ralfmouf

Hi, One thing Hatchette have done for us is provide a boatload of A4 bodies so there will be a glut for probably the next 10-20 years, I personally took advantage from WHS £5 offers & made sure I have a few in case of bal*s ups etc, now yes today mine came in post not too excited as I already have said parts... The A3 print I did not have is now here & the as on ebay magnifyting "helping hands" worth about £6 thingy will be forthcoming. I don't yet have issue 4 but it sounds to me to have very little in it window frames & bits from what ive seen I'll personally keep the subscription on till I consider as others have mentioned is basically £8 a copy for little bits. With the overcoating of grey primer removed I must admit the detail is pretty good on the main body but on the skirts there is front & back gaps once fitted but once painted properly may not be so evident. I hate whitemetal small detail parts on any loco as they are so weak that once bent will be prone to break off, So has anyone got any suggestion of a supplier alternative Lost Wax Brass alternatives for the lamp irons for a start ? As I see an opportunity for a supplier for better parts for us to buy & use whilst the whitemetal bits go on ebay.... Just my comment. ALF

Hi, Ive now used Nitomors on the body the paint came off as I was applying the stuff excellent for the paint removal. It also worked on the brassbut after drying off remnants of the lacquer were still there but a lot less work than rubbing, so Ill redo the brass next session when I do the skirts. Now the paint is gone the indents for the nose side lamp brackets are more clearly visible & are not where they are on the original they are too close to the body. As from my photo below on the real loco they are located more or less exactly in the middle of the skirt.. ALF

Guys, Now were on the subject of removing there so well coated brass finish to make glue bond better i'm old skool & definitely am going to solder my kit wherever possible, I removed the areas off the cab with a GARYFLEX block with ease... But what has now come into my mind is the areas that we don't remove the varnish (coating) from at the final result once the kit is finished will it be a problem to spray areas that meander from there coating remains to bare soldered to brass ? W.R.T finish & paint reacting that could be a major problem or not any experienced sprayers like to comment on possible reactions ? ALF

Hi, Now I know its metal im interested in the whole kit as being no 43 in the subscriber list was initially put off after seeing plastic looking parts & hearing from what now are not reliable sources that it isn't.. Right im off to WHS tomorrow to buy 2 or maybe 3 of them as spares even though it will be posted from the subscription to me later. As regards the small screws iv'e read in other forums as missing, there's a attachment to the packaging that some guys may have discarded without close examination, I must at this point also comment that if its not whitemetal some of the Tamiyas tank kits iv'e had recently have very well formed metal tank bases to them I hope this is the same casted/moulded quality ! ALF

Hi, Had an email from them today promising the first 3 issues free & gifts @ no cost & wonder how many shiny propellers are on ebay , BTW Has anyone had a D/D on there card for £12 odd as I have this week wonder if its them ??? Hatchette. Also they keep going on about registering on there website with the subscription number I have setup the website but even now have never been told by them my subscription number ? will I have to call premium rate number just to find out ????? im getting more miffed by the day about this whole kit ! ALF

Hi, Garryflex block removed the varnish coating & I suspect many more abrasives would, but my concern is the depth of the etched grooves on the cab (this i issue 1 dont forget ) for folding unless scored or worked on were not deep enough to merely bend into shape caused distortion of the cab windows, unless you have small bending gear which most gluers/starters of this type kit (beginners) wont have or want the further expense of buying & these tools are not recommended in the first issue, however if you guys same as me I prefer to buy quality washout plugs & the first issue is worth 50p just for them ! Also for your attention I personally dont like the idea of sticking parts together with superglue only solder. & im also miffed that as bieng a original subscriber that showed the body as whitemetal has now migrated to plastic ! ALF