Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Hi,

While still in Madeira we found a driver for the truck: a fridge magnet of a Madeiran girl in traditional costume cost 2.50 euros we christened her Bella after our shuttle bus driver. Now back in the UK a start was made on modifying model.

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Taking the model apart had been a bit brutal due to the tools used and a particularly tenacious glue; so quite a few of the parts were distressed.

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As it wasn’t known how many of the parts would be used in the reconstruction so all of them were clean up using a Stanley knife blade as a scrapper, a wood chisel, sand paper and filer. There appeared to be three different woods used: beech like for the head lights, pine for the body and a light soft wood for the chassis.  When cleaned up they were painted with a dilute (4/5: 1) PVA water mix used as a hardener and sealer then sanded again.

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Assembly was started, it was decided that the wings/fender? wouldn’t be used; the headlights would be fitted to the bonnet/hood? instead.  The roof was shortened and the piece removed used as a seat back for Bella.  Bella unfortunately had to undergo surgery to fit into the cab.

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The body was attached to the chassis using screws to allow it to be taken apart again.

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One of the axles was used as a filler for the radiator and that is progress to date.

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Regards Tony.