7mmMick
Western Thunderer
Well this is a first for me, a thread in the WR Section of WT. I'm usually confined to Area 51 
For the upcoming re-release of some of the Martin Finney GWR range I volunteered myself to construct one of his 51XX Large Prairie tanks. I do like the look of these big tank engines and after the M7 i'm really looking forward to this. So firstly to a little research; I have no knowledge of the prototype, it's provence or working life so I have relied heavily on @SimonT for this and he has been great help. He has sent me a number of photo's and from them I have chosen 6144 as me chosen loco. The period will be early 60's BR, probably plain green I think. Simon also sign posted me to @Brian Daniels Fliker thread 61xx Details and this has been brilliant to work from.
So to the kit, unfortunately I can't post a 'what's in the box' as this kit is constructed from spare etch and castings cobbled together from the little stock we have. However I can promise that the etches, in the main and castings are of the usual expected Finney top quality. I say in the main as we are currently working on upgrades to the frames of the loco. There are a number of etched parts on the frames, cylinder/slide bar assembly etc that make up to a lovely representation of the prototype but are of their time. We feel that todays manufacturing techniques can better represent these parts in a cast form. So with that in mind the frames of the loco are being upgraded to bring them up to date and mirror the quality of the body.
Ok so i've built it up, I only hope I can do the kit justice with my build....
Because of the ongoing casting upgrade work I've made a start on the body. Firstly you're taken down the route of the boiler. It's a while since I've rolled a taper but the way the kit is designed makes this straight forward really. The firebox top is made on a N/S lamination, which is hefty.
The front is this depth to allow you to round the corners afterwards. I've yet to tackle this.
The brass cladding is rolled in a taper around the former with a handy nick in the etch to align it centrally. Next the smoke box, which is a straight forward parallel role, again around formers. The usual Finney method of joining the cladding is utilised, which again makes it;s a simple affair. I've yet to add the bolt detail on the brackets;
Finally the boiler centre, this is a taper role and takes a little time but goes together well. The washout plugs come etched as part of the cladding but the kit gives you the option of drilling these out and fitting a further etch underneath. I went for this option as I think it really lifts the look and when examining Brian's pictures it is closer to the real thing. Firstly, boiler drilled ready to tidy up and fit then wash out plug etch;
Finally the three sections, the wash out plugs are seen fitted just behind the smoke box;
The last main part for the boiler is the N/S smokebox front/door. Yet to be fitted but you get the idea;
Next the footplate, before I go further with the boiler,
Mick
For the upcoming re-release of some of the Martin Finney GWR range I volunteered myself to construct one of his 51XX Large Prairie tanks. I do like the look of these big tank engines and after the M7 i'm really looking forward to this. So firstly to a little research; I have no knowledge of the prototype, it's provence or working life so I have relied heavily on @SimonT for this and he has been great help. He has sent me a number of photo's and from them I have chosen 6144 as me chosen loco. The period will be early 60's BR, probably plain green I think. Simon also sign posted me to @Brian Daniels Fliker thread 61xx Details and this has been brilliant to work from.
So to the kit, unfortunately I can't post a 'what's in the box' as this kit is constructed from spare etch and castings cobbled together from the little stock we have. However I can promise that the etches, in the main and castings are of the usual expected Finney top quality. I say in the main as we are currently working on upgrades to the frames of the loco. There are a number of etched parts on the frames, cylinder/slide bar assembly etc that make up to a lovely representation of the prototype but are of their time. We feel that todays manufacturing techniques can better represent these parts in a cast form. So with that in mind the frames of the loco are being upgraded to bring them up to date and mirror the quality of the body.
Ok so i've built it up, I only hope I can do the kit justice with my build....
Because of the ongoing casting upgrade work I've made a start on the body. Firstly you're taken down the route of the boiler. It's a while since I've rolled a taper but the way the kit is designed makes this straight forward really. The firebox top is made on a N/S lamination, which is hefty.
The front is this depth to allow you to round the corners afterwards. I've yet to tackle this.
The brass cladding is rolled in a taper around the former with a handy nick in the etch to align it centrally. Next the smoke box, which is a straight forward parallel role, again around formers. The usual Finney method of joining the cladding is utilised, which again makes it;s a simple affair. I've yet to add the bolt detail on the brackets;
Finally the boiler centre, this is a taper role and takes a little time but goes together well. The washout plugs come etched as part of the cladding but the kit gives you the option of drilling these out and fitting a further etch underneath. I went for this option as I think it really lifts the look and when examining Brian's pictures it is closer to the real thing. Firstly, boiler drilled ready to tidy up and fit then wash out plug etch;
Finally the three sections, the wash out plugs are seen fitted just behind the smoke box;
The last main part for the boiler is the N/S smokebox front/door. Yet to be fitted but you get the idea;
Next the footplate, before I go further with the boiler,
Mick
Here's a crop of my new rivet pattern;
Final bit on the footplate structure is the valance joggle, again not noticeable straight away. This is a weak point in the etch and the instructions suggest strengthening with scrap etch. I used some flat brass strip from stock, which is much neater i think;
There's a rivet detail overlay and a number of small parts that try and ping off when you're fitting something else. Glad it's all done now as at times it tried my patience. All there is to do around this area now is to fit the castings but I will do this later when the tank is fitted;
