A combination of things in the title - do it yourself transfers and why am I going this far? I could have the body assembled by now, I reckon, but it is getting to a point where the extra work seems worthwhile - I just have to keep thinking 'it'll look great once it's finished!'.

The transfer making wasn't as tricky as I feared it might have been. I ordered some of the clear and some white paper from Crafty Computer Paper, which comes with fairly comprehensive instructions. The first attempt didn't go exactly to plan - after 3 light coats of Klear sprayed on the ink ran after wetting the decal. Since that first attempt, I've given everything else one thin-ish coat of Humbrol Mattcote applied with a flat brush and it appears to be working much better. The signs were made up in CorelDraw based on photos I've found on t'internet.

The results so far:

The engine room bulkheads are now substantially complete - just need a little weathering before fitting. The painted flag and detonators in box effect looks a little crude but, in the context of the assembled model, should look OK. Just don't look too closely...

The nose bulkhead for the No 1 end is in a similar position, although I have started on the weathering of this, mostly worn paint/shiny metal so far, using Metalcote silver (Humbrol).

Once the nose bulkhead is weathered and fitted, I can make a start on fitting the cab detailing bits, and the LED cab lights. About the only cab detailing parts left to make now are the windscreen wiper motors - these will be fitted after the bulkhead is secured in place.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/1264621456/gallery_6668_11_33085.jpg

Included in the above pic are brake indicator lights, isolating switches of some kind (I think - they're fitted above the cab doors on the drivers side), cab heaters, radio and unidentified tanks that go on the secondmans side.

After finishing the cab assemblies, attention will turn to the body sides, although there is a little experimenting to be done before assembly - more of that in the next 'gripping' instalment...