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toboldlygo

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Blog Entries posted by toboldlygo

  1. toboldlygo
    ....not the Bionic Woman, but another Bionic Bulleid - more that later
     
    Two more loco's rolled off the renaming/renumbering and weathering production line this weekend.
     
    First up was Rebuilt West Country 34095 Brentor another one I hadn't done
     

     
    And then T9 30337, looking her age I might add (photo's have been redone )
     

     

     
    Currently awaiting varnishing and weathering in the paintshop is another King Arthur 30797 Sir Blamor de Ganis.
     
    Then the rebuild operation that's been nearly 18 months in the making, since Rebuilt 34100 Appledore fell from my paint table and left me with a complete loco and tender chassis and trashed bodies. Tonight the salvage operation began with the removal of the damage bodies, which I stripped of anything that maybe of use and binned the carcasses. Tender chassis was repaired, it just needed a set of steps replacing. The Loco chassis had lost it's front bogie to another Rebuilt, fortunately I found another one in my parts box. Before fitting the new loco body I removed the nameplates, to save me a job later on. Now it just a case of renaming and renumbering the loco to 34031 Torrington and bringing the 5,250 gl tender body upto spec, before painting and lining out. Then the whole thing can be weathered
     
    That's all for now
     
    TBG
  2. toboldlygo
    So time for another new Tool Airfix kit, I'm taking part in a Latin American Group Build on another forum and I chose to do a Mustang in postwar service with the Uruguayan Air Force.
     
    Anyhow here's the Box Art, Instructions, decals, sprues/frames & aftermarket.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Building up the cockpit & interior, now I chose to assemble the cockpit and fuselage interior in one go and then paint - so I don't have any fit issues when I close up the fuselage.
     

     

     

     
    With the interior installed on one side of the fuselage it was time to close it up.
     

     
    As the kit caters for various versions of the P/F-51 there are different tail options, so a bit of filler was needed.
     

     
    Wing Assembly and fit was next.
     

     

     
    Nice touch with the kit is, plug in flaps, which makes things easier to paint.
     

     
    More bit were assembled and fitted (the elevators aren't glued on)
     

     
    Windscreen was fitted and Canopy test fitted and there bits to add here too. Also, being a post war Mustang it with a different type of aerial, I raided the spares box for that.
     

     
     
    Bomb Racks installed & main undercarriage center door assembly test fitted.
     

     
    Disaster, went to mask up the canopy, I'd only got the wrong scale masks - oops.
     

     
    Fortunately the replacements arrived yesterday!
     

     
     
    So that's all for this part of the build.
     
    TTFN
     
    James
     
  3. toboldlygo
    With the completion of West Country 34031 Torrington, I have 20 WC/BoB's left to do. It's hard to believe that it's not quite 3 years since I started down this slippery slope!!!! My main problem now is decent reasonably priced donors as they are few and far between, I'll get there somehow!!
     
    I plan to revisit two I did in the early days this year, that were modelled using the wrong cab width loco (I didn't know better at the time), these are 34072 257 Squadron and 34110 66 Squadron - donors permitting.
     
    Current state of play on my workbench:
     
    6870 Bodicote Grange - completed, just need to take some better photos when the weather is better.
    (Edit 6/1/12 new photos taken )
     

     
    Q1 33035 - needs coaling and final detailing.
     
    34057 Biggin Hill - in the paint-shop.
     
    6800 Arlington Grange - everything's ready to go, just not started.
     
    And finally there's something streamlined yet to be started
  4. toboldlygo
    Yes it's another Tank and I'm not going bore anyone with a blow by detail build - it's a Shake and bake kit.
     
    The kit was introduced in 2018 as part of Tamiya's 1/48th Scale Military Miniature Series (No.94). It's gives the option to build either the Crocodile Variant or a standard Mk.VII Churchill.
     
    The box-art, instructions, frames, etc.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Part One of the build.
     
    Though I follow the instructions for the most part, I do make sure I get all the bits fitted to the lower hull before painting it.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    This went together in an afternoon and evening, a couple of minor niggles, and a little filling was needed..
     
    Till Part 2
     
    TTFN
     
    James
  5. toboldlygo
    As another Battle of Britain is the paintshop.
     
    I started work repairing the slight beat up A4 Golden Plover I'd acquired off ebay. It needed bits replacing namely the tender chassis and front bogie, plus various parts sticking back on. Didn't take me to long to fix, fortunately she's a smooth runner so I did't have to start dismantling too much. After a few hours work she looks more like an A4, I've also taken the opportunity to fit etched plates which really bring it to life.
     

     
    Next stop paintshop
  6. toboldlygo
    It's finished at last!!!
     
    Well the 5,250gl tender destined for for Matt's (Bluebell Railway's) OO version of 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair is at least. After a slight technical issue, Vallejo's Satin Varnish is glossy compared to Railmatch's. After giving the sides a light rub down with 1200 grit wet and dry, I've oversprayed with Railmatch Satin Varnish. Still after that I've ordered some Vallejo Matt Varnish as I have an interesting idea....
     
    Here is the aforementioned 5,250gl tender in all it's glory basking in the sunshine...
     

     

     
    Also basking in the sunshine, before she goes back into the paintshop to have her final coats of varnish and to be coaled up, is rebuilt West Country 34001 Exeter
     

     

  7. toboldlygo

    A Bulleid Conundrum

    By toboldlygo,

    Ok folks, sorry for the lack of updates, but have been busy with modelling and returning to work after a long layoff.
     
    As I have said a few times (not in these exact words though ), there is no such thing as a dead Bulleid.. Yes I'm talking Appledore 1.0 here, last seen festering on my layout in scrap condition. The loco body is completely U/S, but the rest is ok (tender top needs repairing though). So I'm talking about another Bionic Bulleid, I have the parts (another shop soiled rebuilt and the technology to rebuild...
     
    All I need to do is decide on an identity for Bionic Bulleid No. 3 (the others being Wadebridge II and SR Fighter Pilot) and that's where my good friends on RMWEB come in. I want to do one that I haven't done. So I've made a list and with your help, be able to whittle the list down to a shortlist of 3 or 4...
     
    With a 5,500gl Tender
     
    34004 Yeovil
    34005 Barnstaple
    34012 Launceston
    34013 Okehampton
    34014 Budleigh Salterton
    34017 Ilfracombe
    34021 Dartmoor
    34022 Exmoor
    34042 Dorchester
    34044 Woolacoombe
    34047 Callington
    34095 Brentnor
    34097 Holsworthy
    34101 Hartland
     
    With a 4,500gl Tender
     
    34009 Lyme Regis
    34032 Camelford
    34096 Trevone
    34108 Wincanton
     
    Oh well back to the model kits...
  8. toboldlygo
    Is it Armour, is it Railway or both - all I know is it's big for 1/72nd.
     
    Brief history of the model, it was first released by Hobby Boss in 2007, the Railway Transporter was released in 2008 (without the KARL), this version was released last year, so it's two models in one.
     
    Box-Art
     

     
    Instructions & Colour Call Out.
     

     

     
    The KARL (you have the option of modelling either 040 or 041)
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    No flash to speak of or any ejector pins in the wrong place.
     
    The Railway Transporter.
     

     

     

     

     

     
     
    Again no errant ejector pins and just some minor flash on the wheel hubs.
     
    Overall it looks to be an interesting and slightly challenging build and some alteration to the build sequence will be needed in order to ensure everything lines up.
     
    TTFN
     
    James
     
  9. toboldlygo

    September Update...

    By toboldlygo,

    Layout
     
    All bar one of the points have power now. The last set is giving me some problems as the point motor is only firing in one direction.. grr
     
    I had to re-lay a section of track as it was causing one of the twins to derail. Now just need to order a lot of ballast!!
     
    Commissions
     
    The next two are done for my client, just 8 more to go (plus others no doubt) They are Original Battle of Britain 34064 Fighter Command heavy weathered in pre-April 1962 conditon only slight deviation is that my client has requested Late Crests on every Bulleid I do for him (regardless of whether it actually received it on a unmodified tender) and Rebuilt Merchant Navy 35015 Rotterdam Lloyd also heavy weathered.
     

     

     
    My Loco Roster
     
    There have been a few new acquistions, most notably King Arthur 30452 Sir Meliagrance and Original BOB 34090 Sir Eustace Missenden
     
    Several of my renumberings are on a backburner while I wait for cabside numbers, though I have managed to get on with my Q1 33040 at long last (still waiting on an etch smokebox numberplate - transfer version in place for the moment)
     
    Here's a sneak peak at 33040 still more grot to add
     

     
    That's all for now, another update next month or sooner
  10. toboldlygo
    Having seen all the recent froth on the subject of what to use in front of Merchant Navies, West Country's etc. I thought I've give my perspective on it.
     
    Original - Fresh out of the Works, as built, later loco's had wedge cabs and other modifications from new so this covers them as well.
     
    Modified - Wedge Cab fitted, changes to deflectors, tenders etc.
     
    Rebuilt - The loco is radically change in appearance, though retains enough of it's original DNA to still be called the same class!
     
    Unrebuilt - used as way of differentaiting between the two sub-classes while they were running alongside each other.
     
    Hornby have yet to do an Original West Country or Merchant Navy for the matter when you take these facts into account.
     
    Rant over..
     
    Merry Christmas
  11. toboldlygo
    As hinted at in part 4, the decals were going so well and then it came to the wings and silvering appeared everywhere! 
     
    After several days work and a lot of X-20A Thinners, I got rid of most of it.
     

     

     

     

     

     
    And finally the wings were glued in place and that's the way she sat for the next 5 weeks till work resumed..
     

     
    Yep the dark dirt wash is back..
     

     
    Props assembled and front undercarriage installed.
     

     
    Sitting on her undercarriage (and she's no tail sitter)
     

     
    Wheels on
     

     
    On her wheels
     

     
    Airfix to the rescue
     

     
    Props painted, nearly there.
     
    Ready for her final reveal..
     

     

     
    And an out of this world cameo..
     

     
    The final reveal..
     

     

     

     

     

     
    And then there was three..
     

     

     
    That's all for now (finally
     
    James
     
     
  12. toboldlygo

    T9's an update

    By toboldlygo,

    Well another week or so down the road in 2010 and my current spate of T9's are nearly all complete. 30718 and 30288 are finished, just 30726 remains on the workbench, just needing a few final tweaks to her weathering. I have got to photograph 30288 in natural light as I ran out of time yesterday. Here's the finished 30718
     

     
    On the Bulleid front the 'Bionic One' 34014 is ready for the paintshop now and some serious weathering
  14. toboldlygo
    Time for my June update, first up 34065 Hurricane has left the nest and is with a happy (repeat) customer. Here's one last look at her:
     

     
    To answer Glenn's comment as to what do I use to seal the acrylics? That's relatively straight forward Vallejo Acrylic Matt Varnish Aerosol, I swear by it, doesn't seem to react to climate either and it seems to last for ages, so it's good value per can (in my opinion).
     
    Another Bulleid Light Pacific is complete and about to be listed on a certain auction site West Country Class34035 Shaftesbury, this was a rework of it's earlier appearance on RMWEB, just dirtied her up a bit
     

     
    On the workbench currently is another N15 'King Arthur' Class 30805 Sir Constantine, after fun and games with donors (the first had to be returned because it was rubbish) I've finally got the loco through the renumbering/recresting and renaming phase. Just waiting 24 hours for the transfers to cure, I know you don't need to, but I find I get better results with the varnish and paint going over the top of them.
     
    That's all for now....
  15. toboldlygo
    Okay time for my monthly update. I've been up to eyeballs in Bulleids as usual, a reworked 34085 501 Squadron has left the works and is ready to be listed on ebay (see my gallery for a pic)
     
    Finally after a while a way from King Arthurs (N15's) it's time to welcome a new one to the fold, alright many have come onto my workbench and left in other guises. 30803 Sir Harry le Fise Lake as Hornby don't sell it - with a 5,000gl Urie tender!
     
    For those who aren't aware Sir Harry was given a 5,000gl tender when she was transfered to the Western Section late in her career as the 3,500gl was too small. So there is a mismatch between engine and tender running plates.
     
    It's taken a while to secure a spare tender for the job, but once this was and another Sir Harry acquired. Work commenced at a pace. The tender had to have a bit of remedial work, as the pin that connects it to the engine coupling was missing and it had to be recrested to an early crest (was on a late crest). The engine has been fitted etched nameplates etc. She's just waiting to be masked up for some heavy weathering.
     

  16. toboldlygo
    Time for Part 4...
     
    So where I'd left it, there were bits painted & part painted and a Tempest waiting for them...
     
    With the silver parts retrieved from the loft and the wheel centres masked so the tyres could be repainted - these were sent back to the spray-booth. The undercarriage doors were fitted to the main legs and the dry fitted to the plane - along with various other undercarriage & underside parts (saves glue & paint going everywhere), before gluing into place with Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. These were left to dry, before any touch up paint was done.
     

     
    With the wheels back from paint, these were test fitted (the holes needed opening up). Once I was satisfied with the fit - these were glued into place using Roket Odourless. I also started doing some of the weathering with powders at this point (Tamiya).
     

     
    With the Glue set, the Tempest sat on her wheels for the first time.. 
     
    ... before anyone comments, yes she does look like an early jet 
     

     
    The canopy was glued in place, as was the very fine photo-etch Aerial and the undercarriage locked down indicators (this are very small)...
     

     
    With the prop painted and weathered, this was fitted..
     

     
    And with the weathering done - it's time for the final reveal..
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    No cameo of the next build you cry, well you may of well already seen it  
     
    That's all for now
     
    TBG
  17. toboldlygo
    Yep another Tank build - this time it's Tamiya's M26 Pershing from 2005..
     
    Box Art
     
    Ye
     
    Instructions and colour call out - yes it's green  
     

     

     
    I chose to do option C which technically is T26E3 and not a M26 Pershing.
     
    Decals, metal & rubber bits..
     

     
    The Sprues..
     

     
     

     

     

     
    The Build - very straightforward.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Some paint and fitting the tracks - note the road wheels are offset from one-side to the other (so read the instructions!)
     

     

     
    Being an older Tamiya kit - some minor filling was needed.
     

     
    All painted and decaled.
     

     

     
    Part way through weathering.
     

     
    The Final Reveal..
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Till next time 
     
    TBG
  18. toboldlygo
    Where once there was a sole Lord Nelson, now there are two...
    30865 Sir John Hawkins has joined it's sister LN 30850 Lord Nelson on my workbench.
     
    Currently being prepped for weathering (there's a bit of queue in the paintshop more on that later in the blog). I've drilled out the chimney and fitted most of the details. Here it is straight out of the box:
     

     
    And as promised here's a picture of Lord Nelson taken under natural light:
     

     
    My three kit built pieces of rolling stock are in the process of being weathered now that the numbers are on they will be filthy weathered. I've also got another commission Bulleid in the process of being filthy weathered, shouldn't be too difficult as it was weathered in the first place!!!
  19. toboldlygo
    An update of sorts, it's been a month of hell for me, so I'll be brief.
     
    First up N15 30805 Sir Constantine has left the nest, here's another shot of her (the other picture is in my gallery)
     

     
    West Country 34002 Salisbury was up next, now complete and in storage till I resume sales in late September. Another picture of her is in the gallery.
     

     
    Currently in the paintshop awaiting weathering is West Country 34103 Calshot and on the workbench is a narrow cab T9, destined to become 30117. That's all for now.
  20. toboldlygo
    Time for another piece of Armour - this time it's Russian (albeit in Polish Markings)...
     
    The Box Art
     

     
    Decals & Colour/Markings Call out (it's green lol)
     

     

     
    The Sprues (or Frames), etc.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    The build - fairly straightforward - it's Tamiya after all  
     

     

     

     

     
    Lower hull and tracks painted (and fitted). Important to follow the instructions at this point as the tracks are different on either side - due to offset road wheels.
     

     
    Upper hull and turret painted and fitted..
     

     
     

     
    Last bits of detail fitted..
     

     
    Decals added (all 4 of them)
     

     
    Tracks initially weathered.
     

     
     
    All weathered and ready for her big reveal...
     

     
     
    In the great outdoors..
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    And the important cameo...
     

     
    TTFN
     
    James
     
     
  21. toboldlygo
    Well after a brief check I have realised that my fleet of T9's is growing at an alarming rate, I'll be be turning into a T9-nutter before long....
     
    My roster of T9's is as follows:
     
    30120 a TMC renumbered edition, recrested by me to represent 30120 in it's twilight years in BR service, rather than preserved. Real coal in tender (R2712 was the donor loco).
     
    30288 on the workbench currently awaiting transfers, lightly weathered and awaiting coal (R2830 is the donor loco).
     
    30310 as acquired, except for real coal in tender
     
    30338 renumbered and recrested by me, light weathering and real coal in tender (R2713 is donor loco).
     
    30717 renumbered and recrested, medium to heavy weathering and real coal in tender (R2712 is donor loco).
     
    30718 renumbered and recrested, medium weathering, currently in paintshop, will need coaling to complete (R2712 is donor loco).
     
    30726 6 wheel tender frames swapped round and currently having it's factory weathering tweaked.
     
    30228, 718 & 726 have also had their front NEM coupling pockets removed.
     

  22. toboldlygo
    Going to keep these update blogs quite short - unlike the Shack which is huge.. (I'd forgotten that).
     
    The Aftermarket arrived from Hannants.
     

     
    With the fuselage fully cured, I gave the joint lines a initial clean up & added some more of the glazing, plus test fitted the tail.
     

     
    I turned my attention to the underside and fitted the bomb bay door's etc.
     

     
    Time to work on the wings and all 6 of the engines..
     

     

     

     

     
    The outboard engine nacelles are very different from my previous Shackleton builds...
     

     
    A slight diversion, but on with the build..
     
    Glazing all fitted and engine nacelles closed up.
     

     
    Disassembled for some filling and clean up..
     

     
    Last reassembly before it's painted, filling complete and a few more bits added.
     

     

     
    A few more minor mods to make and then once the primer arrives she'll be into paint..
     
    TTFN
     
    Toboldlygo
     
    James
     
     
     
  23. toboldlygo
    Better late than never, I get on with finishing the Churchill Build:
     
    Completed turret dry fitted to the hull, trailer assembled (wheels not glued) and some minor filling:
     

     

     

     
    With the tracks masked up, it was time to get on the under coats
     

     

     

     
    The tank and trailer were then sprayed Dark Green, while various other detailing parts where painted. Once everything was dry the Churchill re-assembled and the parts glued into place carefully.
     

     

     
    Once everything had dried thoroughly the Decals where added (all 5 of them)
     

     
    She was then returned to the paintshop for initial weathering..
     

     
    I then attacked her with weathering powders, before declaring her finished.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
     

     
     

     
    Oh and not one, but two cameo's..
     

     

     
    Which one am I currently building?
     
    Till next time
     
    TTFN
     
    James
  24. toboldlygo
    Time for another War-bird build - albeit slightly different from the norm.,
     
    .. and yes it's a shake and bake build (and JUG - for those with a dirty mind  )
     
    Box Art
     

     
    Instructions and aftermarket..
     

     

     
    The Frames/Sprues
     

     

     

     

     
    The initial build - straight-forward, so no explanation really needed.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    That's how she stands at present - however I will be restarting on her very soon
     
    TBG
     
    James
     
     
  25. toboldlygo
    As promised some photo's..
     
    First up is my slightly dirty Class 31 D5512, no chassis issues with it either as yet.
     

     
    Here are some comparision shots of an unmodified Wrenn 5,250gl tender and the nearly complete one I've done for Matt (Mr Bluebell Railway)
     
    Front View
     

     
    Side View
     

     
    Rear View
     

     
    Should add since taking these I've lined and crested the otherside, once the transfers have dried, it will be on with the final top coats of satin varnish and final assembly
     
    Not forgetting 34001 Exeter she's inbetween coats of dirt
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