-all seems to have enough clearance.

 The end result as a diaorama- seems to be adequately spaced without being too cramped.

 The Squadron Leaders cap needs touching up!

 Sorry to interrupt sir!

Just needs a Fire Station sign making.

Dundas DM39-GVT 4 Ton Mineral Wagon.

I absolutely love Dundas Models kits!

From constructing nearly a hundred of the 3mm society offerings, which were produced by PD the same quality is evident in the 009 kits they produce.

This one was built in about 30 mins-allowing for the MEK to cure.

The fit of  the corners can be seen and I  cannot recommend these kits too highly- a beginner will achieve excellence without really trying!

 

SwitZer Compressor and Airbrush set.

 I had disposed of my elderly De Vilbiss airbrush compressor when the old sheds were demolished to make way for the present structure.
So, during the intervening time I had made use of various rattle cans and brushed acrylic paint.
NO MORE!
Amazon -other online retailers are available- provided this compressor, with air tank together with -not one, but two- airbrushes.
I still have my Dev Sprite and MP spray gun- which uses 1/3 cfm of air per minute. I am hoping that this new toy will enable me to use both of these old friends- time will tell.
It all works well, indeed the kit was delivered two days earlier than expected so well done Amazon.

Distressed or just mildly upset?

It has been my achilles heel to build station buildings.

At the moment I have three which will hopefully adorn  the next few efforts.

To the right is a Knightwing offering shelter, which, in the grand scheme of things, is an acceptable structure for a rural halt.

Below is the PECO 'wooden' station, LK 200, which has the main structure which has been lazer cut by an old favourite of mine 4ground.

It is a lovely kit to put together and again I dirtied it up man!

Station Buildings for 009.

 The Wills  buildings are ideal for 009 . This one,WillsSS67, is such an example. I was accused of having too clean buildings on Hillbrow, which I grudgingly agree with, so I have made another which cannot be described as pristine-.
There will be, like buses, another along shortly.

Narrow Planet - Lynton and Barnstable Buffer Stop.

I have long been an admirer of Narrow Planet and their products- I have enough of them to qualify to express an opinion!
The latest offering intrigued me enough to add a sample to my latest order (it included Beyer Peacock plates for the GVT locos) which was firedoff earlier this week.
After a day out in Dorsets CountyTown-(Dorchester
For the un-informed), I arrived home to find a NP packet lying on the floor beneath the letter flap.
I am no TV watcher, with certain exceptions, so off into the workshop with said package and emerged a short while later with a made GVT wagon and a L&B buffer stop.
Below can be seen the result of a few minutes work with a file and craft knife!
The instructions say that the loop on top of a Greenwich coupling will rest on the top if mounted at sleeper level- there is a choice to fit on top of PECO track.

009 Wagon Load.

 When I received the coal lorry from Anyscale, there was a load comprising loaded and empty, stacked, sacks.
The image to the right shows these having been undercoated and then painted a sort of em sack colour.
Wishing to getaway from the coal sack scenario. these would hold a load of undisclosed vegetables!
A bit -not a lot!- of fettling made them fit one of the 009 Society's open wagons as described previously -if you have been paying attention.
The lower pic shows load duly adhered to the wagon which ,I think, looks good.

009 Beyer Peacock Glyn Valley Tram Loco.

 I must admit that out of all the 009 locos I have, the GVT Tram loco is amongst my favourites.
Why is this? It probably stems from the fact that I have built both of them from kits and, in one case , modified the Graham Farish chassis with a Chinese manufactured armature.
The running quality is vastly improved and has given me the idea to build a GVT themed layout at sometime.
There are several locations which lend themselves to a large portion of modellers licence- Porthfadog is one that springs to mind- so watch this space!
Below is an image of the 'twins'

009 Saddle Tank.

This shows just how good the nameplates from Narrow Planet actually are.

009 Guards Van.

It is good to get back to making kits again. I have been spoiled by the kits supplied to the 3MM Society. It is therefore extremely satisfying to make 009 kits from the same manufacturer. Note that 3MM kits are only available through the Society.
This is the Dundas DM17 Vale of Rheidol 4-wheel brake van ready to receive couplings.
The kit goes together very well with the minimum of cleaning up, most was needed on the whitemetal vacuum pipes.
Undercoat, topcoat and Testors Dulcoat seals the tranfers and job done!

Romsey Model Railway Exhibition 3rd/4th March 2018

With all the preparation completed, it is with regret that, due to the uncertainty of the weather forecasts, I have taken the decision to withdraw Hillbrow.

I have spoken to the exhibition manager, Paul, and he is fully understanding.

His committee have decided to go ahead with the show as scheduled as of 11am this morning. Please do attend if at all possible, but do so safely.

I have just heard that the show has been cancelled due to safety concerns by local authority, the hall owners.

Narrow Planet nameplates.

 Having been away for a few days, it was a nice surprise when arriving  home, to find an envelope full of name and numberplates from Narrow Planet.
These I had ordered at The Ilton Narrow Gauge day in January. For custom made plates this is a decent timescale for delivery- the proofs having been received several weeks ago for approval.
I can't recommend Narrow Planet enough- it is well worth perusing their website.

https://shop.narrowplanet.co.uk/