Bluemonkey presents....

Oh yes, here we go! Although first off I need to explain to my chocolate monster that the Royal Mail consumed that Aero but was not kean on resin tasting Aeros. 🤣

tried to lighten the weathering using 'new wood' colour A.MIG0037 from the same paint set. The left side crate has been dry brushed with this colour the right hand side crate has not. The camera is not really picking out the subtle differences but it is lighter and 'newer' in appearance. In fact this is more of the look I was originally hoping for than before, a crate that has been in service for a number of months, hopefully showing signs of soot, dirt and general grot from being used all over the rail network. The metal work had to be retouched as well. Really happy with the final result I just need to be able to paint another two sets to match these and then another two will be much newer looking in appearance.

I must say a thank you to @MrWolf as he nudged me to my wheel set error on the Aeri. They should be 3 hole disc not 8 spoked wheels 🫣 Also after revisiting the Aero pictures I feel the crate is too dark so will attempt to lighten the wood.

Combined with some of the Vallejo range, certainly great value and colour range.

Thanks @Mikkel I don't think I have described the latest attempts. I have used three methods in the past year. They are all very similar but using different colours. The latest on the Aero decks and the engineering open decks bases heavily on the set by Ammo MIG. The colour set is 'Tool Colours' ref A.MIG-7112. The set features 3 colours, New Wood A.MIG0037, Light Wood A.MIG0038 and Old Wood A.MIG 0036. Undercoat the wagon in general grey primer. Then in the case of the Aero I used Old Wood completely over the decks. The engineering wagons had a mixture of all three colours picking out individual planks. Once fully dry I completely cover wash with Citadel Agrax Earthshade. Leaving to completely dry then adding a wash of Citadel Nulan Oil. In the case of the Aero I picked one plank before everything dried and with the wet brush rubbed until the original old wood colour was very visible. Then let everything completely dry. Everything was then dry brushed with Gun Metal, A.MIG 0045 (handily in the same set as the wood colours), being careful not to apply too much or at all to the single lighter plank. Then another wash of Nuln Oil. The engineering wagons received a dry brush coat of a rust colour, sorry I forget which on but possibly Shadow Rust A.MIG0043, again in the set with the wood colours. Additional washes of Agrax Earthshade and Nulan Oil can be applied to deep the usage appearance. The other method is pretty much the same without the set colours. In order of application and leaving to dry completely before next step; Primer light grey (Halfords car general spray primer). Paint all timber Faded Sinai Grey A.MIG066, possibly requiring a second coat. Wash with Agrax Earthshade. Wash again with Nuln Oil. Dry brush Faded Sinai Grey A.MID066. Dry brush Gun Metal (earlier I used Humbrol 53 but now exclusively A.MIG0045) Wash with Agrax Earthshade. Depending on the appearance required or what's produced any of these steps can be repeated, doubled and added to the list. It can be a long drawn out process but is simple enough with a fairly decent final appearance (to my eyes). Hope that helps, I have not tried it on van sides or any other vertical wood so the outcome could be somewhat different for this given the angles.

Yes Chris' wrapping and packing is a thing of technical beauty as well. Looking forward to watching yours develop can not wait to set about the others on the way to.

Incredible, wow. What a magical transformation. Some superb attention to detail.

Well itchy Wednesday arrived and has now passed. I may have over done the weathering. I was looking for a well used/worked set of crates but will have a brief touch up with a dry brushing of a light wood colour. Couldn't resist adding a very light touch of rust and grim to the Areo trestles and a little to the W-irons in prep.

As always there have been a couple of builds on the go together. The Aero had been waiting for the open 5 plankers to catch up to ensure best use of the airbrush on GWR freight grey. As usual if was a long struggle to spray correctly but thankful, again, overcome. This meant the Aero wagon could be completed today as promised. Whilst paint was drying the original open had it's load of barbed wire increased. Here are the resulting wagons for your critique. First up the open wagon WD #19854. A Slaters end door opening 6 planker. Originally in black as I am stupid and did not check. The load is small new coils destined for the frontline. And the wagon that is currently hot stuff and just in time of Easter! the Aero. (mint please, yum). I decided to keep the decking as bare wood. Even if not 100% accurate I really think it makes the wagon look even better. Just need some super detailed and wagon specific transfers to add before a light weathering. Crate load, not fully finished but highlights the wagon in loaded running and shows how precise the design work is. The loads really do not need fixing and I am confident that they will remain in place when I finally run them on a layout. First up single crate load. Fully loaded And finally the pair in a running pose.

Beautiful. Not sure I can match that exquisite livery and finish but hopefully will be wafting an airbrush at it and the GWR 5 plankers today, so tomorrow should be done. May be not the crates as that strapping detail really makes me itch when painting each one. 🙃

Very much looking forward to watching your trees grow. Couldn't agree more about Chris' prints.

Well the coils can be made on the sofa, so no excuses. Just ask my supervisor. Tedious but complete. The fuse wire needs trimming and a spot of glue to hold each one, then off to the paint shop. Whilst the glue is drying I think I may have to do something with the supervisor. I think that's a hint!!!!

Head down, load up!! Coils cut and then tied with fuse wire, ready for a flash of colour and dry brushing.

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy massive thank you again. These are little crackers. Now I just need to cull the collected loco kits and bits to ensure I have enough time to do everything justice. At least I now have two work benches, one for painting and transfers and structure builds and the other for rolling stock kit builds, soldering etc.

That was what made me start thinking about the deck being painted or not. I had thought freight wagons completely grey including the under frames but certain wagons had some unpainted wood, i.e. open planked wagon and cattle wagons. I think in reality the decking would have been painted the same as the wagons, for ease and speed as well as protecting the wood but I am somewhat reluctant to change what I have done as it adds character and distinction to the overall wagon appearance. Anyway lets work on the same presumption as other 'decked' wagons like the Hydra and Loriot which to my knowledge had unpainted wooden decks 😉 Here's the first WD military wagon now awaiting the barbed wire load. Finished with a little dry brushing and a light wash, here and there. The load in it's making. That is 5 metres coiled and condensed to about 25cm.

Hope everyone had a decent festive break. Having finished the first of the opens that will have a load of barbed wire with Railtech WWII transfers and a very positive discussion about the possibility for the Aero wagon's transfers I thought it prudent to throw together the pair of Ian Kirk 5 plankers in order to utilise a waft with the airbrush in freight grey. So joining the military group. The WD wagon is waiting a light shading/weathering on the outside. The Kirk opens will be in GW freight grey and holding GWR livery. One is destined for further barbed wire and the other (number 44) will have a load of 250lb bombs as picture in Elaine Arthurs and Felicity Jones book; Wartime GWR page 76. Whilst the primer is going off on the opens I decided to make a start on the Aero Wagon. After painting the deck in what I was hoping to display a worked wagon deck, with a replacement plank. The first wagons will be that from the originally build batch in 1939, followed with a couple from a later batch in 1941m with slightly newer and cleaner decking and less wear to the wagon frames. The camera has not really highlighted the various shade and degrees of colour used but gives a reflection. Whilst this was I thought "Hmmm would the Great Western just have painted the entire wagon, including the wooden deck, freight grey. Speed and ease of painting as well as better protection of the wood?" Oh well too late now I guess. Moving back to the Aero wagon body Chuffinghell has provided some really nice details as well as some very modeller friendly build details. These are especially helpful and aspects you do not get with other kits offered on the general market. Talking of which these wagons are available to purchase from Chris, just drop him a private message! "Well why are these particularly better than other kits offered of the Aero wagon?" I hear you ask. "Because Chris made them and were designed completely with the modeller in mind" I reply. You have already seen the separate decks, allowing ease of painting (if required) but also reduces/eliminates the risk of distortion. A chassis is provided and included as part of the kit. This features the main modeller friendly elements. These include accurate holes to insert brass axle bearings, no need to open out or to position the W-irons. Pre-printed location holes on the inner brake gear in order to add a central brake rodding if desired. This allows the use of metal wire, reducing those oops moments. Fine detailing of brake levers and gearing and buffer beam detailing. This also includes separately printed (included) buffer shafts so the modeller can choose these with additional steel buffers heads or buffers from another supplier and an accurate space for 3-link coupling hooks or an option to add a NEM coupling type. The trestles are separate from the deck for painting aid as well as ensure no distortion of the deck. These are also finely detailed with very nice rivet details, fine trestle support and angled braces for supporting those crates. Along with these details is the addition of locating lugs ensuring accurately positioning on the deck. This ensures that the crate loads and trestle angles are perfect, another potential modeling frustration avoided. The detailing of the entire wagon including the accurate design of the open mid (ish) section (all the way to the sides, completely open) also allows the modeller to run unloaded wagons losing no accuracy of having to hide a lack of detail. Finally the crate loads. As much attention to detail has been paid to the crates as the wagon. The crates were made up of wood and metal braces and sit on the trestles whilst in transit. The current modelled crates are in a base wood colour awaiting further washes and detailing but this allows for the detailing to be displayed. Each crate is provided which printed hole, large enough for a cocktail stick, to aid painting and drying. Another detail included with the build and modeller in mind. Personally speaking, this is a superb little wagon kit. One that is accurately made so all parts slot together without any need for modification. Includes such details that help any modeller successfully create a notable wagon. All Chris' kits/wagon designs have similar modeller supports and super fine details. The only extra you need is your choice of coupling and some buffer heads and you'll have a finely detailed wagon that would match any other propriety kit or R-T-R wagon available. Other wagons produced by Chris have fine livery support from the excellent range of waterslide transfers from Railtech. The hope is that the Aero wagon will also be provided with the specific details to create an accurate finish to the fine model. Thank you Chris for producing this for me and hopefully many others as well!

OK, as promised here is a bunch of very close up pictures of the Aero wagon in grey primer. The primer brings out the fine details included even showing some poor quality and lumpy spraying by myself (please ignore this as I will be sorting that out shortly). All parts are only push fit together for the pictures as painting separately will be much easier. The crates are literally placed on top of trestles clearly showing the quality of design and print. I could wax lyrical about this wagon but I will let Chuffer's skill and ability talk for it's self.

Oh sorry. Thank you, yes that one is the original one purchased. This is the second purchase and how it arrived. I don't seem to be able to post links but if the below is copied to the search bar should hopefully reference the product. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314113616235#:~:text=5 Meters (16feet) Barbed Wire / Razor Wire Model. Ideal 40k%2C 28mm%2C 32mm%2C 1%3A35

Merry Christmas Mikkel and thank you for everything this year. What a lovely shunting puzzle. Wow, as you say what a year. My congratulations and condolences to you Sir. Wishing you and your and very happy festive period. Here's to you and looking forward to 2024.

Morning, The first lot of wire I purchased is this, pre-rolled; http://Barbed Wire Roll 72 inches Long, Ready to use. 1/72,1/76 20MM Scale - JBARB | eBay And then needing more I decided to have a go at making the coils myself, especially as I was cutting the preformed coil anyway. I am yet to attempt the rolling as it only arrived yesterday. http://5 Meters (16feet) Barbed Wire / Razor Wire Model. Ideal 40k, 28mm, 32mm, 1:35 | eBay

Credit where credit is due. This wagons are fantastic, thank you. The fine details you included will show up nicely with the primer. I plan to showcase them here before fully painting. You may end up with too many orders for these (sorry), also could have a knock on effect for your other superb wagon kits as they also feature the same super fine details and have the supporting transfers from @railtec-models.

Thank you. The first batch was already roll in one long roll and I tightened it a little to reduce the size before cutting to make coils. I have ordered some more but in a single uncoiled length for me to make up. You get a lot more for your money this way. Sorry @Mikkel I have not properly started on the new layout thread. Need to make sure I am on top of the current builds before diving in.

I am really hoping to be able to get the iltalic script done, might have to ask Steve at @railtec-models very nicely especially as this could be a decent seller for the complete wagon livery. It certainly is well wiwein his remit.

As it is for many this time of year, it has been rather hectic. Tree pruning, roof window installations, roof insulation and boarding, rewiring interior ceiling lights, new combined TV aerials and chimney pointing checks. Oh yes and some modelling, of sorts. Whilst waiting for the Royal Mail to make a delivery of extra wire the WD open was repainted with the interior now being painted as well. the barbed wire load carefully removed to do this. The load need further coils so this will form the base. I kinda like these. I also set about the long awaited bastardisation of a Dapol CWS tanker and a Hornby MMB tanker with GWR chassis. Combining the best of both appeals to me rather than bodging the Ks chassis to the tank, as previously planned. Only 'alien' addition are 3-link couplings and new weights as unfortunately neither could be used. I also have a UD tanker to familiarise myself with. Another delayed delivery, seems the Royal Mail are flat out at the moment (well in this case, flat on their backs, napping). It appears I have been a very good boy this year and Mr St Nicholls (yes you read correctly) AKA @chuffinghell left me a present a few days in advance of the big one. The is his latest offering in super fine detail wagon design and build. A real beauty if you ask me and I'm not just saying that because Chuffinghell was good enough to make me one. It really is packed full of excellent and fine details. The design along has taken some serious thought as due to the complexities of the semi open frame and wooden planked deck. There is a risk of the wagon chassis and/or deck warping due to the opposing tension from varying depth of materials in construction. This has been overcome using some clever design work and breaking the wagon into separate components. As you can see there are a number of parts to build this wagon the added bonus (apart from not have the chassis bow as I have seen others do) painting the deck, chassis and trestles separately can easily be achieved making life somewhat easier. As you can see the trestles have even been designed with locating pins for the small holes in the deck and the crates have a hidden hole to allow a cocktail stick to support it and to hold whilst painting/drying. More to follow once primed to highlight those details. I have decided that once the layout and boards are being attacked I will start a new 'layout build' thread with a linked ref to the previous attempts, rather than continuing with the false starts on the old thread.

After reading and viewing @Mikkel's fantastic start to Newbury Station I really to pull my finger out, organise my rolling stock builds and to make a start on Chippenham and resurrect my layout build thread; Keeping the stock and layout threads separate. Not sure if this is a good idea but I guess we'll see.