The gladiator kit seems really well designed and as a bonus the one I'm working on now is etched in nickel silver. Bonus!
I've been working on it 2 days so far. I tend to read the instructions but then go my own way. I try to detail each flat piece before erecting it on the engine. I find that most instructions seem to want one to put most of the big pieces on first and then go back with the details. I find it almost impossible to get the little bits to stick that way and usually end up resorting to glue. I must get an RSU some day and see if that makes a difference.
observations so far.
1. The prototype has extremely bendy frames. the frames narrow substantially at both ends.
2. the valences on the kit are actually substantially less deep than on the prototype. id say they should be about 1.5mm deeper.
3. the front bogie is not as good as other GCR kits in the range. its very 2d whereas on the prototype the frames are very often hidden shadow with the springs and other gubbins sticking out by around 7 inch
4. it is really paying off having the drawings, they are enabling me to accurately locate the various rivets, so far the vac pipe run down the right hand valence, the rivets that hold the vac, boiler pressure gauge and train heating gauge on the cab.
5. the kit is really well designed otherwise, hence the drawings only being used for the rivets!
6. interestingly. to me, the rear wheels on the prototype are like the kit, a trailing truck and not a radial axle as I thought.
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