This July meeting was a very amicable affair, with some members just coming for the camaraderie and the delicious lunch. We even picked up a couple of new members. We had a small sales table, which nevertheless proved popular. Thanks to Rob for manning this. Thanks also to Dianne for providing all the food and cakes and serving drinks throughout the day.
Barry displayed two No. 9 sets. The one on the left is from 1973 (with zinc strips) and the one on the right is from 1977/78 with dark blue strips. Both of these sets are in mint condition and still sealed, including their original cardboard delivery cartons.
These two sets, although both still sealed, are showing slight discolouration of some of the parts, but this is not surprising considering the Zinc set is now 50 years old! In 1973 the suggested retail price of the set was £25.43.
Neil brought his Land Rover model which he had displayed Skegex recently. It is a Series 1 (86” wheelbase) Landrover, built very closely to a scale of 12.5:1.
This model was shown as a non-functioning mock up in rough parts at our last meeting but has since been rebuilt in resprayed parts. The model includes an opening bonnet to reveal a mock up of the engine, working four-wheel-drive, a small but powerful geared motor, onboard 9v battery and quite a lot of detail in such a small space.
An improved version is planned, probably the longer (109” wheelbase) variant which will be an opportunity to iron out a couple of niggles – (1) the steering is currently too slow and (2) is it possible to build a couple of tiny differentials, one of which also steers?
A lovely little model detail is the tiny but powerful magnet used to keep the doors shut (seen as a small circle covering part of the slotted hole). A light pull on the doors open them, but they shut with a very satisfying click. There is even an air gap to the magnet as the door actually rests on the adjacent bolt head.
Colin bought this Erector set model from the USA. This model of the Capitol Building did not cost much, but the postage and import duty cost a great deal more than the price of the set.
Chris's model of the Scammel Tank Transporter is based on a plan by Mr P W Bradley from 1969. Usefully, a plastic model by 'Thunder Models' provided more accurate detail to work to. This is a work in progress and he intends it to be motorised and radio controlled.
The Matilda Tank (Mk. 2) was for infantry support and saw action in North Africa. It was heavily armoured and therefore slow but ideal for the job it was intended for. The model is Chris's own design.
Richard S showed his Barber Greene BG 220 Road Paver which he previously displayed in April. You can see more details at the 2023 April meeting page. He also took it to Skegex recently. The two walking robots were built for family - one for his grandson and one for his nephew's daughter. The robot design is by Fabian Kaufmann.
Eric has dismantled his earlier Block setting Titan Crane to use the parts for a slightly smaller crane. This new crane is an 'All Round Titan' stationed in Warrnambool Harbour. So far, he has made the turntable for which he had to drill additional holes in a flanged ring to mount all the turntable's flanged wheels. This twin boom crane does not have much rear overhang, therefore will require some significant counterweights.
Eric's red truck - pulling a trailer - is a work in progress, and might form part of a diorama alongside the crane. The original truck was actually just a farm tractor with a cab built separately and bolted on the top. The model has rear wheel drive (no differential) and steering.
John H made a welcome visit, bringing his work in progress Jones KL66 mobile crane. This model was a competition challenge in Meccano Magazine with the results announced in the June 1955 edition. (Interestingly, the 2nd prize winner of the under 15's was M A Rhoades from Hull!)
Mark H-S displayed one of Meccano's sister products brand named Mogul. These toys were produced during Meccano's diversification as a rival to Tonka.
It is possible that that the brand name Mogul might have been designed to capitalise on the success of a popular UK television series called Mogul (about big business). Although the programme had nothing to do with the toy, the name Mogul was nevertheless uppermost in people's minds at the time, and was therefore effectively free advertising.
The small globe with Meccano satellite was created by Ian J to demonstrate why the locus of a satellite is not a simple circle around the earth. The satellite encircles the earth in a single plane, but the earth is also rotating on its own axis, so the locus described is as shown by the red line in the photo.
Ian also brought a part built Vought-Sikorsky helicopter.
His model of the earth orbiting the sun was built to demonstrate how seasons occur during a one year orbit. The key element is the 23.5° tilt of the earth's axis. The model also shows the counter clockwise orbit around the sun (North Pole uppermost.)
Steve's Perpetual Staircase is still undergoing Beta testing to iron out jams and faults of the tread lift mechanism. At the last meeting it jammed catastrophically, but at this meeting it only jammed mildly at the very end, so that's progress! Once the stairs are running reliably, the next part of the build will start.
Pete recently acquired a large amount of nickel parts. This gave him the opportunity to construct a complete diorama of a train layout all in nickel, including the truck roofs which are all painted old nickel. This layout is fresh back from being displayed at Skegex 2023.
The passenger loco, the signal gantry, the level crossing and the steam wagon are all from a 1920 manual. The scale is based on the Hornby O-gauge.
David N showed his 1920 ERA racing car, featuring rack and pinion steering, and a large electric motor for forward motion.
Alan displayed a variety of early Meccano sets of various vintages.
