Mad McCann

That looks brilliant Paul. First time I've actually seen 'live action' footage! Davy.

Hope all goes well, Paul. I know you've been having kittens over it! Davy.

I'll take you up on that phone call then. Might have to do the same with the running day. (Consults timetables)...

Glad to have you back on the radar, chief!

I think the early BR variant must still be clearing customs as mine is shown 'to follow'. A friend of mine has already rectified the tender coping on his and it looks very well as a result. I'm encouraged by this and will tackle my own shortly. Davy.

Well I'm glad I stayed my hand from the cancel button now my first pair are here. Up close in the flesh the tender and cab issues are still visible but the cab at least isn't anywhere near as jarring as was perceived. Yes, there's still the issue of the tender coping but I feel that a bit of re-profiling here is well within my skillset. In any case, it is counterbalanced by the finesse of the 1899 livery and the tender patch plating on the late version; the latter was a notable feature of Caley locos surviving into the 1950s. Probably a few NB locos too. Davy.

It's nice to see the proper hump back on the boiler but I'm afraid I can't justify that level of expenditure on a loco any more. There comes a point where you have to accept that you just have to do without. I still have an old style body and an old Hornby A3 she'll so I'm off down that road with a Comet chassis I think Unless Mike Trice can help me with one or two of his excellent bodyshells. Those don't seem easy to find though Davy.

Raving, presumably... Davy.

At least we know why their second hand is so pricey now ... Davy.

Certainly some mileage in those Lany designs. Certainly wouldn't say no to a Caley Jumbo or 439 tank though, given there is only a very old DJH kit available. Davy.

Indeed. I've used all my virtue up on this one though... Davy.

He does, I believe. I should have stuck with Plan A in the first place. Ah well, lesson learned.

Wish, I'd kept my JE etches now. The time wasters can ram their alleged model now as far as I'm concerned. Davy.

If the effect is so jaw dropping, it may be best not to demonstrate it before a large audience of older folk or the floor may well become a Mass o' chew sets...

It's one of the bigger disappointments of recent modelling times as far as I'm concerned. There is no way I could replicate that quality of paint finish on a replacement tender so, it's ta ta to that particular pre order. Can't really justify that expense when I need the money for a multifuel stove. Davy.

Sarcasm, old chap...

Which year..?

On the strength of this, I suspect I'll be cancelling my CR liveried order and using some of the saving from that to order two Sparkshot tender bodies for the BR ones. Davy.

While the loco looks ok, that tender coping is a bit 'wtf?' We've waited nearly four years for this... Davy.

Well earned at last, I say.

Ye Gods! The decadence!

Well, now that I've moved and slowly settling in to my new place, some modelling will be coming to the fore again, so I guess I'd better start bouncing business Dave's way again! Some buffer stops might be in the offing!

I think I have inadvertently applied the same principle to my own work... ;-) Davy.

Personally, I think Hornby have absolutely nailed it with the shade of green they have done this time. It has depth and life unlike the shades used back when the Britannia came out circa 2006. I understand that colour perception is a highly subjective thing, given the vagaries of the human eye and brain, but compared to photos of the prototype and seeing full-size BR green locos in preservation, with correct application of BR green, to my mind if not spot in it is at least very, very close OK, those lined green cylinders and the firebox are a bit of a fantasy but nothing some well aimed black paint and weathering won't solve if you have the skills.