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Let's see your Airfix/Kitmaster kit


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On 13/02/2019 at 22:36, Nickey Line said:

I can only assume that the photo on the box for the tank wagon kit showed axle boxes with red painted centres, as it appears RosiesBoss has done the same... is there any prototype evidence for this? Haven't found anything on Bartlett...

 

1325103752_ESSOCLASSB35Tglw(6_002)3300.jpg.0c81e99c452e65ab0e0179beb8aa3be7.jpg

 

Could be red - I would have expected yellow. 1354596867_ESSOCLASSA35Tglw(6_001)3200.jpg.871e777fcec4f0327e1fe95552709d0b.jpg

 

John Isherwood.

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1 hour ago, cctransuk said:

 

1325103752_ESSOCLASSB35Tglw(6_002)3300.jpg.0c81e99c452e65ab0e0179beb8aa3be7.jpg

 

Could be red - I would have expected yellow. 1354596867_ESSOCLASSA35Tglw(6_001)3200.jpg.871e777fcec4f0327e1fe95552709d0b.jpg

 

John Isherwood.

 

Having checked in my copy of Geoff Kent's book, it seems likely that the axle box covers on class A tanks might be yellow, especially when new; however, he sadly fails to mention any colour for the class B...

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Lovely pictures those tank wagons so thanks for posting prehaps the next batch will be in silver, I've a few box limited edition left, plus odd wrecks found in toy fairs. The airfix tank wagons are especially good in a long rake, like them so much I've been building / rebuilding them over the past 50 years, not easy to photo, so here's a rake in a siding taken recently

 

 

20210201_235623.jpg.12890fce79e77a4ad5f052c99e79d1e2.jpg

 

The last one has been left as original, one I built when I was 9, therefore I've built at least a few every decade since making them easier the the most popular kit I've built. The whole rake uses peco coupling, some did have tension lock, but I found as trains got longer over 20 wagons they tended to derail when shunted in reverse. I think also there is about 4 different types of wheels used, however some are airfix which tend to squeak especially on curves, "just like real thing". The brake van also airfix is actual a convertible wagon both peco & tension lock, notice too the overhead crane, that's part airfix too.

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On 13/02/2019 at 22:36, Nickey Line said:

I can only assume that the photo on the box for the tank wagon kit showed axle boxes with red painted centres, as it appears RosiesBoss has done the same...

 

Red was the official colour for Timken axlebox caps when the prototype 35t GLW tanks were introduced. Red was replaced by the yellow with red stripe caps in about 1960. I'll have to check my paint schedules to get the exact date.

 

1597836029_Timken-AboxPwD-Sm.jpg.28568ac667619feeb231de459339281e.jpg

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16 hours ago, cctransuk said:

 

1325103752_ESSOCLASSB35Tglw(6_002)3300.jpg.0c81e99c452e65ab0e0179beb8aa3be7.jpg

 

Could be red - I would have expected yellow. 1354596867_ESSOCLASSA35Tglw(6_001)3200.jpg.871e777fcec4f0327e1fe95552709d0b.jpg

 

John Isherwood.

 

6 hours ago, Porcy Mane said:

 

Red was the official colour for Timken axlebox caps when the prototype 35t GLW tanks were introduced. Red was replaced by the yellow with red stripe caps in about 1960. I'll have to check my paint schedules to get the exact date.

 

1597836029_Timken-AboxPwD-Sm.jpg.28568ac667619feeb231de459339281e.jpg

 Hi Chaps,

 

Your black and white photographs of red axle box covers have reminded me of the Ted Lowe quote:

 

"....and for those of you who are watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green"

 

Gibbo.

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25 minutes ago, Gibbo675 said:

Your black and white photographs of red axle box covers have reminded me of the Ted Lowe quote:

 

... and when I was typing it out and adding the image I was thinking to myself of the Arthur Lowe (Mainwaring) quote, 'I Wondered who'd be the first to spot that one.'  [and if they'd comment on it].

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9 hours ago, locomad2 said:

Lovely pictures those tank wagons so thanks for posting prehaps the next batch will be in silver,....

 

Be aware that the Class A (silver) wagons had a longer tank, plus other detail differences; some cutting / shutting is required.

 

John Isherwood.

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8 hours ago, Porcy Mane said:

 

Red was the official colour for Timken axlebox caps when the prototype 35t GLW tanks were introduced. Red was replaced by the yellow with red stripe caps in about 1960. I'll have to check my paint schedules to get the exact date.

 

1597836029_Timken-AboxPwD-Sm.jpg.28568ac667619feeb231de459339281e.jpg

Aww, I was hoping I could use mine across eras. Maybe I'll just give the underframe some very heavy weathering...

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On 09/02/2019 at 20:27, Gibbo675 said:

Hi Bernard,

 

Well spotted !

 

They are indeed the K's Mataro caches but I did not narrow them, they are as built externally with the exception of altering the foot boards and squaring the windows to make them look more like Liverpool and Manchester Railway types. Along with fitting compartment dividers the other modification made was that I had two sets and so one of the mail coach types was converted into an extra first class coach.

 

Gibbo.

Very nice looking they are too - i'm very pleased to see them as I just bought a pair of these and intend using them similarly, as early British stock...

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On 01/02/2021 at 14:54, drgj said:

Here is my Kitmaster second open. This was one of those coaches you find that are made up but not that brilliantly built. I stripped it down and rebuilt it. Along the way I removed the raised lining and put lining transfers on after a respray.

I really like the Peco interiors that go with these coaches and have adapted one for a different type..

 

Dave

post-11423-0-58353400-1448991972.jpg

That's beautiful looking coach: I wouldn't have spotted that as a Kitmaster without it being pointed out. Not that I'm criticising Kitmasters but they sometimes betray their origins much more clearly that that lone does :).

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Anyone  actually use the original Airfix coupling ?

 

When I did start building them 50 years ago did try on the layout to use them but found not compatible with then Peco type, at the time kits cost about 2/- and the peco coupling the same price  so doubled the cost and as a result often "robbed" them from peco wonderful wagons. I can also remember trying to run them in a rake, running backwards found they derailed easy, plus the elastic bands broke.

 

Often get mine now from toy fairs in the scrap boxes for ridiculous low prices, often broken, bits missing, etc. However great fun in rebuilding many and adding to collection.

 

Did pick 2 made unpainted versions recently and tried again, this coupled up

 

Pulling

 

20210215_204226.jpg.33cc3b50f47644e29ce03d0ed34520f9.jpg

 

 

And Pushing 20210215_204313.jpg.e5d32998d3bbabe610888166b465c4da.jpg

 

 

So noticed pushing on curves etc the buffers would meet, now experience of loose stock using chains buffer lock can occur, wagons need to be heavy, buffers the same height and strong plus you couldn't really push more than a few. Airfix kit buffers not the most robust and kits very light. However one advantage is close connection about 13mm beam to beam compared to 20mm peco or tension Plus how do they uncouple? Special ramps ?

 

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On 14/02/2021 at 21:39, Chas Levin said:

That's beautiful looking coach: I wouldn't have spotted that as a Kitmaster without it being pointed out. Not that I'm criticising Kitmasters but they sometimes betray their origins much more clearly that that lone does :).

Considering that the kit is over 30 years old they still make a great looking MK 1.

 

Terry.

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Add another thirty years on that.

 

They were discontinued in the early 1960s after they were taken over by Airfix with a few old stocks lasting a little while after. Well gone when I was growing up in the 1970s.

 

Worth considering the Cooper Craft BR Mark Ones which were meant to be a modern version must be about thirty years old!

 

 

The photo is one of Clive Mortimore's cut and shuts rather than Cooper Craft. Click to go to the thread.

 

 

 

Jason

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On 01/02/2021 at 18:02, Nickey Line said:

 

Having checked in my copy of Geoff Kent's book, it seems likely that the axle box covers on class A tanks might be yellow, especially when new; however, he sadly fails to mention any colour for the class B...

 

In the book "Diesel Heyday, Sulzers in the 60s" by Euslin Bruce there are two colour photos of D6580 at Fawley in 1963. 

Although not the same tank wagon, all the axleboxes visible are yellow 

 

Rear cover photo of Diesels in Wessex shows yellow covers. Airfix type wagons.  Dated 1966

 

Andy

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2 hours ago, hmrspaul said:

Plenty of colour photos show the axlebox colours https://PaulBartlett.zenfolio.com/essoatankwagonvb

 

Paul

 

That link is for A class tanks, but the B class tank page also has plenty of colour shots... with yellow axle boxes!

Don't know how I've missed those previously... very poor! :blush:

 

https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/essobtankwagonvb

 

Pretty conclusive I think...

 

p.s. time to get the yellow paint out...

Edited by Nickey Line
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2 hours ago, Nickey Line said:

 

That link is for A class tanks, but the B class tank page also has plenty of colour shots... with yellow axle boxes!

Don't know how I've missed those previously... very poor! :blush:

 

https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/essobtankwagonvb

 

Pretty conclusive I think...

 

p.s. time to get the yellow paint out...

Plus the white bottom half on some ladders

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The Dapol ‘Rocket’ came in handy for my first CakeBox challenge - ‘Steam Punk Themed’. From over years ago, I have an original Airfix ‘Rocket’ which was moulded in yellow plastic and a ‘Pug’ somewhere in the attic. Currently using the chassis of a Dapol ‘Pug’ for next CakeBox model!
 

98BF93B6-2E88-4939-B11B-7D8971A95870.jpeg.44fa518008bff2eff3cca73572fd7259.jpeg

 


242852E2-1300-4137-8749-8AFDD90EDC32.jpeg.1a4bc53ce3f26d39b778c45e70590f56.jpeg

Edited by Marly51
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