Heather's stuff

[Heather Kay]

I was asked to post some examples of my modelling. Some of these are commissioned work, some are personal models. This bunch is 7mm scale, S7 standards.

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[Heather Kay]

And some more. I'll post some other scales, layout images and other types of models (mods permitting) in due course.

 

[BrushType4]

Heather,

Welcome to the forum. I've seen some of your work close up and you model to a very high quality. I think we all would like to see pictures of your modelling during the build phases as much as the gorgeous pictures of the finished articles.

 

[Heather Kay]

I have got some progress shots of the Mk1s. I'll dig them out and post them later. =o)

 

[Heather Kay]

Here are some 7mm scale commercial vehicles from kits. The AEC is from Classic Commercials with some detail additions and corrections; the Fordson is an elderly Phoenix kit.

 

[Heather Kay]

Finally for today some "in progress" shots of the Mk1 SKs under construction.


Modding the dynamos with a representation of the wiring loom and the safety chain.


Toilet header filler pipes and overflow strips.


Toilet end detailing.

Coach lighting vestibule switch conduit and commode handles.


Interior finish and vestibule end panel addition.

Fitting the toilet compartments.

Toilet compartment veneer finish, unvarnished on the left.

Painting and lining. Phoenix Precision enamels airbrushed for the body colour, matt white enamel via a Bob Moore lining pen for the white strip. You can't see it here, but there are the little clear visibility patches in the top section of the toilet compartment window.

 

[Neil]

Finally for today some "in progress" shots of the Mk1 SKs under construction. ... ... Modding the dynamos with a representation of the wiring loom and the safety chain. ....

Ah memories, the job that stuck in my mind the most from my apprenticeship was removing dynamos from under a Mk1. Disconnect the wires, loose off the nuts on the tensioning bar, off with the belt and under with a pallet on the business end of a fork lift. Then the split pins were drifted out of each end of the bar the dynamo was hung off before said bar was brayed out with a sledge and the biggest drift I've ever seen. You'd earned your dinnertime pints after a morning of this.

 

[Heather Kay]

Ah memories.

Thanks Neil! I love all these memories from people who actually worked on the real thing. My other half served his apprenticeship at Wolverton Works in the 1950s, and I have to say his memories of some details have been invaluable.

 

[Scale7JB]

Very nice Heather..

Have to ask though, is there a method for the veneer?

Would be more than suitable for teak which a couple of my coaches need..

Thankyou..

JB.

 

[Heather Kay]

Have to ask though, is there a method for the veneer?

I've not done exterior scumble, but for the interior I do this:

1. Base coat of matt enamel (usually an earth tone/pale brown) and let it dry thoroughly.
2. With a darker brown tone, use a wide flat brush to dry brush the grain. Always work in one direction on each panel, and don't try to overdo it - as dry as possible to just show a hint of colour. Let it dry thoroughly.
3. Satin (or gloss if preferred) varnish to give a depth to the colour.

You need to mix up or match colours to the effect you're trying to create. It keeps me happily occupied for some time, usually plugged into some podcasts or something on the radio. =o)

 

[Scale7JB]

Thanks Heather, nice and simple, I shall give it a go..

JB.

 

[SteveO]

Really nice work, and photography. Looking forward to more pics.
Steve

 

[28ten]

Interesting you painted the sides before assembly, im way too cack handed to mange that without gluey prints all over the place - must get back in coach mode and crack on with mine after Christmas....

 

[Heather Kay]

Interesting you painted the sides before assembly, im way too cack handed to mange that without gluey prints all over the place

I find it easier to handle complicated stuff like lining and glazing in the flat. It does require a bit more care in handling during assembly, but it's a method that suits me. =o)

 

[Colin M]

Ah memories, the job that stuck in my mind the most from my apprenticeship was removing dynamos from under a Mk1. >>> You'd earned your dinnertime pints after a morning of this.

Wow, dinner time pints ...that takes me back! It was 37 traction motors that worked up my thirst! Can't even think about it nowadays, but back then it was everyday normal practice.

 

[Colin M]

Painting and lining. Phoenix Precision enamels airbrushed for the body colour, matt white enamel via a Bob Moore lining pen for the white strip. You can't see it here, but there are the little clear visibility patches in the top section of the toilet compartment window.

Love the attention to detail! Colouring of the wood panelling is great!

I was wondering, how do you get the corners of the white lining so neat? Do you do them freehand, or is there a way to mark them, template maybe?

Colin

 

[Heather Kay]

I was wondering, how do you get the corners of the white lining so neat? Do you do them freehand, or is there a way to mark them, template maybe?

Many years back I made a set of plastic card corner templates for lining 7mm BR steam locos. By chance, one is the same radius as the blue/grey corner.

It still takes a bit of time to line things up, but I mark out carefully with a light pencil line, Bob Moore pen the corners and then join them up with straight lines. It sometimes takes a couple of goes, so a thinners-soaked cotton bud is always to hand. The ruler and templates have strips on the back to lift them away from the work so paint doesn't run underneath.

A bit of careful retouching with a fine brush tidies things up at the end.

It's all just practice and confidence really. =oD

 

[Phill Dyson]

Hi Heather,

Love the mk1's.

I was wondering if you had built another manufacturers Mk1's & if so, how do they compare with these?

Phill

 

[Heather Kay]

Hi Phill

I've not had the pleasure of building other Mk1 kits. I've had a chequered history with coach kits, with a couple of unfinished kits of various types littering my workshop. One day I may pluck up the courage to complete them, knowing what I know now, as it were.

 

[lancer1027]

Hi Heather,

What fantastic pics of the mk1's.

If i may ask you a question, who's transfers have you used for the C1 Restriction's ?

Rob