Grader
These are pictures of my first real scratch built model, a Blaw Knox motor grader that featured in the July 1960 issue of Meccano magazine. In this model I believe I pioneered the use of ashtray tyres in Meccano modelling.
The model was first attempted at 1/12th scale, based on 3” Meccano tyres, but I was unable to model the six reversible drives, required to operate the various blade and other movements, to this scale. A second attempt, starting with the multi-drive gearbox, indicated a required model scale of 1/8th. This meant the wheels needed to be 6” diameter.
Pleading letters to a number of tyre manufacturers lead to three sets of six ashtray type tyres each, from Dunlop, Firestone and Goodyear. The Dunlop tyres had a nice earthmover tread but were solid rubber (heavy) and too large. The Goodyear tyres proved to be the most suitable.
For these tyres I established that a 2lb syrup tin lid, drilled to match a Bush Wheel, formed one side of the wheel knave perfectly! When I asked my Mum how long it would take to consume enough syrup to collect another ten tin lids, her reply was unacceptable!
Fortune struck sometime later during an apprentices visit to the local metal box company, who, it transpired, actually made these tin lids!!!!! So I was able to scrounge the required amount that day.
After this model I took a 35-year sabbatical from serious model making, returning to the hobby in 1995.