It's taken a long time to get here, but I've just got the one Battle of Britain to go now (and yes I have the donor ) I decided with the penultimate one to do something unique, to photograph every stage of the process (alright I forgot the donor before photo lol)

The donor was a R2458 '222 Squadron', the Battle of Britain she'd become would be 34080 74 Squadron, with a twist you see like the majority of the 34071 - 34110 series of Bulleid light Pacifics she had her 5,500gl tender swapped for a 4,500gl one when others of the class were rebuilt - hers ended up behind 34022 Exmoor and 74 Squadron ended up with Exmoor's tender!! That should of been it, however in April 1964 she had another tender swap, her tender was withdrawn with 34075 264 Squadron and she ended up with 264 Squadron's unmodified tender!! Which gave 74 Squadron a unique livery combination for the last months of her career.

The donor loco stripped of it's identity and cab lining and detailing parts added - including a set of RT Models etched drain cocks on the cylinders

Fox Transfers etched plates added and cab lining done

Cabside numbers and late crests added to tender

Transfers sealed with varnish and loco masked up ready for the paintshop

Back from the paintshop and very dirty

Final weathering is done by hand using brush, powders and pencil, then sealed with several coats of matt varnish. Before I oil her up using Tamiya Smoke, remove the last of the masking from the cab windows and fill the tender with coal.

Final detailing parts are added and she's ready for her close up