Smallbrook Studio Cardea kit - Random first foray into narrow gauge

[ColinK]

Great work with those wasp stripes.

[ChrisS]

 

I'm finally nearing the end, so more to follow shortly............... the three main components ready to be put together.

 

 

Edited June 2, 2022 by ChrisS
Re-inserted missing images

[ChrisS]

So it is finally finished- though I'm undecided at the moment if I keep it pristine or weather it a little, or get a name or number for it - so possibly not quite finished....... but close enough!

 

I've really enjoyed building this kit and I'm really happy with the finished model. Since receiving the kit and donor chassis for my birthday, it has taken me just under two months to complete it.

 

I should have kept a clock running for the total build time but for most of the time it has been quite therapeutic.

 

I've re-learnt a few things building this model. You don't need a lot of super glue for things to stick. Small defects look massive in photos, so preparation is key and my OCD did not help here! Be careful when using different paint formulations! 

 

It stopped raining earlier, so I took the opportunity to take some photos in natural light.

 

 

 

 

During the photo shoot I had my friendly garden Robin inquire what was going on....................

 

 

As mentioned at the start of this thread, I wanted something different for my Hattons Warwell to carry and was inspired by seeing a photo of some RNAD stock being transported on Warwells. I stumbled across the Smallbrook studio kit whilst looking for an RNAD Baguley Drewry and thought it would look like a good model in its own right. Whether the MOD would have ever been able to accommodate a larger Baguley Drewry, let alone carry one on a Warwell is another matter, but in my fictitious world it looks believable to me.

 

Circa early 1980s, fresh from the factory and awaiting collection at Swindelton for its MOD trials.

 

 

Later captured on the move via a small trip working.

 

 

I'm now thinking it is too good to leave on the back of a Warwell, so might have to do something about that in the future.................

 

I hope it was of interest.

 

Till next time.

 

 

Edited June 4, 2021 by ChrisS
typo

[Huw Griffiths]

5 hours ago, ChrisS said:

I've really enjoyed building this kit and I'm really happy with the finished model. Since receiving the kit and donor chassis for my birthday, it has taken me just under two months to complete it.

 

 

 

 

...

 

I hope it was of interest.

 

Definitely was to me.

 

Your new loco looks rather good, too.

 

Of course, this now leaves me with a difficult decision:

 

Do I get myself one - or do I make a start on the planned DMU "cut & shuts", once I've sorted out some other issues and have time to spend on hobbies?

 

Decisions ... decisions.

 

 

Regards,

 

Huw.

[ChrisS]

Hopefully not a final hurrah, but I decided to have my first go at uploading and editing a video so you can see the Cardea in action. Hopefully the link works.

 

The music was added to hide the horrible background road noise, but also as an experiment when editing the video.

 

It runs really smoothly - it's just the 30+ year old Peco set track that could probably do with more of a clean.

 

In the future I will have to see how I could incorporate the Cardea into something better, other than on the back of a Warwell wagon. 

 

Till next time.

 

 

 

[hayfield]

Just found the thread and what a superb job you have done with this kit build, far too good for a static loco on a wagon.