I started and completed this excellent kit in the Autumn last year. It was a long service gift from my retirement back in 2013. I only ever completed one 48XX way back in the 1970`s from a Kay`s 4mm whitemetal kit. and the only 4mm etched version was produced by Perseverance which i never completed. The kit is very well engineered and is all nickel silver and lost wax construction. The chassis and body are all tab and slot assembly and by twisting the tabs it can all be assembled with the very minimum of soldering. the chassis is an absolute doddle to make and has cleverly designed compensation beams for the main drivers and a rocking assembly for the rear `bogie` wheels. The brass bearings and hornguides a easy to assemble you just need to follow the excellent instructions and indentify the two front assemblies There is very very little fettling required Next was the soldering up of the coupling rods and assembly for a dry run. I still prefer to use the very simple coupling rod axle jigs to make sure the hornblocks are absolutely square and accurate. ( although in actual fact this kit is so good everything will line up if you take your time) Once this stage is completed it`s just a case of fitting all the chassis detailing...... I prefer to to use Clostermans black etch primer before final assembly as it saves having to apply another coat of black paint. I then prefer to use chemical blackening using the Birchwoodcsey products on wheels and axles etc...... sealed with Electrofix... Then I enjoy the final chassis assembly. I used Slaters sprung pickups. Next installment ....the body.....
Hi Rosspop and welcome from another scrach builder in 7mm, that's a cracking good interesting thread you've started so I pressed the follow button, its great to see these 7mm builds on here and I'm sure some of the other 7mm chaps will follow your work too. A few of us are off to the York show this weekend so it may be a bit quite right now... enjoy the silence while you can. so nice to chat again soon. Cheers for now York Paul
AS already mentioned, everything is initially assembled with tabs thru slots and can be held together this way until ready for minimal soldering. Nickel silver is so much easier to solder than brass..... The heavy boiler needs extra heat source using a flame torch..... Then it`s just a case of adding the detailing which is more important in 7mm scale..... The kit is supplied with full cab detailing and is a joy to solder together Again I used Clostermans black etch primer with a light first coat of Humbrol green to show up ant blemishes..... Then I used Phoenix precision enamel paints for final 1930`s livery..... I modelled the early push-pull buffer beam fittings Hear she is undergoing DC trials before adding DCC sound...... If any of you are Digital Readers of British Railway Modelling you will hear her in action in the Spring edition on my layout Churchill Halt
Very nice John, Sadly the only way I will get to build one of these is if someone commissions me to do one.
