Happy New Year to you all During the Christmas holidays I had time to do a little modelling. I made some progress on my French army locomotive from the Campagne-factory. I have attached a photo of the present status. More photos on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nystrup_grus/sets/72157600638413896/
Great job on the French locomotive. How did you form the bonnet? Did you vacuform it. You did a great job in capturing the shape, which can be tricky when there are quite a few curves involved.What is the scale? Looks to be 1/32, but that can be deceiving.I have attached a few German Locos from Africa between 1905 and 1914. I thought you may find them interesting.Look forward to seeing it finished.All the BestTim R
Tim: Thanks for the nice words on my little locotracteur. The scale is 1:35 (it says so in the title! ) No fancy methods were used to make the bonnet. It is simply a box of plasticcard sanded into shape using sandpaper, files, repeated puttying and lots of time. The box was strengtened on the inside with both plastic profiles and Miliput. You should be able to see the process if you study the photos on my Flickr-site carefully. I have planned for a crew of three (like in the prototype photo). Two are resin figures from Adrian somewhat rebuilt and reposed. The third spot on the loco is still contested by several potential figures - all of them needing more surgery than the two Adrian-figures. I couldn't have done this project if it wasn't for Jordi Comella in Spain who has a restored Campagne-loco from 1925. Using his measurements and 100+ photos and my 'modeller's license' and 'guesstimation' I was able to prepare a sketch of my 1917-version of a Campagne. I didn't know the photos you posted. Thanks a lot.
I watched your albums at flickr. Very interesting and convincing work!
A little question to your little locotracteur: On some pictures on the real thing there are strips of air louvres on the bonnet sides. Are you going to add these on your model too?
If so, I would be very interested in your "way to do".
Best regards, Peter
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"Siplicity is the ultimate sophistication" -Leonardo Da Vinci-
Hi Peter Guess why the louvres have not been fitted...
I have tried to find sets of etched louvres that fit both spacing and number of louvres, but there is nothing out there. I have not found any etched louvres that lend themselves for conversion either. It seems like I'm in the situation where I often end - the scratch building scenario.
I have seen an excellent article in 'Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railway Modelling Review' by a guy in New Zealand that built himself a 'louvre stamping tool', but that is beyond my capabilities. I'm going for thin brass sheet, sharp knife and screw driver blade for a first try. You'll hear more on my progress.