As I mentioned earlier now seems a good chance to build this kit, or rather the second one of the two in the kit. The instructions are essentially a nice sketch of how it goes together together with some drawings of various possible formats. I can't remember if there was another sheet with this giving dimensions, but I do remember having to to a lot of research as to height and such. From there I'm essentially guessing by extrapolating the drawings for things like how high the platform sits on the post. I'm building the middle one, GWR style - this seems to have been a fairly standard BR alternative to the double ladder set up on the right.

What you get in the kit is a little sparse looking, (don't forget there's another one in the bag too) but you get what you need to make the repeater. They were mounted in so many different ways I guess making a universal kit is impossible, so it's kind of 'left for the modeller to...' That said, to make the GWR version you only need a post as the ladder is in there. I think you can get one from MSE, but I just went mad and bought their Tubular Post Pack which has all sorts in. Luckily, since to get the wires to the lamp means swapping thin tube for the wire the lamp normally sits on. There's nothing provided for any counter-balance arm or such, and as yet I've not managed to find a photo to see how it would work, so I'm quietly ignoring it. There's also no cap or finial for the post, again I've not found a clear photo so it'll be a GWR one unless I find otherwise before getting there.

So to making it. The platform everything goes on a simple fold to get a U channel. This will need an extra hole for the control wire when I get there. The post has been cut to the same length as the first one, 18ft if I remember right. The, er, 'case' the arm sits in is a simple fold up, with a strip of brass soldered round to get the depth. I just 'rolled' the strip round a till-roll center, followed by a handle of the craft knife and there it was. The instructions aren't chronological so it's really important to work out the correct order - like painting the arm and opaque glass before assembly.

The lamp has been prepared as usual, and now it's glue and paint drying time.