Our first meeting of the year was fairly well attended despite many being unable to get to the meeting because of ill health. Not everyone brought a model, but there was a good atmosphere with a lot of talking. We had a selection of Meccano for sale on the stage, which raised a good amount for club funds. Many thanks to Dianne for providing the catering and to Lynn for helping from late morning onwards. Also thanks to those who provided additional cakes and biscuits.
Steve has not worked much on his staircase due to other commitments, but it does now have a knight in shining armour reliably walking up the stairs. An additional motor was needed to provide more torque as the original two motors were struggling due to the increased friction when the knight was added. The drive train which links the rotating core, the stair lift and the knight must always be in sync, otherwise it would all jam. This is achieved by ensuring no shaft driven component relies on the friction of a grub screw.
Richard S showed a mechanical dog and a mechanical man, both built to Fabian Kauffman's plans. These are both extremely clever designs by Fabian and have been built many times by other Meccanomen, including another on display at this meeting. The man can walk forward and backwards convincingly due to its CG shifting from over one leg to the other during the walking motion.
As a contrast, Richard also had a really cute small dog, showing that clever Meccano models don't have to be large. His mini roundabout is another fine example of a small model, well executed.
Mark H-S displayed some Meccano Speedplay (2005-2010). Speedplay was a departure from the usual nut and bolt construction method, using plastic plugs and self-tapping screws. Most of the parts are plastic but with some traditional metal parts. Many of the plastic parts also appear in the Xtreme sets.
The Robot Set has an electronic control unit which can be loaded with 3 programs from the old Meccano company website for sound and movement control, according to which model was built. The site can still be accessed via the web archive (wayback machine) but the program download link no longer works. There is, however, still a functioning link via the Aukland Meccano Guild website. Movement is driven by the screwdriver motor and 2x Meccano MO motors. The system is heavy on batteries requiring 3x AAA batteries and 4x C batteries.
The Pterodactyl Set uses a battery operated noise and light box with light tubes for the red flashing eyes. The box is also found in 2 of the Space Chaos sets, one with red lights and the other with blue lights.
Martin brought his yellow/blue/zinc forklift truck beautifully built to his usual high standards.
Rohan displayed his first Meccano model of his own design. It is a 1930's pick-up truck, incorporating a moving crane jib. To go with it, he made two cargo containers, both with opening doors.
His other model shown was a Red Arrows Hawk built from a Special Edition kit, which we know can be tricky to assemble.
Neil brought his Fergusson TE20 tractor ('The Little Grey Fergie'). The mechanisms are very closely based on the excellent model plan written by SWMC member Richard Smith. The bodywork, mock engine etc. have all been redesigned and slightly scaled-up to match the rear wheels, which are larger than those used by Richard. The model features forward and reverse drive via a differential, working 3-point plough hitch and power take-off, as well as working brakes on the rear wheels.
In contrast, Sam brought a Meccano John Deere 8R series tractor, marketed as a dedicated set in 2018. The metal parts in it are mostly narrow brackets and some of the 1/4" spaced strips.
Roger brought a display board of Meccano tyres across the ages. Since this board was created, Meccano have introduced many other tyre types and sizes in their modern incarnation.
His other display comprised Meccano's foray into plastic building bricks Called Cliki and Cliki Plus. This was part of their diversification era and was to rival Lego. It did not succeed.
Pete displayed a selection of previously built models, including his version of Fabian Kauffmann's mechanical dog. The windmill is a 1970's shop display powered by a 240V motor and a 12V supply for the lights. The blue and gold tipping lorry has a lifting bed raised by string and is powered by a clockwork motor. The other tipping lorry is made completely from nickel parts.
Kenny displayed some modern Meccano car kits which he had made up. These included a Ferrari Spider and a 4x4 Off-Roader.
Mark B had two models. The first is an onsite cement mixer. The materials to be mixed were added into a hopper behind the machine, which was then lifted to spill the contents into the mixing drum. Once mixed, it could be poured out the front via the the tapered chute. The whole machine was on wheels and could be towed to wherever needed.
Mark's other model is a Collis Truck built from a description found in an old Meccano Magazine. The red plate in the picture represents a palette or other large load under which the truck is manually positioned. When the handle is pulled towards the operator, the bed lifts up to support the palette and an over-centre lock holds it up.
Eric has been busy and is currently working on three different models. One is a WWI era ambulance for which the chassis is nearly complete. He is working from photographs of the actual vehicle.
Another work in progress is a WWI era Mk IV tank. A sectional side view has some basic dimensions which he has used to plot a scale picture to start setting up the track.
His third work in progress is of the Fishguard Titan Giant Block-Setting Crane, model plan 169. It is a Stothert & Pitt Crane - number 13 - shown in the old photo working on building a sea wall.
Kevin D has also been busy. His dockyard locomotive is from a set 5 model manual of the 1962-69 era (model 5.7). He has used strips in the build instead of where plates were shown on the plan.
His red/green articulated lorry is model 8.9 from the 1954-61 era models manual.
The yellow racing car is his version of the racing car in the 1948-53 model manual, model 2.7.
The portable crane is from the 1934-37 era, Outfit K, Model plan K17.
Kevin demonstrated the use of VirtualMEC, a 3D CAD program specifically for designing Meccano models. The demonstration seen in the photo was of a small locomotive which shows the construction from start to finish in a way similar to a stop motion animation.
Chris brought his work in progress model of a Riley RMA. He was lucky to find some 'online' plans and photos, mainly of the chassis - and also had an old Dinky model to use as a guide. It has taken many versions and revisions to get the basic shape right.
Alan brought two models. The helicopter is a work in progress. The Grandfather Clock is Supermodel Number 14A from the 1930's.
John displayed several models. The Planetarium is a set 10 model designed by Michael Whiting. The model shows the Sun and the planets of our solar system, plus Pluto and the 2002 discovery of Quaoar. The model is obviously not to scale but 1% accuracy has been achieved. While Quaoar will take more than three hours for one orbit of the model Sun, Earth will have orbited about 90 times each hour.
The next model was a model of Swing Boats. This is a 1950's model built from the Number 7 set Meccano instruction manual.
His last model is a Big Wheel built from the 1970's Meccano Set 6 instruction manual.
David N displayed an early Nickel car with operational steering, and a miniature Meccanograph. The Meccanograph was built to plans seen in an issue of Johnny Meccano's e-magazine. However, it proved difficult to attach the paper to the platform, so it would benefit from a few modifications to secure the paper.
