009 A1 Models Box Cab Kit.

These have lain unfinished for some time.

On receipt of a couple of new KATO 11-109 motorised bogies it seemed the right time to compare the new offering with the original 11-103.

Firstly the A1 kit builds to a very solid 009 model with little cleaning up of the etch and once a quick swipe with a glass fibre brush solders together easily.

Once assembled they were both given a couple of coats of red primer before the final coat of maroon was applied. When dry the roof was hand painted dark grey and numbers added. Then a coat of satin varnish sealed it all before glazing from a kit bubble card was fitted using canopy glue.

The only modification to the body was a couple of brass rod pieces attached at the lower part of the body side to aid attaching to the KATO bogie. I must add that spacers need attaching front and rear of the motor bogie to keep the body square. This is because the fitting clips are offset on either side so will skew if not retained..

This shows the differences between the two- the 109 is the lower chassis. They are totally interchangeable and will be run to ascertain the running differences. All I need now is a couple of model generators to fit so you are unable to see straight through the finely etched grills!