Port Line

Hi Lemburg - The rear pony truck etching comes with part 109 which I've just received. Part 110 includes the axle bushes, pivot and spring for this assembly. The wheels must come along later in the build.

Hi JeffP The brass section came with the kit (part 11, I think). It's 1mm square. The instructions suggest cutting lengths of 5mm to represent the plugs. I glued mine in position using epoxy. The remainder of the brass section looks like it may be used for something else later in the build. I hope this helps.

I've noted an oversight in the instructions for drilling holes in the boiler backhead in part 11. The illustration on page 42 shows the position of only six holes to be drilled 1.2mm for the wash-out plugs (A). Checking images of Mallard's backhead on the web shows an additional wash-out plug between the water gauges and under the regulator gearbox. This is confirmed by the illustration of the backhead on page 216 which shows this extra wash-out plug. I'm attaching the relevant illustrations from the magazine which I hope clarifies all this. In the first, I've added the additional location of the 1.2mm hole (A) in blue ink. Unlike the Flying Scotsman build, Hachette has not recommended painting the backhead before attaching the various fixtures and pipework, so it will be interesting to see how this is covered in a future part. I have started to build my backhead by drilling all the relevant holes followed by painting the backhead and I will then start attaching the various fittings. I am currently sourcing copper wire for the pipework on the assumption that Hachette will be advising painting the brass wire provided with copper paint. This was the approach taken with the Flying Scotsman.

I've just received issues 60-63 and a third binder. I don't know if that helps.

The best I could get was two axles more or less matching, but on the third axle the quartering is definitely out. Surely Hachette will have to come up with a fix (replacement wheels?) at some stage as even novice builders will notice that two sets of rods won't fit! In order to clarify matters for members who may be further behind in the build I'm attaching two photos, one with the rod attached to one side of the chassis and the second showing the mismatched quartering on the other side.

Re the FS axles, where the Hachette ones resulted in wobbly wheels, this was solved by fitting Slater's axles instead. I think this is covered on the FS build posted elsewhere on RMweb

I'm also taking this approach, and wouldn't start building the chassis before we have all the driving wheels supplied.

I've had similar success as Rosspop but using Wilko's all purpsoed pain & varnish stripper, which is only a fiver for a 500ml plastic bottle. It seems to act exactly the same as the Polycell although needs to be left on for about an hour. I only needed to use one coat, so there is plenty left to deal with the main boiler section which comes with part 3.

This may help but according to my letter the 0333 number is charged at local rates (although I haven't yet had to call them to see if this is true). You could email them about your subscription number on buildthemallard@jacklinservice.com

I've not received mine yet, but have picked up a copy of the first issue and made up the cab assembly using solder.

I believe this is the link to the original rmweb discussion list on building the Flying Scotsman http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=12095 (there are some others). I guess the build sequence is likely to be similar for the A4? If so, posts on the FS pages may still prove useful.

I seem to remember a similar discussion about costs took place when the Flying Scotsman partwork was launched. I agree with Steve that it's a choice between paying out a hefty lump sum for the DJH kit + wheels, or spreading the cost over 32 months. Personally I can't afford £819.60 direct from DJH but can budget to pay for this kit month by month.

I see the hachette website (http://www.buildthemallard.com/) has added the TV advert and updated some of the free gifts.

Also received my letter today.

I don't know if anyone else received this, but Hachette sent me a further letter stating "we have had to temporarily suspend production of the series. However we do expect to resume later this year. Please be reassured that once publication resumes we will notify you ... and you will receive your first dispatch for free". They also enclosed a metal propeller paperweight as a gift, which may be more useful as a letter opener!