Dave Holt
Western Thunderer
Prompted by "James Spooner's" saga about building an Ivatt Class 4, 2-6-0 from a Nu-cast kit (Elmham Market in the Layouts section), I've found this poor quality image (it's photograph of a photo print!) of 43106, which I built many years ago for the late Ray Hammond, to run on his Thursford, S4, layout.
The loco was built with the aid, and I use the word very loosely, of two Jidenco etched kits. The basic chassis, with frames, wheels and coupling rods, had been assembled by that superb modeller, the late John Hayes, who had given up the job due to the quality of the kit. Needless to say, the chassis ran beautifully. I rashly agreed to take on the completion and the photo shows the final result. The firebox/boiler/smokebox unit was scratch built as the kit parts were useless. I did fit the half-etched rivetted smokebox wrapper, however. Most of the valve gear was Comet (for the BR Std. version).
The tender was 2 mm too narrow, but it was agreed to live with that and it's not obvious in the photo. I think a Bachmann body would for a much better basis for a model nowadays.
I don't know who took the photo, but it was probably at an exhibition or Ray's house.
Dave.
The loco was built with the aid, and I use the word very loosely, of two Jidenco etched kits. The basic chassis, with frames, wheels and coupling rods, had been assembled by that superb modeller, the late John Hayes, who had given up the job due to the quality of the kit. Needless to say, the chassis ran beautifully. I rashly agreed to take on the completion and the photo shows the final result. The firebox/boiler/smokebox unit was scratch built as the kit parts were useless. I did fit the half-etched rivetted smokebox wrapper, however. Most of the valve gear was Comet (for the BR Std. version).
The tender was 2 mm too narrow, but it was agreed to live with that and it's not obvious in the photo. I think a Bachmann body would for a much better basis for a model nowadays.
I don't know who took the photo, but it was probably at an exhibition or Ray's house.
Dave.
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Somewhat amazingly after these photos the loco was overhauled at Eastleigh and saw further service at Carlisle Kingmoor and Lostock Hall before withdrawal in 1968.
