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Andy from Severn Models demonstrating some of his range of brass kits.

 

In a slightly different arrangement of our usual format, we met in the round, or more accurately, in the square for the June meeting.

 

There were a number of apologies for absence, particularly from a large number of Daves. Nick asked that any outstanding subs were paid ASAP to Raymond. Stephen brought some guaranteed leak free jars of 12% phosphoric acid flux, one of which is sitting in my garage with some leaded solder, pre alloy change. The next challenge, deliberately open, is entitled, the end of the line. Make of that what you will. Completion date will be the April 2027 AGM. Forthcoming exhibitions include the Craven Arms show and Scale 4 at Crewe. The revived UK model directory website considered not a shadow of its former shelf but a new site MREC .Co.uk may challenge. Three shows only on it at present.

 

A visit to a Bayston Hill O gauge layout, not 400 yards from Bayston Hill Village Hall is the venue for next months meeting. Our usual room booked so we can use the car park but bring a chair and no smoking in the garden... or house please.

 

Andrew began his presentation, telling us 2015 was the date of his last talk, and tonight's would be on his company's etched brass kit building and painting. In etching, particular care must be taken by the designer to ensure that enough material is removed that the brass can be folded to the correct angle, typically 90° for the corner of a house without distortion of any of the sides of the model.

 

Particularly attention is paid at Severn models to get window frames, bars and even putty accurately represented. I add the detail because I can, he said! Bicycles in various scales are another product ,useful to me for my proposed tour vignette. Included on the larger scale models are tiny brake blocks, but even the designer has yet to fit them.

 

Andrew continued with a practical demonstration of the building of a shed, beginning with rubbing down with 240 grit sandpaper to remove contaminants and provide a key for primer. The parts were then removed from the sprue with side cutters and any excess material removed using a needle file. His models can be built up by soldering but supergluing was demonstrated at the meeting. Careful folding of the brass with a metal rule and straight jaw pliers was shown.

 

The different viscosities of superglue were discussed as was the addition of soda as an accelerant. Capillary action is the mechanism by which glue is drawn into the narrowest of gaps. The tea break was then taken , a little later than usual, and cake was eaten.

 

After the break, with reduced time, painting was talked about but not demonstrated. The techniques taught at war hammer centres were suggested as being entirely appropriate for our hobby. The mysteries of ink washing including once again capillary action to draw paint into the mortar between the bricks was mentioned.

 

Andrew was thanked for his time and another meeting concentrating on painting was mentioned. 

 

Philip Hamson.