While I continue to ponder exactly what I am going to do with the village end of the layout I thought another little distraction would be in order, hence I have set about an ambulance based on a Ford Model T. I did wonder if I could get away with a Polish plastic kit that is available and is an ambulance but true to my usual form I have taken the hard route. I therefore got one of the Duncan Models parcel vans which I thought could be modified. The kit as it stands should build one like this but I want it to look like this. Let the fun start!

I do really hate to say this (especially as everything else I have had from Duncans has been great), but this really is an awful kit. Bits just do not fit, location lugs have nowhere to locate and huge amounts of excess metal. The chassis, such as it is give none of the light, airy feel that is evident in the prototype. The first thing I did was to make up a more correct chassis out of brass section and completely reworked the method of mounting the wheels. This has enabled me to hollow out the rear mud guards and give a much more open feel. It is not completely accurate but is certainly an awful lot better.I then soldered up the body into one hefty lump and set about it with a selection of saws, knives, scrappers and sand papers.

A good couple of hours later I think that I am now at a point where I can start putting things back on which is far more enjoyable.