4mm Jan's 4mm Workbench

[jonte]

Hello @jonte

Ba Boom Tish!

Thank you. Note away; I like how the deck has turned out. Not bad for a bit of scrawked Plasticard, even if I do say so myself!

The colours are what I had to hand. I seem to have eight different shades of Red Oxide, and a couple or tins of Dunkelgrau from my 1/35 days - some 40+ years ago!

Thanks again

Cheers

Jan

I know.....apologies for the awful pun. I can’t tell ‘em like you do

40+.....where does the time go?

1/35: forgive my ignorance, Jan, but is that a military modelling scale or big train set stuff?

Bestest,

Jonte

 

[Lyndhurstman]

I know.....apologies for the awful pun. I can’t tell ‘em like you do

40+.....where does the time go?

1/35: forgive my ignorance, Jan, but is that a military modelling scale or big train set stuff?

Bestest,

Jonte

No apology necessary, Jonte. Awful is good. In fact, the more awful, the better. For me. But you could tell that already, couldn’t you?

Yes... back then I had a penchant for all things Tamiya - especially WW2 Eastern Front stuff. I think I built three Tiger 1’s in that time... Great kits, but the tracks were awful. These days, the after-market sellers like Friulmodel can rectify that
ATL-06 TIGER I middle-late • Friulmodel webáruház

I sometimes get tempted to revisit the branch of the hobby, but I’ve got so much time and money invested in Tiny Trains, it’s a road I’m steering well clear of travelling. Having said that, I do have a couple of Airfix Mk1a Spitfires in the drawer - one with Eduard cockpit detail and vacformed canopy... I blame @Heather Kay for derailing my good intentions!

Cheers

Jan

 

[jonte]

Ah, Heather. Good at everything; so envious. Sometimes, when I think I’ve just about got the hang of this modelling ‘thang’, I look at at Heather’s threads and cry

I’ve great admiration for those Military modellers and their dioramas. Wonderful attention to detail, and no doubt the catalyst for massive improvements in our own branch of the hobby in recent years.

I had several 1/72 scale Spitties in my youth, each sporting paint finishes consistent with the infantile art of finger painting. The transfers, as I recall, ended up anywhere but where they were supposed to, although most chose to stick to my fingers rather than the dodgey paint work of the model. Why I kept choosing to build so many of the same kit is beyond me, although I think that 1:1 scale version in my avatar had a hand in it

I’ve since been tempted by the larger scale Spitfire but the lure of toy trains will always out.

That said, the R/C Mozzy , with its impressive wingspan and retractable u/c that almost grazes my bonce as it hangs impressively from the ceiling of my local model shop each time I visit, is a great temptation. To say nothing of the fan powered Hawk, Thunderbolt type WW2 hobby, huge glider....you can see where this going, Jan.

If your ‘1a’ ever sees the light of day, be sure to let us all have a butcher’s.

Bestest,

Jonte

 

[Heather Kay]

Good at everything; so envious.

I prefer to think of myself as a Jack (or Jill) of all trades, but master/mistress of none. There are many, many threads on this very web site that leave me slack-jawed and envious.

I think it’s good to play with other modelling. I’ve seen techniques that were the province of the military modellers become commonplace in railway modelling over the years, too. My hairyplanes are part of a lifelong obsession, and provide a safety valve for when other things aren’t going quite so well. I, too, look forward to Jan's Spitfires appear in time.

 

[jonte]

I prefer to think of myself as a Jack (or Jill) of all trades, but master/mistress of none. There are many, many threads on this very web site that leave me slack-jawed and envious.

I think it’s good to play with other modelling. I’ve seen techniques that were the province of the military modellers become commonplace in railway modelling over the years, too. My hairyplanes are part of a lifelong obsession, and provide a safety valve for when other things aren’t going quite so well. I, too, look forward to Jan's Spitfires appear in time.

Far too modest, ma’am

I can understand the benefits of an ‘aside’ in your line of work. I can’t even begin to imagine how intense it can become at times but, I reckon, extremely rewarding most of it.

Kindest,

Jonte

 

[Lyndhurstman]

No Country For Old Men

Finished. The PSB’s last throw of the dice - the numbering - left them a gibbering heap of humanity; nerves shredded, and all energies spent. I’ve sent them off to The Volunteer on Mill Place to imbibe their way back to normalcy. Please don’t look at the cant of this stuff: their mahlsticks have been put in places, and at odd angles that would render Houdini speechless. And don’t look to closely, or you’ll see where they Kleared an area on the left hand panel for the number, forgetting it was a Palbrick B, and not an A...

Suffice it to say, it was a battle to the last. The placement of the delicate artistry of CCT’s BL56D was almost a bridge too far; we almost ran out of Kidwelly XP sets - using 3 of the 4 just on one corner. Placement on the triangles is a complete Pfaff. Or a right sew and sew. One side of this wagon almost ended up in Worksop as a result! How they would have worked getting the two halves back to their respective depots we thankfully don’t have to consider!

Anyway, the paint’s drying now. It will be drifted with Testors tomorrow.

Thanks for sticking with us. I’m off for a lie down!

Our best to you all.

Jan

obo Watkins Wharf Wagon Works

 

[jonte]

This war of attrition seems, understandably, to have taken its toll on the Watkins’ workforce, Jan, although I have to say their resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance in the face of this non-compliant, have paid massive dividends in terms of the favourable outcome; of that there can be no doubt.

Please permit me therefore to assert a deserving: “Bravo, stout fellows! “ (and, of course, you too Jan )

Very well done.

However, I hope for the sake of your sanity it’s the only one in the consist (as our American cousin’s would say .

Fondest,

Jonte

 

[Lyndhurstman]

This war of attrition seems, understandably, to have taken its toll on the Watkins’ workforce, Jan, although I have to say their resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance in the face of this non-compliant, have paid massive dividends in terms of the favourable outcome; of that there can be no doubt.

Please permit me therefore to assert a deserving: “Bravo, stout fellows! “ (and, of course, you too Jan )

Very well done.

However, I hope for the sake of your sanity it’s the only one in the consist (as our American cousin’s would say .

Fondest,

Jonte

Thank You, @jonte. Very kind. And thanks to you and everyone for their encouragement and support during this tricksy travail. I'll certainly pass on your kind words to the workforce. Once they've got rid of their hangovers...

There is another one; acquired in the same Lot from E. Bay, Esq. But we've shoved it into a dark corner in one of the arches between the Canal and the Turning Shop, in the hope that it will pass from our collective memory.. Or, we may just send it back from whence it came. In a Jiffy, but not - if you catch my drift.

All the best in your endeavours.

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

The Light Vantastic

A collection of coupés block the Blackwall viaduct at Limehouse this evening, awaiting the drop down into the Works. Six of 1/217 Ventilated Vans (VANFIT in the Diagram Book, But VANWIDE in common parlance). Sourced from The Usual Place, they come to us with rather more ventilation than designed, being light of rooves. And springs. And buffer heads. And brakes. But they did come with MJT rocking units, and all wheels to P4 profile. All for £20. So something of a BIN bargain.

Stores will be scoured, and a foray (weather permitting) across to Wells this Saturday will hopefully result in some of this ancillary - but oh so necessary - items being sourced. We hope.

Being basically sound, we don’t intend for these to be with us long; 5 will be Lot 3391/2 (axlebox differences, we think) and one will be to Lot 3421 (where are you, Ted Rodgers?) - fitted with a translucent polyester roof.

Our best to you all.

Jan

obo Watkins Wharf Wagon Works

 

[jonte]

As they say, Jan: better to have been born lucky than rich. I’m neither. What I perceive as a bargain usually ends up costing me more to put right.....

Well done.

I’ve been toying with Wells for some time but for some reason, it always seem to pass me by. I said to my wife only the other day that next year we’ll have to attend, making it part of an itinerary to pay long overdue visits to family members in Dorset and Devon. A night in Bath wouldn't go amiss either

This year’s line up looks particularly enticing, but no doubt there’ll be an equally exquisite line up to salivate over next year.

Let’s hope Im not saying the same next year.

Enjoy

Jonte

 

[NHY 581]

Wells is a lovely show and I have my shopping list drawn up, much to the Memsahib 's amusement.

Rob.

 

[Lyndhurstman]

As they say, Jan: better to have been born lucky than rich. I’m neither. What I perceive as a bargain usually ends up costing me more to put right.....

Well done.

I’ve been toying with Wells for some time but for some reason, it always seem to pass me by. I said to my wife only the other day that next year we’ll have to attend, making it part of an itinerary to pay long overdue visits to family members in Dorset and Devon. A night in Bath wouldn't go amiss either

This year’s line up looks particularly enticing, but no doubt there’ll be an equally exquisite line up to salivate over next year.

Let’s hope Im not saying the same next year.

Enjoy

Jonte

Hello Jonte,
I don’t think these will be cheap; what we do find in Stores will need replenishing, of course. But the VANWIDE is an interesting beast; no more the cupboard doors of old, but still 17’ 6” over headstocks. Amongst the last to be so.. And borne just as steam was being killed off in East Anglia...

Wells is a great little show. It’s well-known for its cramped contortions, but it is what it is. Fun, and full of fine modelling. It’s the only show I go to; Scaleforum in Aylesbury is a stretch too far, sadly. Really, it’s just an excuse to have a beer and banter with my mate @TimC. You should definitely try to make it one year; I’m sure we could find a pint with your name on it

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Wells is a lovely show and I have my shopping list drawn up, much to the Memsahib 's amusement.

Rob.

Hello Rob,
Our list is under preparation. But - given the wagon-based shenanigans alluded to here - focused heavily around Wizard and Dart Castings. And Eileen’s always has something useful.

Weather permitting, we’ll be there on Saturday.

Cheers

Jan

 

[NHY 581]

Morning Jan.

I've got into the habit of going on Sunday and meet up with a bunch of ne'er do wells from Devon, including that fella, Tim Maddocks.

I shall also be hovering about Wizard but see a visit to Modelu being particularly troublesome.


Rob.

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Supporting Cast

A smashing few hours at Wells yesterday; smashing to spend a few hours with @TimC, smashing to see Black Lion Crossing, and smashing my previous record for show spending - if you can’t get hold of Dart Castings for the foreseeable, it’s because they’re in warmer climes, reaping the benefit of my visit!

Anyhoo.. Here’s a VANWIDE. The previous builder had used rocking W Irons from a source I don’t recognise, and that were loathe to rock with springs fitted. This necessitated some tense and tight butchery with diamond files to get right. The T&TB was repeated on the non-compensated RCH box and spring (which may well be 4 leaf, rather than 5, but we’re talking thous of thickness in whitemetal here) to sit tight against the solebar. Already, things are getting away from us, time wise... But - having done it for this one - the next 5 will get something easier... and without fearful fettling of fragility...

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Clasped Closely

Low-level intimacy twixt surfaces. The VANWIDE gets a quartet of MJT 2952. A simple enough job, spread over a couple of evenings to let the Loctite cure. The simplicity is down to the canny MJT design, with its chamfered rear surface of the shoes, and the cut outs to straddle the compensating units. The holes have been drilled to accept some N/S rod - coming soon from Eileen’s (brain fade - or was it the Doom Bar? - at Wells made us forget to pick some up there). A small tweak with some snipe-nosed pliers gives the wheels their momentary freedom.

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Back Here Again
Sing Hosannah Upon The Highest! It’s Groundhog Day (or maybe Whippet Wednesday... who knows anymore?).

More lever guide liberties being taken here. The Bill Bedford unit (broken in bending, but luckily able to be resoldered) lurks behind the representation of the door trough. It supposed to sit in the channel of the solebar, but the moulding of the van floor sits about 0.5 mm up inside the edge of the van side - rather than flush with it - and thus the side will not allow retrospective placement of the guide. So we’ve fudged it, by scalpeling a guide-wide slot in the bottom of the solebar. You wouldn’t know it to look at it. We’re trying to finalise firm fixity in the region , as the bottom of the lever guide is not connected to the W-iron, and thus allowing the compensation unit to move as and when required.

Tiny steps, regularly taken. Along with our medication...

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

There’s Morton This Than I First Thought
Wide oh wide does this keep happening?

I bought these at Wells. Bill Bedford brake levers. A boon in rendering a similar shapely sinuosity. Mostly. But not as straightforward as I was hoping.

The cam is on the wrong side (the top). These levers are top actors, with the cam of the cross-shaft being beneath, viz;
BR Vanwides - vacuum brake VWV VMV ZDV ZRV VEV | B784641 VMV
So I’ll have to be a-fretting a sextuplet of new ones (I can file the cam off for the other - plainer - side). Unless anyone has any other suggestions?

Yours, in a crushed calumny

Jan

 

[jonte]

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Indeed. Small potatoes, but irksome with it. Just one, I could stand. But Arthur Dozun? Nope... if only I were CAD-savvy....

Cheers

Jan