WORK IN PROGRESS

Unfortunatly because I have a crap camera the photos I took of this model during assembly are useless so the only offering I have is the finished item.

Not to be detered I will endeavour to describe the assembly from notes taken at the time in an effort that you can picture it in your minds eye.

STEP 1

Carefully open the pack and layout all the components and check against the parts list. In the case of this model both sets of wheels were missing and an important part of one of the tension lock couplings. -not to worry this kit was bought as a practice run anyway but I will not be mail ordering kits from Antics again.A quick trip to hobbycraft produced 10 sets of wheels and a couple of extra pots of paint.

Step 2.

Perhaps now I can start building the thing after determining which if any parts need painting before the glueing begins. I decided to paint all of the lower running gear, sole bars and the underside of the floor. With all the parts separated from the moulding frame I set about cleaning all the excess plastic off with a craft knife and smoothing it with a needle file.  Would have had a nice picture but this will have to do.

Step 3.

Actually started gluing in this step. But not before making sure that the parts with their extra weight of paint fit together snugly. With everything ok I glued one solebar in place and allowed to set. When the glue had dried and as per the instuctions I stuck the 4 brake shoes to the back of the sole bar in front of one spring mount and behind the other spring mount on both ends of the chassis.(Very fiddly but well worth the effort as the picture above shows) I then did exactly the same on the other side of the chassis and when all was set carefully inserted the wheels into the bearing housing

Step 4

I now had a rolling chassis to which I glued one side of the van making sure that the wall was perpendicular to the floor by using a set square out of my sons geometry set (again another photo was taken at this stage but to no avail) When set the other side wall was glued in place and while still a bit loose I fitted the end panels squaring everything up to the first side wall with the aforementioned set square.

Step 5.

 The roof went on no problem. Not much else to say in this step.

Step 6

Next to be fitted were the side steps, platform and guard rails on each end. The guard rails posing the greatest problem. This was overcome by “rack o’teye and twist o’gob” to ensure a straight rail.  

Step 7

The doors were simplicity itself. Careful filing of the doors ensured a snug fit. the hinge brackets were fitted to the doors and hinge rods inserted. I have glued everything in place as this is not meant to be a working model but acurate fitting of the hinge rods on this model would make the doors able to swing open and closed.  

All that remained was to fit the buffers and couplings and paint the upper body. It was at this point that I wished I had painted the buffers , steps, platform, and guard rail. especially the guard rail as I wanted it black and yellow. I overcame but am not really happy with the result. The absolute finishing touch will be very special private owner decals (CUMBERLAND MEAT PACKERS Ltd) This is now made possible with the availability of water slide transfer paper for the inkjet printer. Keep checking back here to find out how I got on with it (only ordered 5 sheets)

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