Superb.  Maybe next time it might be easier to turn the firebox in brass and copper plate it after?

12 hours ago, Camperdown said:

Superb.  Maybe next time it might be easier to turn the firebox in brass and copper plate it after?

Thanks. I think that’s a very good idea. I’ve never done any copper plating so it would be an interesting experiment (and I’m all for those)!

12 hours ago, 5&9Models said:

Thanks. I think that’s a very good idea. I’ve never done any copper plating so it would be an interesting experiment (and I’m all for those)!

That's what I've done for copper capped chimneys for my three scratchbuilt GW 4-6-0s.  Electrolyte was a mixture of tap water, copper sulphate crystals, bought quite cheaply from a local lab supply company, and spirit vinegar.  There are much better plating recipes, but it only has to be good enough to work a bit.  You still have to burnish/polish the surface, but at least the brass turns freely.

Stewart Hine (I think) once suggested copper plating over silver loaded conductive paint, to get split axle current collection through plastic wheels.  I tried it once many years ago, without much success.

I'd like to think that your hands are the size of King Kong's. But I suspect this is not so. That's amazing modelling. Can't wait for the next update.

George

Thanks Camperdown, that’s very helpful and will provide me with another distraction. I did hear of someone tinkering with copper plating white metal with mixed success.

2 hours ago, 45587 said:

I'd like to think that your hands are the size of King Kong's. But I suspect this is not so.

Thanks George. I now have an image of me modelling with one hand whist swiping away tiny biplanes with the other…! 😄

3 hours ago, 5&9Models said:

Thanks George. I now have an image of me modelling with one hand whist swiping away tiny biplanes with the other…! 😄

... and put Fay Wray down.