Dapol GUNPOWDER VAN

[paul 27]

Looking at the BR ex LMS model what are the obvious problems with this, dimensionly  does it look ok.

[Wickham Green]

Assuming this is still the son-of-Hornby-Dublo model it's on a 17'6'' long x 10' WB chassis so is rather too long ........ otherwise it's probably one of the better wagons of that era.

[Fat Controller]

Not only too long, but too wide, IIRC. I did hear that one of the new entrants to the market was looking at doing one, and possibly even posted on here about it.

[County of Yorkshire]

Probably best to wait until the release of the Rapido version...

 

CoY

[Dunsignalling]

The Dapol (ex-Hornby Dublo/Wrenn) body is stretched to fit a 17'6" underframe and 10' wb. Prototype was 16'6" on 9'.

 

Body is thus overscale by 4mm on length and 2mm on width (the latter is fairly common with models of that pedigree). 

 

Spare bodies are cheap enough, though, and provide a good opportunity for learning cut-and-shut modelling. Making one from two will be less of a challenge than cutting a single one accurately enough to reduce both length and width. At least the doors are the correct width... 

 

John

 

PS. Rapido have a number of Gunpowder vans under development (LMS/GWR/BR and possibly LNER too) see their website if you don't fancy your chances with a razor saw.

Edited April 25, 2019 by Dunsignalling
PS

[CloggyDog]

I've cut down 3 of these to correct the length/width - carefully cutting alongside the strapping keeps everything square enough - for the majority of the wartime LMS/LNE/WR and early BR ones with equal side panels, you need to cut the one piece shell into 12 sections, 4 corners and 4 side panels, 2 doors and 2 end middles, losing 1mm at each cut, then reassemble.

 

For the very last BR batch (D1/261, Lot 3227 Swindon B887135-59), as these had unequal panels, you only make 8 cuts and take 2mm out of the each outer side panel.

 

 I used some 60 plasticard strip in the inside L angle to reinforce and align the shortened sides and ends while it all set.

The ends need a little bit of reprofiling to smooth the roof arc out.

 

Roof was a plasticard rectangle with the over-door extensions and with 3 microstrip ribs attached once the roof was on and set.

 

I mounted my reduced bodies on modified Parkside 9' wb 4-shoe RCH chassis while the last batch one sat on a modified Red Panda 10'wb 8-shoe clasp BR chassis, reduced in length over headstocks. I still have 1 to complete, one of the earlier D1/260 standard bodies on a 10'wb 4-shoe RCH underframe (1/261, Lot 3099 Swindon B887120-34)

 

Dave Furmage (who'd also done a couple for his Longcarse West layout) and I wrote the process up for DEMU's Update magazine, Issue 50.

 

I am looking forward to the Rapido one, though the last I heard, it had been pushed back down the production schedule due to more pressing commitments.

Edited April 25, 2019 by CloggyDog
Added pics

[Dunsignalling]

Thanks, CloggyDog.  I've printed a copy of your post and put it in my project file.

 

That small, final Lot needs the least cutting and is the one more likely to be ignored by Rapido so I'll be taking a punt on that when the time comes.

 

John

[Flood]

A few photos of mine. I actually took too much off the width and had to use microstrip to correct this.

 

In progress:

 

 

 

Finished and weathered

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by Flood

[paul 27]

Nice model Flood what make and colour did you use to finish this.

[Flood]

1 hour ago, paul 27 said:

Nice model Flood what make and colour did you use to finish this.

Railmatch bauxite. It has more of a red tinge when first applied but once painted, transfers applied and varnished I wash over the wagon a number of times with a diluted mix of Humbrol 33 (black) and 29 (Dark Earth) enamels. The diluted mix builds up in the corners and darkens the overall tone.