The firebox sequence pics are interesting (and useful), but I'm surprised you were able to form those top curves without any pre-bending. When I tried that, the brass 'flattened' a bit between the formers. Anyway, very neat work, but the mudhole covers do look rather overscale to me - not that I'm familiar with the prototype.

When I tried that, the brass 'flattened' a bit between the formers.

Ha that is a common complaint - me2 - I've even tried annealing the brass but that doesn't seem to help as it is pretty soft quality anyway.

I guess these days the washouts would be pre-etched to save all the potential of drilling out of alignment and to make the "kit" less of a scratch aid.

Anyway, you have made a pretty impressive job of it

Thanks Miss Prism/Kenton..

Yes I have to agree the mudhole covers do appear a little over scale and as I'm somewhat short of time I just used what came in the box.

They do look worse than they should in that photo as I hadn't yet got around to cleaning up the solder.

They do protrude on the prototype but perhaps not as much as this.

As for the firebox I was in two minds as to annealing it but as the etch is only about 10 thou thick I just got on with it by pressing it down on a wooden block and rolling it while the soldering iron was applied.

I too have had mixed results with firebox wrappers but I seem to have got the hang of it now. (I hope!)

Darren.