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toboldlygo

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  1. toboldlygo

    Hartland

    By toboldlygo,

    Another completed renaming/weathering project rolls off the TBG workbench, in this case Modified (rebuilt) West Country Class 34101 Hartland
     

     
    (Another shot will be appearing in my gallery shortly)
     
    Other news, is I've given up waiting for the transfers from Modelmaster and finish my renaming/renumbering of a Lord Nelson. Also my rebodied tender for a MN is well underway, I should have the lining and crests on the tender tomorrow
     
    That's all for now
  2. toboldlygo
    It's been a long time since I've written a blog entry, health issues amongst the reasons I haven't posted much - thankfully it looks like I'm on the mend.
     
    A lot of locos have passed across my workbench this year, for those keeping tally:
     
    12 West Country's/Battle of Britain's;
     
    Here's the 12th (number 99) awaiting masking and it's visit to the paint-shop 34021 Dartmoor
     

     
    5 Q1's
     
    2 M7's
     
    2 T9's
     
    2 School's
     
    2 Granges
     
    An A4
     
    1 28xx (though this ones, not finished as it not on the production slate for some time)
     
    1 N15 (That surprised me, I thought I'd done more of them than that)
     
    1 Merchant Navy
     
    And finally a B1;
     
    This is one of 2 Bargain B1's I picked up from Rails, I had to swap smokebox doors to create the correct one - 61313:
     

     
    Since I took this picture, she gained numbers, crests and Shed code plate (41D), though she ended up on Southern Rails for a time
     
    (Tender and Engine are separate at the moment, hence it looks odd in the picture)
     
    There's a whole load more on the slate too:
     
    The 28xx I mention above
     
    8 more WC/BoB's (Number 13 will be started in a week or so all being well, that will be number 100 for those keeping count) - 2 are return to works.
     
    2 N15's (including a mismatch tender )
     
    Another Q1, plus a N class, another B1, a 57xx and a Standard Arthur - haven't done one of them in a long time.
     
    There'll be more I know.
     
    That's all for now
     
    TBG
  3. toboldlygo
    On with the build - I've been busy..
     
    Up next I busied myself with clean up on various parts of the rear main gun - I also had to modify one part as it was a short-shot.
     

     
    I also painted and added a couple of the life buoys..
     

     
    The rear gun was added next..
     

     
    At this point I decided to add some of the rigging - lots of pennies in the swear jar!
     

     

     
    Then I got on with a job I'd put off, because of the clean up - the Hedgehog Anti-Submarine Mortars..
     

     

     
    These were painted and fitted to the ship.
     

     
    I went back in the instructions and cleaned up (there's a lot), assembled, painted and fitted a lot of parts (including the anchors & chains..
     

     

     

     
    Then I concentrated on getting the top deck of the bridge to fit, before painting - again there was a need for some plaster-card..
     

     
    I painted the side frames first and glued them in place using the upper deck to ensure alignment.
     

     
    The top deck was painted and glued in place. Once dry a few more bits were added.
     

     

     
    I would say I'm nearly there, but here's what's left on the sprues..
     

     
     
    That's almost all for now on this build (I'm build the remaining guns atm)
     
    Till next time
     
    TBG
     
     
     
  4. toboldlygo
    February and March have flown by and there's me too busy to post and update.
     
    Well here goes, my Bulleid plans have been tweaked and several other locos have been slotted into the mix.
     
    T9 30718 was in works and was subsequently completed:
     

     
    These locos have been completed:
     
    Q1 33034, I really love weathering these. This is the 6th Q1 I've renumbered so far, it's also the first loco I've used etched route indicator discs on.
     
    An 'Inworks' picture taken prior to weathering
     

     

     
    M7 30053, 2nd M7 I've done, this one had to be recrested back from a late to an early crest, again I've detailed up the top of the water tank with the fireman's tools (Hornby ones painted )
     

     
    BoB 34084 253 Squadron, 93rd Bulleid light pacific I've done not including repeats . It caused a bit of head during the research during the quest for crests, as it appeared to have run briefly in 1959 with a 4,500gl unmodified tender with a late crest, before having it's 5,500gl one back with it's Early Crest!
     

     
    WC 34108 Wincanton, 94th Bulleid etc. This one caused a bit of confusion as according to Irwell Presses 'The Book of West Country and Battle of Britain Class Pacific's' she was rebuilt with a 4,500gl tender and then had it swapped for a 5,500 gl tender in 1964 end of story you'd think. However when I was looking for photos, she's clearly seen on the end of steam specials in 1967 with a 4,500gl tender again - bangs head against brick wall lol I still modelled with the 5,500gl one as I had photo's of her with it phew
     
    An 'Inworks' picture taken prior to weathering
     

     

     
    There would have been a couple more but things got slowed down by the renovation of my Pond
     

     
    Up next to the workbench is another Q1 33033, then WC 34106 Lydford and MN 35013 Blue Funnel.
     
    That's all for now TBG
  5. toboldlygo
    14 Months Later..
     
    In what will hopefully be the penultimate part of HMCS Snowberry's build and in the new 'Works', I make substantial progress on the Very Big Build..
     
    First order of business was to figure out where I'd got to in the instructions and give Snowberry a dust down.
     
    Fortunately that was the bridge..
     

     
     

     
    With the bridge being put in place, I could get the rigging done - EZ Line from now on.
     

     
     

     
     

     
     

     
     

     
    The bridge is nearly there just the radar tower to build - oh here that is..
     

     
    While the radar tower was in paint, I got on with adding the posts and railings to the engine room roof - I used aftermarket posts from Great Little Ships and EZ Line.
     

     
    With the radar tower installed - the bridge was finished and it was time to go back to the right place in the build sequence.
     

     
    Bits added to the aft of the engine room.
     

     
    I decided at this point to replace some of the original rigging I'd done with EZ Line. Plus the nameplates went on (20 year old decals are not for the faint of heart) , the steps (in the wrong place) and the jibs for the depth charge launchers - these had a few tweaks.
     

     
     

     
     

     
    Then came the tedious part - making up depth charges and the launchers.
     

     
    The launchers fitted in place beautifully (thankfully).
     

     
    Not many complete sprues left now..
     

     
    With the dinghy racks assembled (needed some mods), I discovered the ladders to the aft deck from a midships where in the wrong place  
     
    These were moved, while the dinghy racks & depth charges were being painted for the port side.
     

     
    With those parts all glued in place, I added the rope to one of the reels/drums (4 feet of twine).
     

     
    Rinse and repeat for the port side and then I added a few bits a midships for the boats..
     

     
     

     
    That should've been it, however today I assembled the boats..
     

     
    These need a bit of work (including some very visible raised ejector pins!)
     
    That's all for this part, sorry it was so long in coming.
     
    TTFN
     
    James
     
     
     
     
  6. toboldlygo
    So two build's for the price of one here..
     
    First up the Sand House, this was a straight-forward build apart from the curving the roof and also had lighting to install.
     

     
    Completely built
     

     

     
    Part way painting
     

     
    Installing the lighting
     

     
    Painting almost done.
     

     
    I also painted the interior
     

     
    Fresh from Weathering
     

     
    Testing the lighting and then outside for a photo-shoot.
     

     

     

     
    Up next was the Stable Block, this took a bit more time to build and again would have lighting.
     

     

     
     

     

     

     
    Then it was priming and paint..
     

     
    And then some weathering..
     

     
    Testing the lighting
     

     
    And outside for a photo-shoot.
     

     

     

     
    That's all for these builds
     
    TBG
  7. toboldlygo
    So after a couple of months or virtually no activity and with me laid up with various ailments, I decided to get on with the Attacker...
     
    First up I gave it another once over for filler and clean up.
     

     
    Then I gave the whole plane an undercoat of Nato Black & then painted up the cockpit & ejector seat.
     

     
    With the ejector seat in place the canopy was fitted and it was masked up for paint.
     

     

     
    With the canopy spray black & the refilled area at the wing root resprayed, I sprayed the whole aircraft Sky Type S.
     

     
    This was allowed to dry for a few days and then I masked up for the top coat.
     

     
    The top coat (Sea Grey) was applied and the masking was removed.
     

     
    Undercarriage bays were painted next.
     

     
    Nose was masked up and painted red (quite a challenge) and the whole plane was given a clear gloss coat. Once this was dry I fitted the undercarriage struts.
     

     
    Decals went on next, very time consuming as they were very thin and fragile..
     

     
    Once the decals were dry, the wheels and undercarriage doors were fitted.
     

     
    I gave the Attacker a semi-gloss clear coat to seal the decals, de-masked the canopy and fixed into the open position and fitted the photo-etch aerials and the build was done.
     

     
    The obligatory cameo..
     

     
    Out in the fresh air.
     

     

     

     

     

     
    Till next time.
     
    TBG
  8. toboldlygo
    As sneak peaked in the last part of my Shack build, the mighty Sea Vixen was my next build from Airfix.
     
    I have history with the real Sea Vixen, I worked on one during my time at Dunsfold - speaking of which here she is..
     

     
    The kit itself is very well molded, the fit is very good - though there's been a few issues, more on those later in the blog entry..
     

     
    Cockpit assembly, I replaced the ejector seat loops.
     

     

     

     

     
    Cockpit fully painted
     

     
    Fuselage buttoned up
     

     

     
    Flaps on the the underside need some fettling (and will need some filling later)
     

     
    Over 40 grams of ballast have been added forward of the nose wheel
     

     
    Alas more railway commissions beckon, so that's it for now..
     
    TBG
  10. toboldlygo
    I decided to have a short break from railway commissions, but instead of going back to the Sea Vixen, I opted to start something new..
     
    .. so I dug this kit out of my stash - the Trumpeter 1/48th Scale DH Sea Hornet NF.21.
     
    I'm glad I did to, this kit has gone together beautifully and quickly, with the minimum of flash and only a few minor bits of filling needed (bit like the Wyvern).
     
    Typical of me, I built things out of instruction order!
     
    I started with the wings, engines and tail empernage...
     

     

     
    Then I built the pilot's and navigator (and/or radar operator's) cockpits.
     

     
    I built these up before painting
     

     
    Installing in fuselage and buttoning up..
     

     

     
    Dry fitting the wings, tail and fuselage together...
     

     
    Test fitting the wing fold brackets and the left and right handed props..
     

     
    Fitting the arrestor hook (the only part that had a serious amount of flash)
     

     
    Canopies glued on (I'm doing this one canopy closed)..
     

     
    A little bit of rubbing down and she'll be ready for paint (Sky first obviously) - hopefully I'll get this one done before I have get back to Railway stuff.
     
    Till next time
     
    TBG
  11. toboldlygo
    So it's been over 6 months since an update on this big build, but now there's been some work on it. Some of these photo's have appeared on my thread..
     
    With the Peco Bull-head track cut into lengths it was time to make up the base for the shed, I went for a magnetic attachment using 3mm rare earth magnets (I only needed ten sets).
     

     
     

     

     
     

     
    With the base plate made it was time for some surgery on the engine shed
     

     

     

     

     
    With this done, it was time to test fit the track & work out where to isolate the track, it was initially planned to be 3 section per track in the shed - however when I put some loco's in, it was very apparent that wouldn't work.
     

     

     
    After consulting with my Client (and his brother) the issue isolating sections was sorted and instead of three sections it was reduced to two per track in the shed. I had to cut the inspection pits out first prior to laying the track. Once the track was laid, wired up and cut, the inspection pits were added.
     

     

     

     

     
    I also altered the height of the shed entrances (more styrene).
     

     

     
     
     

     
     
    Next up was the fun part, cutting up strips of styrene strip and sheet to make up the floor. This was then painted a suitable colour.
     
     

     

     

     
     
    With the hard part done, I started painting the interior, modifying some Hornby Buffer beams to fit and gluing the roof frames in place (after they'd been painted).  The base plate was also collected part way through this by my client (hence why it disappears part way through the photo's below lol).
     
     

     

     

     

     
     
    Now next up I should've been installing the lighting - however Amazon let me down on some parts, so in the meantime I got on building up the roof panels.
     
     

     

     

     

     

     
    So that's all for this build update.
     
    TTFN
     
    James
     
     
     
     




  12. toboldlygo
    For the first time in ages a new West Country rolls off the TBG workbench (literally of course) 34004 Yeovil in Rebuilt guise. The donor and plates had been sitting around for ages so the time had come to do a renaming from scratch. Like a well oiled machine it rolled off the production line in no time at all.
     

     
    While Yeovil was in the paintshop, I busied myself with a Battle of Britain (Tangmere) donor and created a new version of 34065 Hurricane. This will get the heavy weathered treatment before too long. She's seen here next to Yeovil on my new twin track display board - which itself still has some work to do.
     

     
    That's all for now...
  13. toboldlygo
    Well she's had an adventure or two, been from one end of the country to the other and three different owners. Now she's back home where she belongs, I'm talking about one of Bulleids of course, one that was a reluctant sale to a certain dodgey car dealer - 34093 Saunton.
     
    Missing a step was the only sign of her epic journeys, that fortunately was in the parts bag so was quickly re-attached and the correct shedcode fitted (71A Eastleigh). A quick dust and she had her picture taken in the afternoon sun.
     

     
    Also finally finished is my A4 60031 Golden Plover, not clean, but not filthy either Though for running she'll have the pipes removed.
     

     
    Currently in the paintshop is 34060 25 Squadron and finished and looking for a new home is 34055 Fighter Pilot
     

     
    That's all for now....
  14. toboldlygo

    A new era?

    By toboldlygo,

    As another Bulleid sits completed 34082 615 Squadron and another is about to be given the one over 34055 Fighter Pilot, something else has arrived to be given the Toboldlygo treatment and it isn't Southern....
     
    More on that in a bit here's another view of 615 Squadron
     

     
    Right I've always had a soft spot for A4's and yes I've owned one before. Now another one sits in my intray..
     
    Keep yer eyes peeled for updates...
  15. toboldlygo
    As I was feeling Loco'd out, a client brought me something else to build - a Timber Tracks GWR Coaling Stage.
     

     
    Initial impressions, it's a big kit - in fact Mum when she saw the box assumed it was 3 kits!
     
    First up the instructions guide you in easily, with the relatively simple task of building the tank - in fact this shows the way the whole construction of the kit will go (layers)..
     

     

     

     
    Next up is starting to build up the main part of the building...
     
    First up the carcass:
     

     
    Next up, the inner ground wall veneers (the vee block was made by me, nearly 30 years ago).
     

     
    Then it's the first floor.
     

     
    Next it's the inner first floor veneers (pegs and clamps come in handy here).
     
     
     
    Outer walls next - these align quite easily.
     

     
    Due to not being a "Gold" Member I've reach my 10 MB limit for this part - part 2 will follow shortly.
     
    TBG
  16. toboldlygo
    So in a brief interlude from the Attacker build (waiting for the filler to cure properly), I decided on a quick build. This kit arrived Thursday morning:
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    The parts removed very cleanly from the sprue and only need a minimum of clean up.
     

     

     
    Though an older tooling (2006) the fit was very good.
     
    Obviously I've diverged slightly from the instructions because of painting..
     

     
    To give some extra weight the lower hull is die-cast, so super glue is needed to glue the front & rear panels to the lower hull.
     

     
    At this point the wheels and tracks should be fitted, however I decided to make things easier and build up the top of the hull and the turret (the top of the hull is secured to the bottom half of the hull by two screws)
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Next wheels, lower hull and the underside of the topside of the hull painted.
     

     
    The wheels, idlers & drive sprockets where glued to the lower hull and the tracks returned from paint.
     

     
    With the tracks assembled and fitted the hull could be closed up finally and a Cromwell appears.
     

     
    With some minor filling and clean up done, the tracks where masked up and it was ready for paint.
     

     
    A coat of Nato Black was applied.
     

     
    Then a shadow coat of Insignia White
     

     
    After several coats of Dark Green and some details painted the Cromwell is nearly ready for Decals.
     

     
    A photo taken under more different lighting.
     

     
    That's all for now.
     
    TBG
     
  17. toboldlygo
    On with Part 2 of the build and to be honest there was much left to do..
     
    Decals were applied, some of which needed an awful lot of Microsol to sit down properly - was going to do Option B on the decal scheme, but opted scheme A instead. I also fitted the towing cable after the decals had gone off and started off the weathering with some dry brushing using Vallejo Model Air Rust & Dark Umber.
     

     
    I then put on a clear coat of Tamiya Flat Clear and Vallejo Wash (Black) these were allowed to dry thoroughly, before any more weathering was done.
     

     
    After Airbrushing on some more dirt, I was delighted to see that my resin aftermarket stowage kit arrived early and trialled out where I would put a few bits.
     

     
    The resin parts were then primed and painted and glued into place with Glue N Glaze, I then added some securing ropes using EZ Line. Once the glue had set, I went to work with the weathering powders and the Cromwell was done..
     

     
    Overall a nice quick kit to build - will I build another Tank, quite possibly  
     
    So here's the finished Cromwell out in the open..
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    That's all for this build, till next time.
     
    TBG
     
    Edit: 20/11/2019 Forgot the Cameo didn't I? Well here it is 
     

     
  18. toboldlygo
    Well a Bulleid down and an N15 on the road to being finished.
     
    34038 Lynton is finished and looking for a new home, there's a photo in my Bulleid Gallery, but here's another more frontal shot.
     

     
    Also before I get on with another Bulleid, I decided to rename my other Sir Harry le Fise Lake to something else (way too many Sir Harry's on ebay ) With a couple of hours work when the plates arrived from Fox Transfers, Sir Arry became 30794 Sir Ector de Maris on a 70D (Basingstoke) shedcode. I've tweaked the weathering a little and she's got the large numbers on her cabside (correct for the loco). Still have to reseal the numbers, etc.
     

     
    On a final note a trip to modelzone this morning has got me thinking about doing a N gauge Layout - Farish's DELTIC is crying out for me to do a little layout
  19. toboldlygo

    January Update

    By toboldlygo,

    A New Year and time for a brief update.
     
    First up my second Schools renaming/renumbering is complete (picture posted in my gallery) 30919 Harrow is a welcome newcomer to my fleet.
     
    The etched smokebox numberplate finally arrived from Fox Transfers for my Q1 33040 and that's now been fitted.
     
    Currently completed and awaiting photographs is my reworked Rebuilt Battle of Britain 34089 602 Squadron this will be put up for auction on ebay at some point. This loco was intended for my ex-client (dodgy dove house jag dealer), but as he couldn't be honest, it's going on ebay like the last three - it was very satisfying to see them go for good money and to good homes .
     
    Just stripped into parts to start it's process of weathering is sister Rebuilt BofB 34071 601 Squadron another one intended for my ex-client. I think there's just two more to go after that one.
     
    I've still got to fit etched plates to one of my LN's (30865 Sir John Hawkins) which is going to be a pain in the bum to put it mildly.
     
    Then I've finally got a Rebuilt West Country to do which I haven't done yet, this time it's 34004 Yeovil
     
    Till next time Jim
  20. toboldlygo
    Now where was I... oh yes Lord B was waiting to be coaled, that was a few days ago.
     
    With the coal and ash (I use white sage ash for that) deposits added. It was time to add grease, oil and water deposits to the loco as appropriate for the condition. I use Tamiya Smoke for this as it is very effective for me.
     
    So finally here's a very dirty Bulleid:
     

     
    No for a quick update on the renaming/numbering front
     
    Currently on my workbench is a rebuilt West Country donor being stripped of its identity (34026 Yes Tor) ready to become 34101 Hartland
     
    After that a Merchant Navy renaming project, with a twist I'm doing a rebodied 5,250 gl tender to sit behind it. Not sure which one that will be yet.
     
    And finally I've acquired this very day a suitable donor Schools to become 30919 Harrow.
  21. toboldlygo
    My latest two commissions are with a very satisfied client (he took one of them down the pub to show his mates!!)
     
    Before she departed I took some hi-res pictures of rebuilt Merchant Navy 35030 Elder Dempster Lines.
     

     

     
    Before I start on this months pair (34064 Fighter Command and 35015 Rotterdam Lloyd), I've got Schools 30914 Eastbourne to complete (waiting on shedcode plate (75B Redhill) from Fox Transfers and cabside number transfers from Modelmaster). I've also acquired another Schools which will become 30919 Harrow. That's to add to a Lord Nelson and Q1 both of which are to have new identities (not saying what at the moment )
     
    Plus my client wants me to do 35003 Royal Mail for him with a 5,250 gl tender. I've got the tender top, he's going to source me a donor loco.
     
    This all means I'm pretty busy, but doesn't mean I haven't found time to recommence work on the BBL, it's now grown by another baseboard and track has been laid and yes one of the Twins has been out testing it.. for those who don't know I have both FIA Trains LMS Twins 10000 & 10001.
     
    I've started installing point motors - two today, need to acquire 3 more plus the switches to finish the motorisation of the BBL part of the layout. I'm coming to the complicated part where I need to make removeable section which will enable access to part of the loft.
     
    Also at some point I'm going to have to do a bit of camera trickery and take a panoramic shot of the layout as it stands.
  22. toboldlygo
    .... just in a different shade of green!!!
     
    I took advantage of a "Volcano Day" , (well it is dead at the Airport at the moment). I plowed on with the Bullieds. 34049 Anti-Aircraft Command is all bar done for my client and my personal project 34050 Royal Observer Corps - this time in its original form and in Malachite!
     
    She still has a way to go, light weathering varnishing and coaling. Here is a sneak peak...
     

  23. toboldlygo
    OK time to take the wraps off a wee project I've been concocting for a while. Well I've had the plates for about 2 months, I've now managed to get the donor .
     
    A few hours work produced this Clan/6MT 72014 Firebrand. The etched plates are from Jackson Evans and it's carrying a 72B Sailsbury Shedplate. A work of pure fiction I know, as the Southern Region Batch of Clans was never built.
     
    There's work to be done as I still have to varnish and coal, but no weathering I'll be leaving her in pristine conditon.
     

     

     
    Is it too late to enter it the Clan from Brit competition
     
    Update 25/09/2010
     
    Here's a photo of the finish loco taken this afternoon, the other will be found in my gallery section
     

  24. toboldlygo
    After a little over a month away from the build (and feeling slightly demoralized by the B-29A build - blog entry to come), I felt it was time to complete the Sea Hornet..
     
    Assemblies were given a wash in soapy water and allowed to dry. I then masked up the canopies and used foam to mask up the undercarriage bays..
     

     
    Then painting could begin...
     
    First up the Sky underside
     

     
    Then I hand painted the undercarriage bays silver (as per the instructions) and once that dried masked up the assemblies that needed a top coat of Dark Sea Grey (this varies from era to era for the correct shade)
     

     
    With masking removed, not much touching was needed (tail empernage fitted).
     

     
    Inner wing sections added
     

     
    Outer wings and assorted parts painted.
     

     
    3 quarters of the transfers/decals added..
     

     
    Just awaiting the handed props..
     

     
    Props fitted and certain baby sister making a cameo of sorts...
     

     
    Posing in the late afternoon sun..
     

     

     

     

     

     
    Usually at this point I'd say 'that's it for now' But this time it isn't, as there'll be another blog entry coming later today
     
    TBG
     
     
  25. toboldlygo
    Yes I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything on my blog, nearly 3 months in fact.
     
    I've been busy with work, life and my commission work. I've finally got myself a new camera (Canon EOS 1000D to be precise).
     
    So some fun was had this afternoon taking a few pics of my latest commission 34057 Biggin Hill Not as dirty as some I've done in the past, but a pleasant patina of grime, rust/grease/limescale streaks, overflowing coal and ash residue after a clean out of the smokebox (a first for me)
     
     

     

     

     
    Next on the commission front is 35030 Elder Dempster Lines to be weathered in a similar vein.
     
    Also this weekend after nearly a year of inactivity, I framed out another base-board for the BBL (Bulleid-Branchline) though had to stop as it wsa getting way too painful to clamber up and down a ladder (I've got tendinitis at the moment!!)
     
    I've also got a few personal loco projects waiting to start, which are:
     
    Schools 30914 Eastbourne - donor/plates are here, just waiting to start on it.
     
    Lord Nelson (Identity not yet chosen) - donor acquired though.
     
    Q1 33006 as acquired, just to be weathered up some more.
     
    Plus I've got etched plates to fit to my other 2 Lord Nelsons (Lord Nelson and Sir John Hawkins)
     
    Well that's all for now..
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