coachmann Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 You must have a massive monitor Coachmann! The second set of A3 pictures measure 6 inches from buffer to buffer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldgunner Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 My V2 measures about 5 1/2'' coupling to coupling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvinley Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 The second set of A3 pictures measure 6 inches from buffer to buffer. You do have a large one then . It is 5 inches on mine and my monitor is 18 inches across Not far off actual size though - really does put it in perspective. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldgunner Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 24'' Monitor at 1920x1080 and she measures 5'' (ooh matron!) I do feel a little sidetracked, any idea when these will be on shore shelves? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvinley Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I think Andy York needs to get a smaller camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy L S Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Any closer....? Just looking at these pics and then the ones at the start of the thread again, one other question about the livery application I don't think has neen mentioned yet. Is it correct that the "RA" classification on the cabsides of these locos is at the front corner inside the lining panel? All pics I can find of A3s appear to have this at the back corner? Here is "Lemberg": - http://www.flickr.com/photos/24041160@N02/3163375755/in/set-72157625267405966 Admittedly would be simple enough to correct (if I bother) but were these "RA" classifications prone to be put on different parts of the cabsides for Pacifics? (I know they were on certain B1s). Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercig studios Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I do feel that some of the criticism has been a bit harsh when you consider that this is an N Gauge model which by it's very nature has to make certain compromises. When seen in the flesh, both the A3 and A4 are absolute beauties with a real finesse of detail right down to the painted cab interior. Many of the things picked up by the very large photos are in reality just not noticeable at normal viewing. Dapol are to a certain extent on a lose lose situation on certain aspects such as buffer beam and deflectors as they would get flak either way they did it...how many deflectors would survive transit if they were in fact moulded at the prototypical thickness I wonder. As Coachmann points out, N Gauge is small and how many British N locos, if any at all, could still come out looking as good as the A3 in the type of enlargement used in the review. For a bit of perspective here is a Dapol 22 with a Dapol 26. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewishambill Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Is the cabside lining panel & number off-centre on the BR liveried ones? It seems small and slid back towards the cab rear on the side on shots posted here. The only BR liveried side on pic I can fine on the web is this one http://www.flickr.com/photos/duke_of_milan/5951847521/ Is that one typical or did they vary from loco to loco? On most others pics it is hidden by the grime! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.A.C Martin Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Have to say Mercig, I had to do a double take - was almost convinced I was looking at O and OO until I realized the coupler types (and of course, an O 22 hasn't been done yet!) That Dapol 26 is staggeringly good! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennine MC Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Have to say Mercig, I had to do a double take - was almost convinced I was looking at O and OO until I realized the coupler types ... I recall a feature on Electricnose that had just that effect on me - the comparison was between 2mm and 4mm Farish/Bachmann 16 tonners. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul B Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 That Dapol 26 is staggeringly good! As a recipient of Mercig's work I'd have to say I 110% agree! The point is well made about needing to compromise in N to ensure that our models are still usuable and don't fall apart in our hands. That, inevitably, will lead to the odd detail not being comparable to the prototype and close up photography in today's world may only serve to highlight that. That said, I can understand people's frustration with possible livery errors, although I have seen more than one example over the years where a supposed livery 'error' is traceable back to the prototype! At the end of the day the A3 looks a fine model and Dapol's A4 is streeets ahead of it's Farish predecessor and I for one am more than happy that both of these companies keep churning out excellent products that genuinely push what is achievable at this small scale for a mass produced model. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hayes Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 well if people dont like it they dont have to buy it, and if you think its inaccurate build your own, i think its fantastic no complaints for me, its never gonna be accurate whatever as its never gonna be real, like i showed before with the if you upscale any model in photoshop to life size next to the real think it will look like a model still, but still very accurate. it is important to notice details it is important to push for further improvements, but it is also important to celebrate the many more fantastic features. it is nicer to read the positive aspects amongst a few notes of opinion as to what is better. but to simply list all the things that you dont like can read differently to how you intended it making your posting seem very negative. people read differently, some read in a manner that they hear the sound of thier own voice reading the words, others scan read. but all of us my interpret text in the wrong mood, so people please try an set out your feelings first and maybe there would be less clashes of emotive opinion. i love Dapol i love farish i would be lost without them, im an ok model maker but could i make my own a3 or a4 to these standards with my shaky hands. i think not. cheers to Dapol (bang glass) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poggy1165 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 To think it's N Gauge, it's amazing. Maybe not perfect, but as near as damn it. If stuff like this had only been avaialble 20-25 years ago, my modelling might have taken a different turn. But in those days commercial N Gauge steam in British outline was hideous, with the odd rare exception, and I wouldn't have touched it with a bargepole. Dapol - and many others in the trade - have made great leap forwards in every scale and I think at times were are too apt to take the progress for granted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohmisterporter Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 The only other thing that leaps out at me is the fat handrail on the sides of the firebox, which I imagine will be an easy fix for Dapol on the production models. All in all a fine model. If I modelled in N I would definitely have one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R E Faust Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Am I right in assuming the BR Express Blue liveried version that was on display at Ally Pally is not amongst the first batch to be released? If so, it gives my wallet a breather for a little while R E Faust Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave flint Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I'm with Dr Al here. Whilst a keen buyer of Dapols modern N, I find the A4 to be a bit."dumpy" in the flesh, and also the valve gear and coupling rods etc seems clumsy. The best rtr seems to be Bachmanns Tornado, with much finer detail. Theres nothing wrong mentioning this, otherwise we wouldn't see any improvement. Dapol have listened a lot - look at the input to the 22 and the forthcoming 52, bit have seen fit to paint their steam loco wheels now, which rightly attracted criticism before. Yes, well done, but let's have a healthy detachment rather than the sickly love in that some threads develop into. Dapol are a business, with all the hard nosed commercialism that that entails. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
N Gauge David Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Dapol are a business, with all the hard nosed commercialism that that entails. Sure, but a business making model railway hobby items, not life saving cancer drugs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveArkley Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Yes, well done, but let's have a healthy detachment rather than the sickly love in that some threads develop into. Dapol are a business, with all the hard nosed commercialism that that entails. ...and this thread is being read by DapolDave and others who have poured heart and soul into these. I for one feel for them after reading some of the (IMHO) unkind criticism here. We'll all take our own view and spend (or not) on the A4s but please don't forget that employees of Dapol have feelings too. Or is that just 'sickly love'? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor Charon Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 If I were still looking, i'd be interested in both the A3 and A4 - after all, my streamlined B17 needs her big sister to look after her. As it is, I've got nowhere to run anything anymore. And maybe nothing to run either, depending on whether I keep stuff 'just in case'. Which is a shame, because there's some cracking stuff coming out. (Sigh) I'll have to see if there's room when I move. and if I'm allowed room to put them... Edit: You know, I can't help wondering how hard it would be to turn an A3 into a V2... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave flint Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 ...and this thread is being read by DapolDave and others who have poured heart and soul into these. I for one feel for them after reading some of the (IMHO) unkind criticism here. We'll all take our own view and spend (or not) on the A4s but please don't forget that employees of Dapol have feelings too. Or is that just 'sickly love'? Indeed, but don't forget it Is also a resource to them. Look at the help and info they've had with the Western and 22. Dapol Dave is one of the more enlightened amongst out manufacturing friends, but I'm sure he's man enough to accept a criticism when mistakes nave been made, or where other firms seem to have the upper hand. A healthy dose of cynicism doesn't hurt, and certainly on this site I've noticed a cosying up with Dapol, and a few more barbs hurled at Hornby. In fact, we've had two different approaches to models by Dapol. The A4 and A3 arrived on the scene pretty much unannounced, whereas with the diesel releases there was lots of publicity and input into the design from early stages. I wonder why Dapol acted like this ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveArkley Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 In fact, we've had two different approaches to models by Dapol. The A4 and A3 arrived on the scene pretty much unannounced, whereas with the diesel releases there was lots of publicity and input into the design from early stages. I wonder why Dapol acted like this ? A good question. Share to enlighten us DapolDave? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Hardly unannounced. Both A3 and A4 were announced at the Dapol members day about 6 months ago IIRC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Adam1701D Posted April 7, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 7, 2012 To be honest, I can't blame Dapol wanting to keep certain releases in N closer to their chest, given the real danger of duplication by Bachmann - look at the B1 and earlier announcements such as the Class 150 and Ivatt 2-6-0. To spend over 100K tooling a new loco, only to see a competitor release one onto the shelves at the same time must be a little galling, to say the least! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy L S Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Edit: You know, I can't help wondering how hard it would be to turn an A3 into a V2... Quite a lot harder than you would think. I did once upon a time modify a Farish A3 in this way. It entailed shortening the front end, repositioning the cylinders, a "cut and shut" on the valve-gear, cutting away the splashers and making good, fabricating a new front pony-truck, reconstructing the cab and scratch-building a new tender body to sit on a Farish LMS style tender underframe. Of course with the Farsh A3 chassis the driving wheels are already the correct size, being undersize for an A3, with the Dapol they are correct size and way too big for a V2. In those days the Farish V2 did not exist, and nobody has ever made a kit so to have a V2 there was little choice other than to have a go yourself as I did. Now we do have the Farish one and for it's faults it is still a pretty good model so personally I wouldn't even attempt an A3 conversion For the sake of nostalgia, here's a pic of my one...all I can say in retrospect is oh dear!! Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave flint Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Hardly unannounced. Both A3 and A4 were announced at the Dapol members day about 6 months ago IIRC. I would argue that that timescale would mean it was too late in the day for any input from here to make changes ? Let's see how long it takes for the western to appear now....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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