Gladiator 7mm Duchess

[P A D]

Hi JB,
If I were you I wouldn't be too concerned as it looks more than acceptable. In fact looking at the clip of 67742 taken from Yeadon's, I would say yours may be closer than mine, as the middle part of the curve on mine is too sharp in radius. By the way did you line yours with transfers or with drawing pen and spring bow?


Where we have both gone wrong (and I only noticed at the lining stage), is that the hand rail under the cab windows is too low. It should be closer to the windows but like you, I put is where the holes were etched in the side. So the horizontal lining under the rail has the correct relationship to the rail on yours, but on mine it is too close. However mine has a better relation to the bottom of the windows as I set it closer to the rail, so the gap down to the lower horizontal line would be nearer the prototype. So we are both wrong. The thing is not to get too "anal" about these minor errors as we have both made excellent models from the kit.

Or should we both get the cellulose thinners out?

Cheers,
Peter

 

[P A D]

I had a quiet spell this afternoon workwise, so I was able to get on with some airbrushing and weathering on the L1. Here's where it' at now.

Just about done now.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[P A D]

A slight digression from the 4MT as Warren Haywood has finished painting and lining my Duchess. I've got it all back together apart from adding the glazing to the the cinder guards.






And some
shots on my brother's railway.






Fantastic job Warren.
Many thanks.
Peter

 

[adrian]

Fantastic job Warren.

Simply stunning - as you say a fantastic paint finish but only possible with the quality of the build.

I'd be more than happy with it but one tiny query - if you don't mind me asking where did you source the smokebox door number plate from? The problem is the rest of the loco looks so good that the smoke box door looks a little - how can I say it - a little bit on the weedy side and lets it down a little.

The following is cropped from the following site The Royal Duchy – Duchess of Sutherland 28/08/16

For me the numbers at the front just need a little more "presence".

 

[warren haywood]

From Severnmill Adrian, so knowing Chris they will be correct for the period.
Not sure about DOS in preservation, maybe the numberplate is incorrect on the real one or the photo could be overexposed

 

[P A D]

Hi Adrian,
Came in the set from Severn Mill. Supposed to be the dogs bollacks. Maybe the numbers they need picking out in white?
Cheers,
Peter

 

[adrian]

Not sure about DOS in preservation, maybe the numberplate is incorrect on the real one or the photo could be overexposed

I don't think the photo is over exposed but yes could be pre-preservation version as it doesn't have the "SC" designation either. However it's not easy to find a pre-presevation photo on t'internet. This was the best I could do quickly 4-6-2 LOCOMOTIVES - Paul Johnson and I still think the numbers are a little "weedy". Unless someone else can find a better photo.

 

[mickoo]

I can see the difference, another possible answer is in the painting of the real one.

On the model we only paint the face, on the real ones they paint the face and the raised edge, from oblique angles this will make the number look bigger. Face on they are probably the same but painting the number edge in 7mm would be near impossible.

Oh, and a very nice build BTW

MD

 

[Genghis]

Magic!

Must crack on with the replacement firebox. The latest attempt is dimensionally correct but severely lacking in quality on the detail front. A revised version will be on its way to the casters before Telford.

David

 

[Dan Randall]

I can see the difference, another possible answer is in the painting of the real one.

On the model we only paint the face, on the real ones they paint the face and the raised edge, from oblique angles this will make the number look bigger. Face on they are probably the same but painting the number edge in 7mm would be near impossible.

MD

A good point Mick and something I'd never even considered!

It's a cracking build and paint job though - well done P A D and Warren.


Regards

Dan

 

[mickoo]

Best picture I can find digitally (can't check books until I get home) is this one, no idea of the source origin.



Looking at other engines there does seem to be a small variation in number sizes, could be painted edges or different plates, though I think that's unlikely and it's just a case of clean and dirty.

 

[oldravendale]

Here's a few from my collection - but not my copyright so please treat with respect. They are here for the purposes of research. I have many more if required.

Brian

 

[mickoo]

Well for me the first one clearly shows two types of smokebox number plate, either by painting or casting but there is a distinct difference.

 

[P A D]

Thanks to all for the positive comment. As to the number plate, despite some valid discussion points, looking at it in the flesh, I'm more than happy with it. I'll be on holiday during Telford, but will be dropping the model back to Warren later in the week, so go and have a look on his stand and then decide.

It's a good kit even with the faulty firebox, which I have shown can be overcome relatively easily. It will be even better when David has the replacement firebox sorted, but for the money, in my opinion, it's the best option available if you can't afford the Finney 7.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[Cliff Williams]

I used Diane Carney plates on 46245 which I think look slightly chunkier. I don't think you can get them anymore sadly.
Picture courtesy Nigel Burkin/BRM

 

[P A D]

Hi Cliff,
Very nice. One of your Finney builds I assume. I'm not sure if there is much to choose between the numbers plates. It could be that the white painted numerals show up differently to the stainless steel ones???


Anyway, I have added the glazing to the cinder guards to finish things off .


And gave the floorboards in the cab a dirty wash over to tone them down. By the way, any deficiencies in the cab/back plate paintwork are mine not Warren's.




Cheers,
Peter

 

[Cliff Williams]

Hi Peter,
Yes this was the first of a trio of Finney builds, 46245, 6231 and 46229.
If I recall correctly for this one I painted the smoke box number plate white then ran in a couple of diluted coats of humbrol 85.
46229 has returned to shed after long “holiday” in Somerset, it was nice to have it return for good recently, I must get some decent pics of the three together.

I must say your MOK BR STD build is stunning, I would love to get round to one like that.

Cliff

 

[P A D]

Hi Peter,
Yes this was the first of a trio of Finney builds, 46245, 6231 and 46229.
If I recall correctly for this one I painted the smoke box number plate white then ran in a couple of diluted coats of humbrol 85.
46229 has returned to shed after long “holiday” in Somerset, it was nice to have it return for good recently, I must get some decent pics of the three together.

I must say your MOK BR STD build is stunning, I would love to get round to one like that.

Cliff

Hi Cliff,
Thanks for the compliment on the 4MT. It's a fantastic kit and from what I've seen of your work, mine might come in second best.

Your article on the Duchess in the Gazette some years ago was another inspirational build. I hope to have one in the future and luckily my brother keeps all his Gazettes, so I'll be digging out your article to see what I can gleam from it. I recall that you did some nifty soldering of the cast WM coal pusher to the brass bunker plate. Very impressive.

Next up I have the Finney 7 A4 which of course has much in common with the A3 which I built earlier. However, it will be my first experience of the Finney resin casting. I've only looked at it briefly, but it does look impressive.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[Overseer]

Lovely Duchess. Comparing the model and prototype photos I think the issue with the front number plate is just that the model plate has a fraction too much blank plate below the numerals. If it is possible to take the plate off a couple of minutes with a file would sort it out. And also paint the 'bolts' black.

 

[Cliff Williams]

You could be right - I usually whack a bit off top and bottom on the Severn Mill nameplates trueing them up now you mention it. 46521 needs doing having sat for a year coming back from Warren, it has the plates to fit.