A Murphy

SCC, Olive Drab, from April 1944 is: 5 parts Humbrol 150 forest green 5 parts Humbrol 159 khaki drab 2 parts Humbrol 33 matt black. It works well on AFVs and other military vehicles. This recipe is taken from the Mike Starmer's 'British Army Colours and Disruptive Camouflage in the UK, France and NW Europe 1936-45 ' which does have colour chips. Cheers, Alastair M

Kevin this is looking better already! I presume you have already tried Peter's Spares for valve gear? Do 51L haveex-Phoenix Hall valve gear that might suit? Could I ask where you got your lamp irons from? Regards, Alastair M

Verrry nice. Alastair M

This book, along with the other Maidment books, are a great source of prototype detail shots, but please, DO NOT TRUST the captions. Some of the captions are a long way off. It does make me wonder why they don't check them, because the Small Wheel 4-4-0 book and the Saints book in the same series give you a fantastic source of photographic evidence. It is often incredibly easy to work out just how wrong the captions are, but I do strongly agree with Coach Bogie's (Mike Wiltshire) caution above, Regards, Alastair M

See above Ian - I'm wronger than a something very wrong.....

Nope, OK and the distance between the front-plate and the cylinder should have tipped me to that, so it must be....... a Hall? Am I warmer? Alastair M

Even when there is photographic evidence, it is sometimes very hard to tell if the loco is lined out in my experience. If you mean post WW1, up until the mid twenties they should have been in the darker green, lined out. I think once withdrawals started in the early thirties, there are more unlined post '28 green locos. After 1945, I suspect (but can't offer substantial evidence) that most engines which survived remained in pretty shabby green or even war-time black. David Maidment's loco portfolio on Small Wheeled Double Framed 4-4-0s has plenty of photo's and has been on offer from Pen & sword recently for £21. I haven't completely got to grips with the book yet. Regards, Alastair M

I have the strangest feeling I might know what this is. I am very curious as to how it might have been built, although I think I might have a pretty good idea. Fantastic! Altogether now: 'Oh when the.........." Best wishes, Alastair M

Markits do washout plugs - I bought mine from Roxey. As a last resort you could consider doing mudhole covers by using a thin slice of plastic or brass rod (to taste) and then layering narrower slices plus filler to produce the required inverted WW1 tin hat shape. That is if nobody knows of an actual; supplier. Alastair M

There's was/is available in sand and green (Italy) and all over olive drab for Europe IIRC. Alastair M. PS Love the immaculate white trainers on that foot-plate! You da man!

Colour looks very good Rob. Best wishes, Alastair M

A veritable firmament of Star(s); wonderful. After definitely looks better to me, but agree with Tallpaul69's comments above. Thanks John, Alastair M PS Wouldn't a Saint make a perfect variation on that train of Toplight's etc....

The thing is John that life without a visit to Stoke Courtney every now and again is just not as much fun as it it is with them. It's brilliant. I can confirm that those shots look dark on my perfectly normal monitor (Dell Latitude) too and I think the contrast between Andy Y's shot and your's in the post above points up the difference? best wishes and thank you for taking the trouble in the first place, Alastair M

Work organisation straight out of the late eighteenth century! Brilliant, thank you, Alastair M

Glad to hear that Gilbert - fish in the fruit bowl is not a good look. Best wishes, Alastair M

Thank you very much Brian and the team. Best wishes, Alastair M

Re: Wishlist Poll: Saints and Bulldogs, Saints and Bulldogs....... I'm building a SE Finecast Saint at the moment so hoping this will prompt a reaction from red or blue team. Alastair M

Sorry couldn't see an e-mail below....

Could I suggest a GWR Armstrong/Standard 0-6-0 goods and a GCR J10. (Sorry couldn't see an e-mail address below) Thanks Alastair M

Pre-trough? Alastair M

That is excellent. I love the stills, but the video is great too. Best wishes, Alastair M

Is that a GEM 7F kit?

.... now where's that pestiferous helicopter? Great work; I can't wait to see James. Best wishes, Alastair M

For 2mm Kiwi: You could try: https://www.yorkmodelrail.com/n-scale/n-scale-1 They have an interesting range of gates, fencing etc and lots more besides..... If this link doesn't work for you, Google York Modelmakers or York Model Rail best wishes, Alastair M

That is beautiful work on the shop! best wishes, Alastair M