M.I.B

Usual disclaimer etc. I have just "discovered" Scalemania in Braintree although they have been open for 18 months. (I've been "away" for over 3 years with only sporadic trips back to Blighty). As well as R/C cars and rockets and dolls-house stuff, there are model kits and model railway stuff. Usual offering of Hornby track and products, as well as the full range of paints AND Humbrol aerosols as well (on a great bulk buy price). Glues, flocks balsa, Evergreen plastics.......... ratio kits, Airfix kits etc Staff know what they are talking about and helpful: they have ordered some Oxford Diecast stuff in for me. Some shops won't order in - never worked out why. Big downer is that there is no parking anywhere near the shop (on an "enterprise estate" - Braintree Council: how do you expect enterprise to happen if you can't deal with visitors - enterprise is not all done online!) Shop is behind the Sportsman bar/snooker Hall/opposite Frank Howard's building supplies - near to the main Post Office sorting centre. They open late one night a week and also run a modellers club I hear - Google them for more info.

The new owners are working their way through the range and doing a great job of improving them. The two recent purchases I made are extremely satisfactory.

Someone makes a plough TOAD kit already - there's one down in the garage, but I'm settled up here now................ Pretty sure it's Blacksmith and it's one of their recently "improved" kits. It's Falcon brassworks - sorry I was too settled last night to make the trip out to the garage/workshop.

P22 ( Cambrian kit # C110) aren't due out for a couple of weeks apparently. I have the fundage put to one side for 3 and no doubt they'll get put together quite quickly - my PW train has been awaiting them for a couple of months now ( they were due out a while ago).

Thanks for the tip. Could do with one at a bargainous price cos fundage is allocated elsewhere at present: Cambrian P22 ballast hoppers are due out any day soon and I need a few to add to my PW train.

I agree - anyone got a spare ROD tender body for a OO 22XX?

Best applied with a cocktail stick and don't wander too far off the logo to be removed - T Cut leaves a nice gloss smooth area because it is basically liquid fine emery paper. I have 8 SIPHONS (G inside and outside frame, and H) to renumber and re-logo. The workflow is T-Cut, wipe with IPA, new logos, weather, then Testors or Halfords matt varnish. Love the SIPHON inspiration Robin. Many thanks.

Outstanding, and inspiring. Thanks.

Sweet chestnuts may keep the spiders at bay, but the mice will love them...........

Don't use Humbrol spray varnish on anything that has been painted using Humbrol/Revell/Pheonix/Precision type brushing paints out of a tin. Evenb is the paint has been airbrushed on: You get a heavily wrinkled effect that looks good on a 16t steel mineral, but wrong on anything wooden or a steam loco. Halfords now do a Matt varnish in a rattle can. Pricey, but it's good and works on top of factory paint, tinned model paint, and rattle can paint. Works out cheaper than Testors...........

There is a chip in the baggie. Not a blanking plate.

Thanks. DC all the way so no drum-and-bass on my layout! My DCC chip was actually not fitted - it came in a seperate baggie.

Juat got around to unpacking mine at last, and fitting the extras/crew/coal and weathering etc. I sussed out what these parts were and where they went, but what about the circular piece ( 25mm-ish diameter) with 2 grub screw recesses, and the 2 grub screws?

First it was Rhinos, and now it's gardens..............

Thank you Ma'am

I have just got home after 3 months elsewhere, to find that I have purchased a K22 from Ebay some time ago (!!) without remembering. The kit is plastic not an etch. What/who would be the heritage/maker of such a kit? Many thanks.

Mike Many thanks. Excellent models, and a picture paints.............

When I get home I will try to convince Worsley Works to produce a pair of 4mm sides for the K36. We are already in discussions................. Anyone got any drawings or good side-on photos by any chance?

Good to have you back behind the cutting mat. Inspirational as ever. Thanks.

Fantastic - many thanks. "Picture paints a thousand words............"!

I can visually tell the difference between a K19 and a K22. But how can you tell the difference betwen a K36 and a K22 from a side view? Thanks in advance