albergman

My days in Dunfermline ended in 1951 when we emigrated to Canada and I was just 12. We had no money for that kind of stuff and I don't think I even knew it existed. Anyway, all my free time was spent trainspotting or reading the Dandy, the Beano or Dan Dare's adventures LOL. Frank

Oh dear ... you really DO have the bug!! You might be surprised to know that GPL is still going and last month it celebrated its 25th anniversary. There's a great video been done that takes you through the story. It has well over 400 circuits and at least ten different mods available now. My favourite was the 55 GP cars ... with brake fade built in!! Has the Maser 250F, Merc W196 and the Lancia D50. Would you believe the "modders" managed to crack the 12 mile limitation for circuit design and now have the FULL 45 mile Targa Florio circuit and the FULL 39 mile Isle of Man (my favourite). I maybe should get back to it as I enjoyed it so much. Yes, I'm getting old but I still try to get a couple of hours in at the bench most days .. while I wait for a hip replacement! Frank

Rabbit Hole is right Nick. This stuff is VERY addictive. In the last year I gave away all my gear as I just couldn't "drive" as well as I used to (an age thing I'm told). But for ten or more years I was deeply into Grand Prix Legends ... hot lapping by myself or racing in on-line leagues. It can take over your life so beware! Just watched your hot lap and it sure looks like a fun game ... watch those track limits! I recently had a friend write me to say that he'd just watched the Korean GP on YouTube ... what??? I looked it up and it was a game with beautiful graphics and very convincing. I felt bad telling him it was just a simulation. Frank

Bit of a late reply as I don't often visit this section but Hello to both "local" lads as I'm nearby in Innisfil (just next to Barrie). Bowmanville eh? On the way to Mosport. Frank

Lovely model engineering going on here Rob. Almost enough to make me want to tackle another ... LOL Frank

The character I've put him on to is the Fangio figure at Cults. Check out those racing shoes!! Maybe you could have a look at it and see if you think there'd be any problem printing it. What I can't tell is what size it has been drawn at but maybe that's not a valid consideration as slicers can change the scale. I think the head has been extremely well shaped and will be needed at 1/8 scale to match the model. If you'd prefer to take this offline you can reach me at frank.smart1938 (at) gmail dotcom. Frank

Hi there and thanks for replying. So far you are the only person to reply and offer so yes, he might still want someone to print a figure. This really isn't for myself as I said above and I know he just opened box 1 (of six) and started the assembly this week so there's a long way to go before a figure is needed. He's an accomplished sculptor and will probably be comfortable carving a body in a suitable stance. It was the head of the piece that he's most interested in as it is incredibly well shaped and a remarkable likeness. Strangely the original designer has outfitted Fangio in truly bizarre clothing and huge construction boots!! So it will likely just be a 1/6th scale head/helmet that needs printing. I'll get in touch with him and see how he wants to proceed. Thanks again Frank

For someone who doesn't build metal kits, doesn't like to solder and doesn't like painting I'd say you're doing a fine job. Can't wait to see it painted.

Some lovely model engineering going on here Rob. I'm curious how you will finish these brass pieces of motion? Will you try plating them, painting them or maybe just leave them unfinished. Probably a decision that's too far down the road at the moment?

Not familiar with these engines having only ever seen LNER power. Still they look like lovely models to me and I was hesitating to mention that "plasticy" coal but was glad to see you don't like it either. I think your idea of sprinkling some real coal over it would work a charm. Frank

Hey I have a friend in Ohio US who is about to start assembling a 1/8 scale W196 Merc from IXO. For fun I suggested he consider getting a 3D figure of Fangio to either stand beside or be seated. He like the idea and there's a couple of wonderful likeness figures (separate pieces for arms, legs, torso etc) available at CULTS. They obviously need to be resin printed and I'm wondering if anyone on BM is offering this kind of service to hobbyists in the USA ... preferably Ohio. He hasn't started the model yet ... got it yesterday so there's no urgency. Appreciate any assistance. Frank

I just looked at the real-world chassis and I see it's a "C" cross-section so you'll want it recessed. Carry on.

Glad I could assist on this marvelous project. An invoice is on its way. Nice that you can actually print the recess to take the fitted brass support. Will it be a flush fit or be recessed?

Why not just 3D print them Nick? Too soft maybe for what they need to support? If so maybe a brass "brace" glued out of sight? Beautiful progress anyway. Frank

WHAT WHAT WHAT???? Making something by hand??? What's the world coming to ... LOL. I started wondering as soon as I read that the floors should be wood ... now will Nick replicate wood in Fusion and 3D print it? Hats off to you for going the analogue route Nick! I can't imagine how stressed out you must be. 🤣 Frank

Nick I have many, many Dremel size tools and I wonder if you've considered some of these? You may have to buy a larger pack of the in many sizes to get the ones you want but they're pretty reasonably priced on Amazon. I would try the grinding "stone" first (third image). Frank

So Nefertiti will be driving the Bugatti Nick??

Yes Noel, that's the same Nick. He was very helpful nudging me into Fusion 360 and I wouldn't have got into it without his help. And yes, Fusion can produce STL files (among many others). I gave Nick access to my Fusion account so he could get the working files for my P2 loco as he'll probably want to improve on them.

Don't know why I didn't think of it before but some of you may know I drew up a Gresley P2 and 3D-printed it a couple of years ago. http:// I still have all the drawings and a lot of them apply directly to the Scotsman since it's a Gresley design too. A while back, on that P2 site, I offered my drawings to anyone interested in printing their own P2 and the aforementioned Nick took me up on it but he's a busy lad. I'd suggest anyone interested in printing an A3/2/1 should look at my drawings there (I have lots more if needed and think about it as a starting point. Fusion isn't all that hard to learn (I did it as an 80 y.o.) and it's a lot of fun. Much of the loco could be scratch built ... boiler, frames if necessary. Just a thought. Frank

I don't know if you're aware but once a model is drawn up in Fusion it can then be scaled for printing at any size . I wonder how much interest there would be in static models? Even having a static HO to sit in a siding on a layout would be nice. Nick is is one of the people who come to mind for this kind of thing.

Maybe if you asked some of the experts in BM they'd draw one up in Fusion and 3D print it ... in any scale. Since I made my own model someone has had access to the real engine (I think) and has produced a series of images in amazing detail that would make it a breeze to draw all the parts in Fusion. I had to draw all my own plans from photos and I wish something like this had been available 15 years ago. Frank

Thanks for your interest in my project. It hasn't been abandoned. I did get a bit tired of looking at it about 6 months ago and put it aside to start something else. That project is now nearing completion and the bike is very much still on the "to do" list although, it might not be in the number one position. I'm dealing with some health issues at the moment (don't get old if you can avoid it) and that's having a big impact on what I can do. How lucky you were to see Gunga Din! It probably is in Toronto somewhere and only 60 miles from me. Frank

Mike I have 3 display steam engines now sitting on display tracks that I 3D printed. I know you have some familiarity with this stuff and you'd get the perfect size you're looking for. I even printed the metal plate-thingies that hold the rails in place. The sleepers were done with real wood but could easily have been printed too. Mine were done on a filament printer so not the best for fine stuff but your resin printer would work great. Frank

Like everyone else I'm most impressed with your (to my eye) perfection of the sea. Not an easy subject to get right and to set the ship into it at a believable attitude is another skill. I'm guessing you have some first hand experience of being at sea? Wonderful modelling.

Wonderful kit and a perfectly realistic diorama. Fangio must be standing nearby waiting to jump in again ... I see his brown helmet there. Great work.