2011. Javelin Kit GWR Dukedog
Entry posted by ROSSPOP
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I always wanted a Dukedog when working in 4mm, so this was a kit I could`nt resist. I`ve based her on 3216 in 1945 condition as the kit had a plain tender and matched the picture I had found.
I purchased replacements for the dome and safety valve and leading driver chassis spring detail , together with all the cab detailing parts from HobbyDevelopments. I hate etched lamp irons so replacements were obtained from Laurie Griffin Miniatures.
I chose a Slaters enclosed gearbox and Mashima1833 motor.
As always, I started proceedings with making the coupling rods.
Then assembling and preparing the frame etches to take roller bearing hornblocks. This time I used the delux version.
Assembling the chassis using axle jig was straight forward
For the front bogie I used Slaters hornblocks as these could be shaped to match the inner bogie side frames and allow some ride height adjustment when set up in the main chassis.
I opted for springy wire rather than the springs as these were too fierce for the bogie application.
I ended up with a nice fully sprung chassis and proceeded with adding wheels and motor plus breakgear to make sure all fitted well with no potential for shorting out as she eventually will have DCC sound.
Also, I needed the motor in place in order to shape and fettle the firebox around the motor at a later stage.
Next up, was the footplate and cab. The kit instructions a pretty straight forward here.
The firebox is an easy build bt you do need to add extra metal fillet at the front in order to safetly shape the top edge.
Then on to fitting everything around that motor, in my case , making allowances for having a sprung chassis.
Then it is on to shaping and soldering up the smokebox and fitting the brass tube boiler in between. I also had to fit and modify the whitemetal cosmetic `bearings`.There was a gap to be filled with scrap brass where the rear splashers enter the front of cab.
Care is needed to make sure of squareness in all planes before final solder.
There is a lot of detailing work around the front boiler and bogie
From here on in it is pure detailing...... starting with marking out and soldering the boiler bands which are supplied within the kit.
I`ve previously mentioned replacing the dome and safety valve for better examples, but that is a personal choice.
I also replaced the buffers with more accurate versions from HobbyDevelopments.
I think this where better quality lamp irons come into their own.
The tender construction has only one potential challenge and that is soldering the half round rod to form the tender beading.
The parts make into a very neat chassis. I opted for fabricating a sprung centre axle only.
The rest of the tender build is very easy and enjoyable and overall makes into a very stable model.
Etch primer finish from Phoenix/Precision and a final coat of their satin varnish.
I have already mentioned replacing all the cab detailing parts with those from the HobbyDevelopment range and I think this is important with an open cab loco.
I have now fitted her with DCC Sound.
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