Keith's workbench.

Hi Paul.
If I can, I intend to use the Hornby motor bogie, (which has the can motor), in the Lima chassis if I can't or don't fancy chopping the Hornby chassis about, although I've not really looked at this yet to see if it's do-able. Doesn't look like I'll get any time on this project today as SWMBO has commandeered me for 'domestic duties' (for that, read "early spring cleaning!!!")

Ian, it looks as if white metal kitbuilding could be a contagious disease with no known antidote except to give in. Is the included motor bogie the MTK one that (I think) SR Man warned not to use???
Keith.

 

I anticipated there might be a bit of 'cut n' shut' needed to fit the MTK body onto the Hornby chassis, and this indeed proved to be the case, although it didn't turn out to be too drastic as can be seen from this pic. I had to cut off each chassis end to remove buffer beams (these are part of the metal cab ends anyway, so no problems there) having removed the cab interior mouldings. These will likely also have to be modified at a later date, but I've put these aside for now. The only other chassis modification needed was to remove a section of each side to clear the metal box in the middle of the body, and then the body fits without difficulty, although at this stage, I've not worked out how I'll secure chassis to body.

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This shows another view of the chopped chassis.

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As can be seen, body fits onto chassis quite snugly.

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This view of the underside shows it's not too bad a fit, body to chassis.

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So now it's onto the messy bit, mixing and applying the Milliput filler putty. This pic (not a pretty sight!) shows how much filler has to be used to try and blend the cab roofs to the middle roof sections. Lets just say that "there are some discrepancies in the moulds" (manufacturers tolerances perhaps!!!) and leave it at that! I'll give it 24 hours to set, but wouldn't be surprised if a second application of Milliput is needed to blend the sections after initial sanding. I may not need any weights in the chassis due to the metal as opposed to plastic body, it's quite a solid lump!
Keith.

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Although not near the 'finishing post' yet, I intend painting the model in Pullman livery, 73101 "The Royal Alex", so just ordered the full Pullman decals set and etched nameplates from Fox Transfers. I already have a remotored Lima Class 73 "Brighton Evening Argus" which had some paint alterations a while back (the Lima body's 'cream' didn't match the Hornby Pullman coach cream, so it got a 'respray'!), - a matched pair of loco's should look quite good, maybe even as a 'double-header. I'm hoping there will be sufficient room to refit the cab interior mouldings at each end (motor bogie end might be a tight fit!), and the Lima one has cab and directional headlights so got to try and incorporate those 'add-ons' to the MTK body too.......could be a lot of headscratching yet to come..
Keith.

 

paul_l wrote:

Paul

PS I have a Newcast V2 Green Arrow kit sitting in the rainey day box, it just hasn't rained enough yet - and I live in Scotland
[/quote]

Spotted one of these Nucast V2 kits on Ebay presently, currently at around £120, so not a cheap option!
Keith.

 

This morning, now the Milliput has hardened, I set to with the 'wet and dry' paper and got the body to a reasonable state, although there are one or two 'nibbles' that still need attention. Remembering my early days of running old bangers and repairing car bodywork, after an initial filling and sanding, it was always easier to see any blemishes I'd missed, if I gave the repair a coat of primer so the imperfections showed up. That being the case, I did the same with the model, and as you can see in the pic, there's a mark in the casting near one of the 'side grilles', so when the primers hardened, a bit more filling and fettling will be needed.
Keith.

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After a second round of filling, fettling and re-primering, it's now masked up ready for the roof airbrushing with Off-White, as I'm informed that the light colours should be applied first. Second will be the Pullman Cream and finally Pullman Umber. My Fox transfers arrived today, and after a trip into Chesterfield, I have the remaining paints.....all I need now is the time!

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I felt that 'Off White' would be right for the roof, so after a couple of coats with the airbrush, it looked OK.

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I anticipated that, when dry, the roof would look a good deal less 'cream' than it did. Comparison with my Lima Class 73 showed it was miles away from correct.....Grrrrr!
Hornby/Humbrol "Off White" is nearer to the "Pullman Cream" than White, so that's got to go! Fortunately I have several other White/Satin White paints, so back to the airbrush (again!).

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