Our January meeting was very well attended with lots of conversations, catching up, some sales and the presentations of the 2025 Malcolm Hanson Trophy and the Ben Johnson Trophy. We did not have much ready to sell at this meeting but there should be a lot to sell at the April meeting thanks to some generous donations. Thanks to Dianne and Linda for providing the refreshments and to those who brought cakes to share.
Colin and his wife Pauline displayed his W900 Truck and Log and Long Load Transporter, built from Philip Webb's Meccano Model Plans 252 and 208. The gear box is shown removed from the truck, and the inside of the engine bay is accessible by hinging the bonnet forward.
Neil brought his Set 10 Loading Shovel - built largely as per the Set 10 plan but with simplified transmission, improved steering and geared drive to the lifting mechanism, as well as some cosmetic changes. Red and Zinc is not a usual combination but it does look smart. The bucket lift is a geared mechanism and all controls are manual. This was built for the 2025 Skegex Challenge which asked modellers to build their own version of this iconic set 10 model.
His other model was a Mecca-Saurus, very closely based on the brilliant and quite complex design by German Meccanoman Fabien Kaufman, but with a different head design and some minor changes. Built largely in older parts which have been stripped and resprayed in gloss grey. A little more work is needed to get the model running just right but he behaved quite well on the day.
Alan is downsizing his collection and brought along a selection of parts to sell at the meeting.
Richard S has now finished his gantry crane from the May 1951 Meccano Magazine. The crane's cab can traverse along the gantry, rotate (slew) and the jib can move up and down a little. Driving these functions via a cab which is on the move is done via three shafts along its gantry length, each of which have gears along their length which engage with gears on the underside of the cab. All the gears on a shaft must have their teeth perfectly aligned to allow the cab's gears to remain engaged whilst sliding from one gear to the next.
Brian bought a model of a JCB 520 built to approximately 1/8 scale. About 6,000 of this type of loadall were manufactured between 1981 and 1988. It was powered by a 72 HP diesel engine through a 4 speed gearbox to drive the front or all four wheels, weighed just over 5 tons and could lift a 2 ton load to a height of 18’ 10”. The two stage boom accepted a wide range of fittings, and the load was automatically kept parallel to the ground during lifting and extending by the use of interconnected rams.
David N displayed a fine example of a Hawk from a modern Meccano kit.
Steve hasn't had much time to devote to Meccano lately, so his medieval spiral staircase is progressing very slowly. However, there are now the beginnings of a maiden waiting patiently whilst sipping from a goblet of wine, and a kitchen module which can be easily withdrawn from the tower to reduce the weight for transport. Everything above the top of the eight corner posts is easily removable to keep the height low enough to fit in the back of the car.
The kitchen module can be slid into place and fastened using a single bolt, and the drive to the rotating spit automatically engages. The spit appears to be being turned by a monkey in a cage whilst eating a banana.
Chris B's Airplane Tower has two Meccano planes, each with a motor to drive the propellers, which pull the arm around the top of the tower. The battery box is affixed to the arm so no slip rings are required at its pivot.
All of Tony's electrical display can be made using the Elektrikit Set - although not all at once - and a few other Meccano parts are required. Despite the set's age, the principles of motors and solenoids have not changed and these small models demonstrate this clearly.
Mark H-S showed two miniature cars from the Crazy Inventors Rattle Trap and Bat sets; the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost by John Hardman (CQ 63 March 2004 p10) and a 1910-style Racing Car by Frank Weber (CQ 80 June 2008 p37).
Richard G displayed an amazing array of sets which were introduced in late 1926 as a tribute to exactly 100 years since Meccano experimented with colour finishes. They started with red and light green which only continued until mid 1927.
The windmill was bought in America and sneaked back in his hand luggage. The strips are tin plated which is unusual.
Chris F brought three models. The bird wings slowly flap with a very smooth undulating motion and he is considering building a whole bird if he can get enough plates in the same shade of yellow. The small bike can have its rear wheel spun up by turning a handle, which upon release continues to spin powered by the flywheel inside the base.
Mark B brought along a small tracked crane which is currently a work in progress.
Pete displayed his workshop with functioning tools. He also had a large display of Meccano Military models.
Philip brought a bus which is his own design of an AEC Regency bus. The parts used were restored and resprayed. He also brought a blue and gold truck.
John displayed a racetrack, and a clock which is a work in progress. The model of the automatic racer was an idea from the early to mid thirties Meccano set number five. John has improved upon the original to make it a very interesting and addictive model to watch.
Gregg displayed some of his very colourful fairground models. He utilised a caterpillar track in a very unusual way on his 'Skiddie Karts' model.
Eric displayed some Aeroplane Constructor kits 0 and 1 and some surplus Meccano for sale.
Kevin D brought a model of a Grab Crane.
Roger showed an expansive array of Aeroplane Constructor kits, comprising assembled models and some still strung in their boxes. He also included some more recent modern Meccano airplane models, and a rival airplane constructor kit made by DUX probably from the 1940's.
Gwyn displayed an array of simple models, all of which could be made using a Set 00, though only one at a time!
