Philip Jackson Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Got a call from Hattons this afternoon, Sunday !!!They were just confirming my order placed in Jan 09 for this model.. Model on its way, 2-4 days, can't wait... Just need somebody to do DP2... Surely won't be long now...... Slightly O/T but I'm happy with the Bachmann / silverfox DP2 I got 18 months ago and for not much more than the Kestral is retailing at. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 If it wasn't such a monumental waste of money, I'd seriously consider respraying one into Large Logo Blue. And as a type 5, I'd probably number it Class 54 - Though it most likely would have been a 56, as the 56 as we know it wouldn't have been built. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted October 13, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 13, 2009 If it wasn't such a monumental waste of money, I'd seriously consider respraying one into Large Logo Blue. And as a type 5, I'd probably number it Class 54 - Though it most likely would have been a 56, as the 56 as we know it wouldn't have been built. of course it would be totally unethical for a retailer to obtain a spare bodyshell for a "damaged" Kestrel purely for the purposes of ficticious resprays Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest D.J.K. Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Zit me or does the headcode box not deep enough on the model, comparing PMPs shots with that of the real deal at Barrow Hill something in this area doesn't look quite there. You might be right Neil. But it might be an optical illusion... Looking at mine under a magnifier, you have the prismatic effect from the edge of the clear glazing material.... Also round the glazing there's a very light sort of beading shape moulded into the plastic. Now on the model this is body colour, but on the photos it appears to be a black rubber bead round the glass... http://www.derbysulz...mpletelarge.jpg If the glazing can be removed without wrecking it, a touch of black paint on the edge of the glazing and the "bead" might make all the difference.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted October 13, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 13, 2009 You might be right Neil. But it might be an optical illusion... Looking at mine under a magnifier, you have the prismatic effect from the edge of the clear glazing material.... Also round the glazing there's a very light sort of beading shape moulded into the plastic. Now on the model this is body colour, but on the photos it appears to be a black rubber bead round the glass... http://www.derbysulz...mpletelarge.jpg If the glazing can be removed without wrecking it, a touch of black paint on the edge of the glazing and the "bead" might make all the difference.... Looking at the Derbysulzer photo above, there does seems to be a black rubber bead round the headcode panel that's not as apparent on the Barrow Hill open day image. If this is present on the Heljan body moulding then a touch of black paint would certainly help matters and nudge the proportions back in the right direction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
multivac Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Looks like BR haven't filed down the mould line on the buffer faces. :icon_clap: Just received the model very nice, very nice indeed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark54 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Zit me or does the headcode box not deep enough on the model, comparing PMPs shots with that of the real deal at Barrow Hill something in this area doesn't look quite there. I was thinking this too. Consequently the headcode characters look to be too small and spaced out too much. Is the ledge under the windscreen missing as well? The washer jets should be on this. Difficult to tell from the photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest D.J.K. Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I was thinking this too. Consequently the headcode characters look to be too small and spaced out too much. Is the ledge under the windscreen missing as well? The washer jets should be on this. Difficult to tell from the photos. I see what you mean re the ledge.. Shows up well on this photo.. http://www.derbysulz...00coaltrain.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 ... "Who would be the first to repaint one in Corporate Blue?" So I thought I would use the opportunity to try and post a digitally altered Train4U shot on this new site.... It is probably the way the blue livery suppresses the curvature of the ends, but the first impression that gives is of a class 50. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 It is probably the way the blue livery suppresses the curvature of the ends, but the first impression that gives is of a class 50 Funnily enough it reminded me of a Class 56. I did give the curvature of the ends a lot of thought but could see no way around the problem you mentioned. We need someone like Burkitt to give it a proper 'digital repaint'. I cannot imagine any sane person covering the beautiful original livery with Corporate Blue. (An odd colour for the socialists to have chosen). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium boxbrownie Posted October 14, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 14, 2009 Received mine today, what a cracking model ...I have been out of OO gauge for many years after getting real depressed with the poor running qualities of the RTR stock in the 80-90's, but have been building a Kato (now they do have sublime running quality, twice as good as OO in half the space! ) based Japanese layout for three years after having seen the models perform in Tam TAm (the model shop) in Tokyo during several visits there for business (and pleasure ). Problem is, although I am deeply impressed with the Kestral (I saw it last week and just had to buy it even if I have nothing to run it on) I am now wondering, how does it run? Is it as good as the weight and apperance suggest? Do I nip out the the Chelmsford exhibition this Saturday and buy a few yards of track just to try this little monkey on? I was all set to start a modern O gauge small layout until I saw Kestrel......aw poo....what to do now? Was ready to start building a few JLTRT kits until today........ Anyone want to buy an "on the door" N gauge Japanese layout, all wired and DCC'ed up? Best regards David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted October 14, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 14, 2009 Received my Kestrel today it is beautiful and a very well executed model well done Heljan.:icon_wow: :icon_wow: :icon_wow: The certificate number 3095. Who got number 0001? :icon_clap::icon_clap: :icon_clap: And the lights work the right way round. :D Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted October 14, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 14, 2009 A superb model. Who would have though we would get a RTR 'one-off/short life' diesel loco such as this from the proprietory manufacturers. Someone said in a Trains4U thread... "Who would be the first to repaint one in Corporate Blue?" So I thought I would use the opportunity to try and post a digitally altered Train4U shot on this new site.... That is horrible it dose not suite the loco at all. Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted October 14, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 14, 2009 If it wasn't such a monumental waste of money, I'd seriously consider respraying one into Large Logo Blue. And as a type 5, I'd probably number it Class 54 - Though it most likely would have been a 56, as the 56 as we know it wouldn't have been built. Why not by a Silver Fox Body and do it that way. :icon_razz: :icon_razz: Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted October 14, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 14, 2009 Yep they run very well, the basis for the chassis are the Heljan Class 47 chassis components, (arguably prototypical), and mine run very quietly and smoothly throughout the speed range. Agreed it dose run very well as the one I received today is on the rollers at this moment being run in. Smooth through out the speed range. Terry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Card on floor when I arrived home from work today, says a package to big to post is waiting for me at the post office! It couldn't be could it??!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 That (Rail Blue) is horrible it dose not suite the loco at all. I couldn't agree more................. It was 'orrible on everything after we'd been treated to all those earlier stylish liveries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Max Stafford Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I agree there, it was an extraordinarily dull choice of colour scheme compared with the 1964 two tone liveries. So why do I miss it so much these days? Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeh Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 My Kestrel arrived yesteday. Had a couple of problems unfortunately. First off there were couplings in the box but they had got wedged between the body and one bogie. Soon sorted with a pair of tweezers but second problem was that one buffer beam had been forced off and in the process a buffer head had been broken off. Not the end of the world but a tad annoying though. Rang Hatton's today. Spoke to Andy who told me he had a spare Kestrel they were using for spares (!) and he would mail me a replacement buffer beam assembly from it. Happy enough with that outcome but did wonder what other problems lead them to using one for spares? There was a spare buffer beam in the box but as it is a limited edition and I have not decided yet whether to run it or keep it stored away it would be nice to have the replacement anyway. Now I am sure I read somewhere they planned to trial it on coal trains to Banbury before the ER got their mits on it... Regards Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Craig Watson Posted October 14, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 14, 2009 My one arrived yesterday. Took it up to the club last night and it ran well, no broken parts at all. I'm really pleased with it, looking at PMP's pics above are spurring me on to do similar to mine! Cheers Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted October 15, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 15, 2009 My Kestrel arrived yesteday. Had a couple of problems unfortunately. First off there were couplings in the box but they had got wedged between the body and one bogie. Soon sorted with a pair of tweezers but second problem was that one buffer beam had been forced off and in the process a buffer head had been broken off. Not the end of the world but a tad annoying though. Rang Hatton's today. Spoke to Andy who told me he had a spare Kestrel they were using for spares (!) and he would mail me a replacement buffer beam assembly from it. Happy enough with that outcome but did wonder what other problems lead them to using one for spares? There was a spare buffer beam in the box but as it is a limited edition and I have not decided yet whether to run it or keep it stored away it would be nice to have the replacement anyway. Now I am sure I read somewhere they planned to trial it on coal trains to Banbury before the ER got their mits on it... Regards Mike That might be the difference in using a box shifter as opposed to a model shop. I got mine from Gareth at Trains4U and the couplings were supplied in the box in a little zippy bag. I don't know, but suspect that it might even have been tested before shipping. certainly had no problems with mine, no damage, well packed - very, very happy bunny Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobknee Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I ordered two Kestrels way back in 2008 form Kernow Model Rail. They arrived yesterday and I couldn't believe the weight of the parcel, felt like it contained two house bricks. Having read all the postings in various chat rooms about broken & missing bits, I approached the boxes with some trepidation. The locos were well packed, with the bag of detailing parts, spare buffer beam and two loose couplings in each box. I am not a great diesel fan to be honest, but having seen colour photos of the prototype many years ago, I have always considered this to be the best looking diesel loco ever - bar none. The unique colour scheme sets it apart from anything else - just brilliant. I have consecutive limited edition certificate numbers in the mid 1500's and am well pleased. It seems not all shop stock has been sold yet, but once the news and pictures get out, I'm sure the total of 4000 will be sold very quickly. This may be a one off loco, but will appeal to many modellers and collectors. My main passion is German HO and Marklin Z gauge, but Kestrel really was irresistable. I can see this being on many people's Christmas pressie list. If you do get one I don't think you will be disappointed. Bootiful - really bootiful! Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welly Posted October 15, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 15, 2009 I am not a great diesel fan to be honest, but having seen colour photos of the prototype many years ago, I have always considered this to be the best looking diesel loco ever - bar none. The unique colour scheme sets it apart from anything else - just brilliant. I have consecutive limited edition certificate numbers in the mid 1500's and am well pleased. It seems not all shop stock has been sold yet, but once the news and pictures get out, I'm sure the total of 4000 will be sold very quickly. I agree that it's a beautiful locomotive with a beautiful livery ( Kestrel in BR Corpse Blue? - sacrilege!!! Might just work in Two Tone Green ) Got mine in the post from the Beatleside boxshifter on Tuesday, no fault with mine at all apart from a slight knocking noise in one bogie when running in one direction. No real justification for having one but I wanted a model of it since I first clocked a photograph of it when I was a teenager! My certificate number is 3587 so if you want one, order yours now!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer_Saturday Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 This on the Heljan website: http://www.Heljan.dk/faste_filer/modul.asp?vis=nyhedmod&fModul=web588.asp&mode=laesnyhed&artikelid=245 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I've posted in a seperate thread, but had a call from Howes that Heljan are proving some revised CV values for the lighting if you are running on DCC. They apparently feel the lighting is too bright on factory default settings. http://www.Heljan.dk/faste_filer/modul.asp?vis=nyhedmod&fModul=web588.asp&mode=laesnyhed&artikelid=245 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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