brian daniels

Just been to Southampton to see some friends off on the Queen Vic so took a few of the sailings in and around the docks. This nice new shiny container ship arrived just as I got there, the MOL Treasure. I wondered why they were taking their time pushing it into place as I think it was on it's maiden voyage?

Well I have ordered one of the Airfix Warriors from Antics, website did not say it was out of stock so hopefully should get it. Do I go for the etched metal upgrade kit? Probably not to be honest as it's only a load on a wagon and I am sure it will be good enough as it comes. I have also ordered a Hobby Holidays Warwell kit. It was a toss up between this and the Hattons one but as I would have to add the airbrake equipment and probably change the buffers as well as add the side extensions and plates over the buffers I thought I might as well build the etched one. At least then it will match my other 3 of these kits I have built. And I will be able to solder some brass pieces on for the side extensions unlike if I used the plastic Hattons one where I would have to glue them on which would make them a bit vulnerable for me as I have to pack and un-pack everything when I run them.

Lots of them hence where I got my MoD pictures from.

Shame the MoD has given up on transporting vehicles by rail.

That's good then, I see they are still available and they did an etched upgrade for it.

Just found a picture of ASAM Warrior in 1:48 so might get hold of one. As you can see they fill the cradle up but will a 1:48 be long enough and I will probably have to cut the tracks back to fit. I see that Airfix Warrior has the mesh grills on so won't be in gauge for rail travel but could not ascertain if it could be built without them.

I have just acquired this very nice etched cradle from Pete Harvey Designs for a Warwell so they can carry a Warrior tank. It made up very well and if the weather warms up I should get it painted later. I photographed it on a vac braked JLTRT warwell as my airbraked ones all have vehicles fitted and chained down on them. So I guess I will have to get a Hattons one now to go with this but all I need now is a 7mm Warrior to sit on it. I don't know if ASAM Models do one but theirs will be 1:48 if they do which all my other vehicles are. Only problem is will a 1:48 scale tank sit it's tracks over the cradle, I doubt so personally.

Possible that one will be with and one without orange line.

One of the new 33/1 release will be banger blue minus headlight.

Burma Star will be the pretty one with a grey roof.

That looks like a mistake from Hattons, it should be this year at least!

Blimey Pete that's a blast from the past. It's OK me driving these as I did pass on 33's, quite a while back admitidly.

I'm no fool I am doing this in bauxite! It fits in better with my time period, honest. I just realised this morning I had bought a selection of some of these bolts so thought I had better give it a go. Luckily I have two wagon clips that I bought off the internet from Germany but don't ask me who from as I can't remember, will glue them on shortly. I would love another one so I can run them as barrier vehicles either side of explosives but I can't see me doing another anytime soon. Don't get me wrong it goes together very well just that it goes on for ever and I doubt the ends of my fingers would cope with another.

Done some weathering for a friend on his Heljan 33027, just getting on to take it for a test run.

Nearly done. I just added some EDM plastic bolts and washers to the corners seeing as Peter Warren has on his but I am in two minds whether to add the bolts on the vent runners as it's a very thin etch to try and drill through. Doors and body not fixed yet just in case I need to get into it as I am still not sure it's totally finished yet so I will just look at it for a while and see if I think off anything else to do.

Three on Cricklewood here but I can't remember what all of them were for bar the bins as already mentioned.

I have built one and have another to do. I found them ok, basic underframe detail but looks fine on a layout.

Finished the chassis today. Added a bit of pipework under it though unless it de-rails I doubt you will notice it.

Only just noticed your VIX picture Pete, brilliant, what did you do for the bolts on the corner posts and vent runners?

Well keep your fingers crossed, they may do another run as they have with the 37 and the 47 in progress, who knows.

Interior of a pre-production model showing the new front lights for you.

Yes getting there Pete but it's a bit repetitive doing those sides and ends but it does help that the tabs go into the slots perfectly!

Got the main body on the floor so now it looks like a wagon! Going to be fun soldering the roof on once I have finished with the sides and ends.

I have made a start on my Pete Harvey VIX ferry van kit at last. Not a lot to show for a few days work but soldering up the four sides and two ends does take a while. Lots of bits to make up the eight side vents and strapping.

Did a bit of ploughing on Friday whilst the snow was nice and soft still. I did get about halfway round the layout but it was struggling so did not want to burn any motors or anything like that.