6th October 1999
Sam Medworth had completed his first attempt at a supermodel, the Stiff Leg Derrick. This had proved a bit of a challenge thanks to certain inadequacies in the original design, but Sam had managed to get it working.
David Hobson had a model of the first car to break the 100mph barrier. It was beautifully modelled and boasted an engine with double pistons. David had also brought a display of "other" systems, which included a Greek Meccano copy and a Stabil outfit.
Phillip Drew had several small Meccano sets, which he had got on offer from Elf service stations. As well as being very cheap the sets made quite nice models and contained some useful new parts.
Mervyn Bishop gave us a second showing of his dodgems model, which he had managed to improve since last time. He also had a charming model of a horse and cart.
David Miller had a lovely push-along model of a Gooch GWR loco and coach which he had built to entertain his grandchildren. He also brought an upgraded model, in this case of his Jumbo Jet container conveyor, now powered by four No1 clockwork motors!
Ron Garside had a model-in-progress, namely the SML level luffing crane.
Malcolm brought some American Meccano advertising literature, an early French No1 outfit and an unused Korean War period 7A outfit. In addition to the Meccano items Sam's son Andrew gave a demonstration of the Club Web site.
July 1999
Bill Jary seems to have caught the collecting bug. He came with two different Meccano microscopes and a collection of Meccano oilcans. He then proceeded to buy a vintage bottle of Meccano oil Malcolm had for sale.
Mervyn Bishop brought a nice Bumper Car model based on an old MM set of plans.
Sam was determined to demonstrate that the Meccano circular saw actually works, and it did!
Ron came with a classic supermodel car chassis with minor mods to the plans just to get the thing to work.
Tony brought a model-in-progress, the base of what he hopes will be a tower crane.
For the technically minded Doug Follett showed us models which demonstrated the workings of the Stephenson and Walschaerts valve gears.
David Miller had once again gone along one of his idiosyncratic model building paths and showed us a Jumbo Jet container conveyor.
Hornby O Gauge is not dead! Except it is now called ACE and Ian Lane has some. He showed some beautiful recently made tin-plate coaches.
Malcolm was being lazy and had no new models but showed some collector's items he had recently acquired.