7mm Millicent Street

[NHY 581]

Pretty much my thoughts on the subject too.

Given the lasting popularity of old British Motorcycles it is something I thought the likes of Oxford Diecast might have dipped the proverbial toe into (in the same way that Cararama and Schuco have with European bikes in 1/43 scale).

I did discuss the possibility of using 3D printing to create miniatures of British bikes with Modelu. He did indicate that they get asked for them regularly. However when I followed up with an email offering to help develop the idea and offering him unlimited access to our vintage bike collection he didn't even bother to reply!.

Shame as that could have meant the likes if FB Falcons, Matchless G8 & G12, AJS, Norton Dominator etc - even a BSA Dandy!

Hence I am playing about altering available overseas models at present.

I also raised the matter with Alan. Though I no longer run a 'Classic' I have enough chums who still do and could have arranged a scanning session of a few suitable examples.

But I think he had enough on his plate at the time..

 

[Purple-haze]

Rippers,I must take you to account on printing photos of my greenhouse and pretending its a model. On the subject of old bikes,my old RE meteor leaked oil through the porous ally chaincase but I loved that b******.

regards Rog

 

[Rippers]

Reacting to comments the dowdy army surplus green finish to the temporary fish and chip shop was more a 1940's/50's look.

Thus, after a degree of research it is now undergoing a 1960's style makeover...…...


Needs the signwriting adding and a degree of toning down as it I a bit too bright in the subdues hues of the layout at present.

 

[MartinWales]

So tacky and 50's! Superb!!

 

[Broad Sword]

Looking at those "waves", I'm feeling more than a little sick.

 

[MarkR]

Hi,

Super modelling, are you able to show a track plan?

Thank you.

Mark

 

[AJC]

Hi,

Super modelling, are you able to show a track plan?

Thank you.

Mark

If you take a glance at the first post, you may be rewarded with an overview of the track on boards...

Adam

 

[MarkR]

Hi Adam

Many thanks, I noticed that picture just after I posted my request for a track plan.

You are all creating an amazing layout, us it your plan to exhibit?

Mark

 

[Rippers]

You are all creating an amazing layout, us it your plan to exhibit?

Mark

Cheers, that is he plan but we will not be accepting invites until we can be sure both it (and us as operators) will be ready.

 

[Pencarrow]

I'm a fan of them too and agree that they are rarely seem modelled with any conviction.

If I were to model a Hull one it would definatly have to be a Coronation

Though the lack to road space (and the fact that this is a narrow back street area) really precludes the need for such a beastie (that wouldnt stop me building one sometime though) - no Hull ones survive but we have a museum dedicated to those others from around the country that do over the river which is worth visiting on open days.

There will be a few vehicles (done based on period street pictures we are currenty pouring through for inspiration). The area to be modelled isnt exactly a well-to-do area thus car ownership by residents wasnt exactly common at the period modelled. Those that can be seen (that obviously belonged to locals rather than visitors) were often aged or even pre-war whereas Motorcycle and sidecars seemed more common!

Plus finding true 1/43 scale vehicles isnt the easiest as a lot of models usually seen on 7mm layouts are 1/48 or 1/50 (he says holding his hand up to doing just that on Hospital Gates!). Though we are dicovering the possibilities hidden in overseas partworks.

I have been considering the offerings in overseas partworks such as the French series based on the vehicles that apeared in the 'Tintin' books which offer some exotics, Jaguars etc but also the more run of the mill Morris 6, Triumph Herald, BMC (MG) 1100 and Ford Zephyr taxi! (RH drive too).
The Herald also pops up in another series (the Blake et Mortimer books - nope new one on me too!) plus the likes of an A95 Atlantic - on top of which on a whim I recently aquired a rather splendid Austin Cambridge in Teal Blue over Cream sold as a British tourists car in the 'Le Route Bleu' series! for evaluation. Probably not suitable for want I want but it is a nice model!
View attachment 32902
Going larger a Thames lorry (NW Gas), Bedford TJ coal lory and WW2 Bedford OW (in RAF and Desert yellow) can also be had as parts of similar works.

I pays to research outside of the local market I guess!

Apologies for dregging up an old post but could you give more details on the sources you've found for true scale 1:43 road vehicles covering the 50s and early 60s? Much appreciated.

 

[Alan]

I too would find that information useful.

 

[Purple-haze]

Also,did you get to show any of the work in progress as part of the city of culture celebrations?

Rog

 

[Rippers]

Sometimes you have to take a step back and be prepared to undo work in the interest of the overall finished model.
Though not actually wrong (photo of similarly updated chips shops exist), the jazzy 1960's was less 'Backstreet Hull' and more 'Bridlington Seafront' and as such, to me when I considered it. The new finish jarred with the overall look of the layout.

Thus I have dialled it back a bit, eradicated the blue waves and gone with a more typical left over from the 1950's and seen better days look...…….and yes there is a small window missing in the pictures...…….it pinged off into that area of the room known as infinity at the point I was fitting it!

 

[Rippers]

Also,did you get to show any of the work in progress as part of the city of culture celebrations?

Rog

Sadly no. This layout in its original form was intended as an educational piece to show life in a typical area of the city 50 year prior to the Hull COC year. (It would have had ambient sounds, photos displays etc). However such things weren't even considered as part of what was wanted (the displays that were held were mainly out of area performers brought in and very little of the area actual history).

Hence the delay and the fact that we have altered the intention of the finished model.

 

[Rippers]

Apologies for dregging up an old post but could you give more details on the sources you've found for true scale 1:43 road vehicles covering the 50s and early 60s? Much appreciated.

No problem. Though the situation regarding the availability of good 1/43 scale road vehicles is steadily improving courtesy of the likes of Oxford Diecast. There are other options out there (including for more run of the mill stuff if you are prepared to search for it).

Though the motorcycles I am currently experimenting with are either Cararama or Shucco Piccolo models. Other vehicles have come to me via Partworks (many not intended for the UK - but available though specialist diecast dealers, toyfairs or Ebay and likely made by the likes IXO so are generally to a high standard). I tend to keep an eye on the Partwork forums to see what is out there or coming out and then look out for the models I might want.

Take this Mog for example. 1/43 scale, captures the look and shape really well. Diecast and plastic construction with plenty of separate detailing parts (and seemingly larger than the one lump Corgi version often referred to as 1/43).

Couple of small issues if like me you know the vehicles really well but nothing that couldnt be corrected. Some interesting oversights too - like its RHD but has pedals in the left hand footwell and a mirror n the LHS only!. (suggesting it was scaled form a LHD prototype and altered!).

I have old seen this model issued once so far (in a European set of Police Vehicles of the world) and completely different form the Police set issued here which were old Corgi/Vanguard castings. I picked a few up for around 12 quid each!.

You can find similar detail Ford Anglias, Consuls, Trumph Herald, A35 .even a S3 Morris Oxford. if you look. Plus some buses, trucks and even an Mini Wildgoose camper!

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Thus I have dialled it back a bit, eradicated the blue waves and gone with a more typical left over from the 1950's and seen better days look...…….and yes there is a small window missing in the pictures...…….it pinged off into that area of the room known as infinity at the point I was fitting it!

I'd leave the pane missing or board it up.

No problem. Though the situation regarding the availability of good 1/43 scale road vehicles is steadily improving courtesy of the likes of Oxford Diecast. There are other options out there (including for more run of the mill stuff if you are prepared to search for it).

The same cannot be said for figures though - I'm modelling the 1967-68 period and there is a dearth of suitable 1/43 figures. Plenty if you're modelling the 30's through to the early 60's though.

It's also making sure you have the correct vehicle model for the period - I couldn't have a Mk3 mini on a 1968 layout.... as they were introduced in 1969. Those knowledgeable about vehicles will spot this in the same manner as railway modellers about rolling stock etc....!

 

[Rippers]

Those knowledgeable about vehicles will spot this in the same manner as railway modellers about rolling stock etc....!

Same with many details...

Lost count of the times my wife has spotted cattle breeds on layouts that didn't exist in this country at the time they were set.

………..research has to be all encompassing!

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

………..research has to be all encompassing!

It certainly does - which is why I enjoy the Millicent Street saga. Attention to detail in all areas .

 

[Rippers]

A bit more messing about and aside from adding the chimney for the fryers all is done...….

Well, I am sure I will find something to change !

Last job is likely to be the addition of a queue outside consisting of 3D scanned figures of the layouts builders!

 

[Neil]

... Last job is likely to be the addition of a queue outside consisting of 3D scanned figures of the layouts builders!

If you're going for a proper queue how about these one time Hull residents. Could have fun with others, Philip Larkin, Prescott (Jag parked at the kerb), Maureen Lipman, Lillian Bilocca, Alan Johnson etc.