At our meeting on the 28th October 2017 we had one of the best supported meetings in many years. The quality of the models was excellent.
Firstly we would like to thank our new member Gregg Worwood who travelled from Ashton Keynes with three superbly built models:
Gregograph
This model is Gregg's own design of the old Meccanograph. Built from various colours this model has one unique design feature, namely a rotating head which revolves the pen. This means the pen has three axes driving the pen across the paper and consequently draws some quite individual patterns.
Landrover Conversion
During the early 1960s, forty Landrovers were built with the Cuthbertson drive conversion for the Forestry Commission. This system turned each of the wheels into a caterpillar track. In doing so, the vehicle was lifted a couple of feet further off the ground. Gregg's Meccano model can drive and steer.
Brighton to Rottendean Electric Railway
This model is to 1:12 scale and represents an accurate reproduction of the vehicle built to give pleasure rides to Victorian visitors to these south coast towns. The prototype ran on an 18ft gauge track which was the largest gauge ever built. With the tide fully in, the vehicle ran in 15 feet of water.
The power was supplied by an overhead cable and earthed through the rails and salt water.
Both the traction and the access ladder are motorised on the model.
Secondly, we would like to thank David Worth and Philip Bond for travelling up from Devon. David brought along a selection of small modern French Meccano models.
Philip showed his Foden Steam Lorry.
A very well built model in red and green Meccano from a model plan. A Mammod steam engine is fitted in the front as in the prototype. The steering is by chains linked to the front axle as in the prototype.
Rail Trucks
Philip is also building a railway and has started with two trucks built in the late 1920s dark green Meccano.
Chris Bates brought along a substantial amount of Meccano to sell to the members for which many thanks for the work sorting and presenting.
Chris also showed his Bristol Dockside Crane built from renovated grey undercoated parts. This is being built from standard model plans with the addition of radio control. The luffing, slewing, winching and travelling functions were all demonstrated. A small amount of work is required to complete it. The grey undercoat colour makes the crane look so realistic.
Rob Curling showed his Jumbo Crane
This is being built to a 1954 set 8 plan. Rob is using French Blue, Yellow and Zinc to represent the prototype which was built by Taylors of Manchester. The model is a work in progress.
Mark Bridle brought along two crane models:
Ruston 135 Dragline
This model has been built from Mark's powder coated red and green Meccano and represents a number of machines supplied to India for irrigation works.
Thew Shovel
Mark and Pete Evans have collaborated to build this model of a 1912 steam shovel. The boom mechanism was so designed on the prototype to enable the bucket to move out from the machine parallel to the ground to prevent damage when buckets are used on docksides. As well as Mark, Pete Evans was showing his representation.
Pete Evans also brought along:
Pair of K3 MG cars
Both the pointed tail and slab tailed versions of the same car have been modelled. The pointed version uses predominantly flexible plates and the slab version is built using strips.
No. 2 Special Aero Constructor Outfit
Pete also showed his beautiful condition top of the range outfit which would have made most boys almost pass out if they received one of these on Christmas day.
It was great once again to see John Day who travelled up from south Dorset to attend our meeting. John showed three models designed by Tony James.
Side Tipping Lorry
This model is under construction in Zinc, Blue and Yellow. John was able to demonstrate the various ways the model could tip.
Fire Engine Hydraulic Lift
This model has a lift which reaches about 5 feet above the model. John demonstrated the functionality of the lift as well as the slew function and extension and retraction of the stabilisers.
Wrecker Truck
This is a 10 set model which John has built in light red and green and it looks fabulous. John demonstrated all of the functions found on the prototype, namely the raising and lowering of the Tag Axle, Jib up and down and the Hook winch mechanism. The transmission also works.
Steve Briancourt showed his amazing USS Missouri with its latest additions. More work has been done on the topsides with the funnels, radar, Bofors anti-aircraft guns and gun director drive mechanisms incorporated. Steve also demonstrated the main gun turrets.
Martin Arnold showed a pretty 1930-1940s number 9 set Lorry in Dark Blue and Yellow Meccano.
Michael Edwards brought along two models:
Austin 7
This is a super small scale model powered by an Emebo motor which is rarely seen these days. The model has working Lights, Horn, Steering, Forward and Reverse drive all of which Michael demonstrated.
Vertical Single Cylinder Steam Engine
This has been modelled to represent the prototype engine found at Kidwelly in south west Wales. It is driven by a 20 volt Side Plate Motor. The two speed gearbox on the prototype has also been modelled.
Alan Perry showed his very large model of the Avoncroft Windmill of Bromsgrove
Alan has obtained information on the prototype from the owners to enable the building of his model. This is a 1:12 scale model which is substantially complete with sails over 4 feet in diameter and the housing being over 3ft 6in high. Drive to the windmill sails still requires some fettling.
Andrew Jefferis brought along a very nice model of a Fairground Ferris Wheel, using red and green parts and featuring a sturdy roller bearing and a selection of small plastic figures to give it a sense of scale.
It was great to see one of our long standing members Hugh Barr. Hugh showed his SML 22 Traction Engine.
This has been built in Red and Green and is almost complete. Hugh demonstrated the engine running.
Neil Bedford showed his Lotus 25 Formula one racing car.
Although a relatively small model, Neil has managed to get a great deal of detail into this car. As with the prototype, there are two body panels which can be removed to reveal the detail of the Engine, Chassis and Suspension. This model is Neil's own design.
Richard Smith showed a Modern Motor Chassis.
This model is a Meccano Ltd design from the January 1957 Meccano Magazine model of the month. The prototype is a Bentley Mk 5 from 1939-41. Modelled in light Red and Green, this will be built to represent a factory display model with a couple of additions. These will be a representative floor pan and open four seat tourer bodywork. These will be motor driven to lift off and on the chassis for demonstration purposes.