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Best way of getting a 4mm scale 35-ton tank wagon?


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I would like to build or buy a 4mm scale model of a 35-ton glw tank wagon. Is the Airfix / Dapol kit a good basis for a model? If so, what extras are useful for improving it (the RT models' etch)? Failing that, what's the best way of getting one of these wagons?

 

This is well outside my usual area, so all opinions will be gratefully received.

 

Jim

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Yes, the Airfix/Dapol 'Esso' tank is an excellent model, all things considered. There's a wide range of prototype shots here:

 

http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/essobtankwagonvb

 

The only particularly 'heavy' bit are the walkways and as you note, the RT Models etch is available and does the job. Some good hints and tips can be had in Geoff Kent's The 4mm Wagon (Part 2). Geoff doesn't actually do a great deal to the kit which, given the standards he works to says a lot. There's already a chassis/detailing kit available from Masokits Dave, which looks very nice indeed but that's only if you want to really go to town since it retains the fundamentals: the tank, its details and the solebars.

 

http://www.scalefour.org/masokits/masokits_download.php?f=Page03.pdf

 

New buffers are a good idea and given the length of them, unless you're using tension locks or other couplings which don't require the buffers to touch, then sprung items are probably a good idea. Dart Castings do some nice ones:

 

http://www.dartcastings.co.uk/mjt.php#WagonComponents-Buffers

 

Adam

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Hi Jim,

 

I recently completed a rake of 7 Dapol tank wagons for a mate. I didn't go into a great detailing project like your proposing, just adding some extra detail from scratch, but one thing I will advocate using are the excellent transfers made by John Isherwood of Cambridge Custom Transfers. The decal sheets are around the BL8 region.

 

Here's the link:

 

http://www.cctrans.freeserve.co.uk/products.htm

 

Paul Bartlett's website also provides some excellent photographs and information too as suggested,

 

Hope that helps?

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

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This might make an ideal 3D printing CAD project for the tank.

 

Really? The stepping on a cylinder is going to be pretty horrid isn't it? In any event, a length of tube of the appropriate diameter would be cheaper and quicker, especially as you can reuse the ends from the kit.

 

Wouldn't it be preferable to make a Class A barrel - they are longer?  http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/essoatankwagonvb  This would make another wagon type available. The frame is the same, so either the Airfix/Dapol can be used or the etched version .

 

Paul Bartlett

 

As you note, the only real difference is the longer barrel.

 

Adam

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I would like to build or buy a 4mm scale model of a 35-ton glw tank wagon. Is the Airfix / Dapol kit a good basis for a model? If so, what extras are useful for improving it (the RT models' etch)? Failing that, what's the best way of getting one of these wagons?

 

This is well outside my usual area, so all opinions will be gratefully received.

 

Jim

You are correct, it's RT models :yes:

 

http://www.rtmodels.co.uk/rt_models_027.htm

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We need a train of 20 of these for Abbotswood - for the Soho Pool tanks in our period

 

Have waited for an RTR for a while now but the time when we have to bite the Dapol bullet is rapidly approaching

 

Will go down the John Isherwood transfer route though with etched ladders and metal buffers as suggested above.

 

Phil

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The test etches have been done a while, but it's the old enemy, time.

 

Mike.

 

If time becomes an ally when might we see them (that's such an unfair question)...

 

... a fairer one might be... will it just be a chassis kit or with there be other detailing items on it?  In other words would you need the RT kit too?

 

Cheers 

 

Griff

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If time becomes an ally when might we see them (that's such an unfair question)...

 

... a fairer one might be... will it just be a chassis kit or with there be other detailing items on it?  In other words would you need the RT kit too?

 

Cheers 

 

Griff

 

Currently, virtually the only major component used is the tank and it's fittings, etches will be provided for chassis, sprung of course, walkways etc and the ladder, which will be a Colin Craig style construction with side stiles not a flat etch with it's own jig to aid assembly.

There are quite a few people holding their cumulative breath !

 

Mike.

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  • 3 years later...

We need a train of 20 of these for Abbotswood - for the Soho Pool tanks in our period

 

Have waited for an RTR for a while now but the time when we have to bite the Dapol bullet is rapidly approaching

 

Will go down the John Isherwood transfer route though with etched ladders and metal buffers as suggested above.

 

Phil

I have about 30 of these but I believe the train lengths were 19 tanks max to remain in the 680 tons max allowed in a class "C" train. Any comments as this info is based on a conversation a few years back.

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