This little gem has been out for a week or so now but the forum has been silent on it: I thought I'd start a discussion........
There has been quite detailed review in the big place already, and photos also. Available in half-cab and full-cab versions, it faithfully captures the appearance of the original and is a welcome addition to my LMS stud.
Unfortunately however, the LMS half-cab version - the most attractive one I think - is yet to be released: if you want one, you'll have to wait [or do what I did]. The half-cab I bought was prepared in BR early livery and so required attention to back-date it appropriately. This has been done by others already, and there are photos on RMWeb showing the results. I decided that I'd do this some months back however [when the versions were announced] and so this isn't just a straight copycat project. I am grateful though to the RMWeb contributor for showing a model modified with irons to hold the canvass weather screens in place: I'd wondered how they were placed.
This must be one of the easiest projects imaginable: simply remove the BR emblem and cab-side / fire-box numbers and replace with LMS transfers. If you wanted, you could simply spray out the BR livery with Halfords' Matt Black, it's a near-perfect match. However, if you do do that, you'll still have the originals visible in very light relief under the paint - so I'd opt for removal.
I lifted the BR emblem with IPA on one side and Micro Sol on the other, out of curiosity to see which was the more efficient. IPA made quick work of it, applied with a cotton bud and rubbed to lift it. However, IPA also left a milky white residue which would not polish out and a quick respray was then necessary - easy and not a problem to mask up the side tank. Micro Sol was slower, and required more rubbing, but it lifted the emblem with no residue showing, although the area was extremely shiny as a consequence - so another mask and spray.
The transfers used are Pressfix LMS gold coach and loco and the livery is 1923-28. They were applied easily enough although the sheet I used seemed to have a super-abundance of tacky glue and removing the residue from around the numbers was tiresome. I am fairly certain that the power classification would not have been applied at that time, but I have left it in place. I am also sure that the shed code is incorrect for the number but that, too, will remain.
The model still requires a flash of matt varnish to seal the transfers, the front pipes need fixing in place, smoke-box numbers applying, coal for the bunker and a crew [carefully placed, two will just fit]. I'll also fabricate a framework for the tarpaulin weather sheet [which needs a little toning down]. I'll not be able to complete it for a week or two however so some photos to show the general appearance to date are posted below.
The cab detailing is excellent and it runs beautifully: it will probably spend its life propelling the recently released inspection saloon.
Tony
Men with false teeth may yet speak the truth.......
