A Knightwing job (aka, my first kit bash!)... January 2021

Discussion in 'Kits, Kit bashes & Scratch builds' started by David Hennessey, Jan 14, 2021.

  1. David Hennessey

    David Hennessey Full Member

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    Hello once again, all at Platform 1 MRC, and a belated happy new year to you all.

    I've been up to a fair bit of modelling in my absence, and one of those projects included my first ever kit bash, which I am about to describe to you. It merely involves a Knightwing 0-4-0 freelance industrial diesel shunter kit in 00 scale, converted to run in 009 using a Kato 109 chassis and plasticard. Here's how I went about the process

    (Advance apologies are offered in advance for the poor quality, of some of the photos; due to problems with my laptop, normal photography with the camera wasn't always possible, so the Iphone kindly stood in. Otherwise, enjoy!)

    The first thing to do was to measure and cut the main body of the loco, in order for it to fit over the chassis and the framework. About half of the body was trimmed, to give a convincing fit. Next came the creation of the framework, using the 0.5mm (or thereabouts) plasticard I had conveniently lying around. Measured accordingly, the frame was cut out. At the same time, a hole was made in the middle to enable the chassis to fit through.

    Here's how it looked, during the dry run.

    [​IMG]


    With the body in satisfactory order, work continued on the frames with the addition of buffer beams. At the same time, some early detailing was added. These included fitting headlights, hand rails on the body sides, wire hand rails fashioned and glued on the cab sides, a horn on the right hand side of the loco, two headlights glued on the back of the cab, and an exhaust pipe made out of one of the 'standard gauge' axles.

    [​IMG]


    On the framework, side plates were added in order to conceal the chassis. Details were added to this as well; front steps made out of plasticard and a chopped matchstick, and random components from the Knightwing kit being utilised and incorporated. These included the rear steps, brake cylinder and battery box. Brake pipes from another kit were also used.

    [​IMG]


    By way of detailing the cab interior, a false floor was fashioned out of plasticard and glued into place. The control panel was modified to bring it in line with the cab, as close as possible.

    With most of the parts in place, it was off to the paint shop with the body and frames, for their coat of dark grey primer. White was chosen for the headlights, cab interior and control panel detail, yellow for the front bonnet and cab rear, and black for the radiator grilles.

    [​IMG]


    It was decided to put the loco into BR blue (1968-1985) livery, with the buffer beams in red.

    [​IMG]


    Completing the cab interior detail, a seated driver from the Bachmann range was found.

    [​IMG]


    Liquid lead was glued underneath the body and cab roof, to make it weigh adequately on the chassis and provided firm traction. Applying the lead under the cab roof however, made such a mess of the windows that they all had to be subsequently replaced.

    [​IMG]


    To finish the body, BR 'double arrow' decals from Fox Transfers were added to the cabsides.

    [​IMG]


    As of 14/01/2021, total completion is nearing its end, with the addition of 'Penrhyn Quarry' style buffers from RT Models. The chassis has yet to be thoroughly tested and run in before being glued to the body. But as the ads for British Rail once said,

    "We're getting there."

    [​IMG]


    Not bad for my first ever kit bash (having been in the hobby for many years and never attempting such a challenge), but I'll let you be the judge. Many lessons along the way are to be learned from of course, but on the whole, I'm absolutely pleased with how it turned out. Now, what next I wonder? An eight wheeled version, perhaps?

    Comments welcome as always.
     
    Matt likes this.
  2. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    That's actually really cool!

    I built something similar myself several years ago. Maybe I should repaint it into BR Blue :scratchchin:
     
    David Hennessey likes this.
  3. David Hennessey

    David Hennessey Full Member

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    Thanks Matt!
     
  4. David Hennessey

    David Hennessey Full Member

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    Fablewood’s Knightwing kit-bash finally goes into action, with some smooth running from the Kato 109 chassis. Here’s a short video of the trial runs (both light engine, and loaded):

     
    jakesdad13 likes this.

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