Having got a tad bored of drilling little holes in my 70 ft stock in order to attach grab handles I've put them to one side - I'm very easily distracted as well which doesn't help. I've done a bit more work on the BSL Centenary all third, it's has door hinges, handles and door handles fitted and the roof has been cut to size and the requisite vents added. Now needs masking for the blood to be added. The photo shows it next to an airfix composite to give an idea of the actual differences in the coaches. I intend using some cut up interiors from the composite to make the required seven compartments. I should have plenty as I'm going to use the frames of two coaches when I make the BSL restaurant cars which I'll do when I find the kits I've got squat away.

The other centenary I've had a go at- I couldn't resist seeing if it was possible - is the left handed brake third. The Hornby (ex-airfix) model is the right handed version. Its quite straightforward to get the sides right - you cut out an equal amount of each side - I think it was about 96 mm, splice each side up to move the windows around, glue them back together in the right order and then insert back into the coach sides. The luggage section of each was identical (or seems to be). I sanded the new side pieces on the table before gluing them back in, as this seemed easier. The problem is going to be ensuring you have smooth sides (there are no door frames to hide the cuts) I think I'm getting there but I've just given the resulting coach a spray of undercoat which will I am sure reveal all.

The roof was changed by splicing off the vents and putting each one on the opposite side of the roof. Effectively mirroring their old positions. Any moulded handrails have been cut off and the coach drilled to accept new wire ones. I've not added these yet pending any more sanding that needs doing.

Any way here are the pictures along with some of the original coach showing that right and left handed versions are mere mirror images.

I'm looking at the drawings for the brake composite and wondering if i can do this by cutting up a composite and a brake third but I'm inclined to think I'll have more success with the BSL kit, unless the Comet sides will fit the Hornby coaches - now there's a thought.

And I promise I will get those grab handles on the 70 ft stock.

Rovex