A bit of a How To on making van roofs removable. With some scrap etch mark it and cut it to the profile of the roof Once you have as many as you need - in this particular case (an ex GCR CCT) I needed three but usually you only need two. Clip them to each end Then solder some strips of scrap etch in between them to create a framework that sits inside the ends. Bend your roof to shape Then solder the frame to the underside of the roof and you have a roof that's removable. You will note that I added a strip at each end and in the middle where the former was going to fit? This was because the roof appeared much thicker in the photo that I was using so I beefed it up a bit.
Brilliant Rob - you can also add a few neodymium magnets glued to the roof and horizontal side tops to help keep them in place. Paul
I may well use this method on the "Crownline" BR/SR "W" Class 2-6-4 tank loco I'm currently working on. I want to paint internally and add crew to the cab, which I won't be able to do if I solder the roof on first as per the instructions. I started this a few days ago just to pass the time due to the snow stopping me from going out, and got somewhat carried away, having built and painted the chassis, virtually completed the body and boiler and first primer coat sprayed, without taking a single pic of the build!. It's a composite kit, brass body/chassis, white metal detail components and resin boiler casting, but I've now reached the stage where I have motor/gearbox on order from 'High Level Kits" and wheelset ordered from "Markits", so I doubt any more progress on this will take place before the end of this month! Body kit for the GWR Gas Turbine loco from "Silver Fox" is on it's way though, so hopefully I won't be idle for long! Keith.