Auction Special - Tank Transporter part 2
By Pete Wood • Published on Sunday 6 January 2019, 6:02pm
Following up on the earlier Auction announcement, Nick Rodgers has now very kindly provided some splendid photos and a brief description of the model to further whet your whistles...
“Dragon Wagon” Tank Transporter and Sherman Tank
This is a large model measuring 5’-10” with the loading ramps in the down position. It is 11” wide. It comes in three sections: The Tractor Unit (2’ -3” long), the “Dragon Wagon” trailer is 3’ – 5” long and the Sherman Tank is 2-2 long.
The tractor unit has two motors. The smaller one drives the front steering and the bigger one the master gearbox. This is 4 speed gearbox with an additional gear box behind it to give high and low ratios. These drive the front and rear bogies through a series of differentials culminating in a chain drive to all four rocking axles. There are also two winches fitted at the rear and these are also driven through the gearbox. The 5th wheel can be raised and lowered as well as being locked for transportation. There is a lifting framework around the 5th wheel that enables additional cables to be fitted for loading The two bogies are connected together by a swan-neck and the framework around it carries the cabin. The model is also fitted with lights. The whole package is controlled from an external control unit that is run off a 12 volt supply.
The “Dragon Wagon” trailer is fitted with two axles fitted to rocking arms allowing it to be driven over the roughest terrain. These wheels are not motorised. The loading ramps are manually operated and held in place by chains at the rear.
The Sherman Tank is basically a big box driven by heavy duty tracks. These tracks are home made and are very robust. They are driven from Sprockets at the front. The turret rotates and the gun can be elevated. There are lights on the front and back. The main driving motor is at the rear and drives a four speed gearbox through to a differential to the front sprockets. The model comes with its own control panel allowing the operator to lock the tracks either left or right, elevate the gun or rotate the turret and operates the lighting. It would be powered by a 12 volt supply.
Auction Special - Tank Transporter
By Pete Wood • Published on Saturday 5 January 2019, 6:23pm
The RMG Auction Meeting is to be held on Saturday 2nd February 2019. More details will follow in the Meeting Reminder Notice shortly, however I would like to highlight one particular Lot of special interest, which will be featured in the sale.
John MacDonald's Sherman Tank was featured fairly recently in the RMG magazine, and of course Nick Rodgers produced his own version of the model while he was in the process of writing the article for it.
The tank itself is just half of the complete model however, the other half being the "Dragon Wagon" Tank Transporter seen in the photo above. This fabulous machine will be described in the forthcoming magazine issue, and we can look forward to a complete review of its features when this is published.
Imagine if you can, the fearsome Sherman Tank sitting on this supremely robust trailer, and hauled by the Monster tractor Unit at the helm. A full 5 feet long, (5 1/2 feet with loading ramps extended) The complete model commands considerable awe, and it fully represents the modelling prowess of it's designer and builder, John MacDonald.
The Auction Lot is the complete model, Tank and Transporter together.
Such a model will no doubt be highly desirable, and it is looking for a new home with a kind and loving owner!
Could that be you ....??
If you think so, please be sure to attend the auction and be ready to do (Tank) battle and win your coveted prize.
The stage is set, and the battle lines drawn...who will triumph as the sun sets on the Battle Arena of Chertsey Hall!
RMG Magazine Issue 98 October 2018
By Pete Wood • Published on Thursday 15 November 2018, 10:08am
Hi Folks,
For info, RMG issue 98 is now at the printers, we are just waiting for the proof copy for final approval and we are then ready to go! It won't be long now.
While we are on the subject, we are only 6 months away from the 100th Edition and we really would like to make this a bumper issue in celebration of a landmark occasion.
The editor is of course always asking for material, articles, news, reports, etc to fill all editions of the magazine, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE where-ever you are in the world, we would love to hear from you and feature you and/or your models in this Historic Edition of the Magazine?
So get your writers caps on, and start scribbling!! Please send all your offerings to the Editor Nick Rodgers.
In the meantime of course there is issue 99 to fill up too, so any articles you might have now or in the near future will always be welcome ....
REMEMBER - THE MAGAZINE IS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR MECCANO!
Konkoly Model Plans
By Pete Wood • Published on Thursday 25 October 2018, 11:18am
Breaking News on the availability of Konkoly Model Plans!
We have now been able to replenish stock of the first six volumes,
so (for the time being at least) we are able to supply a full set of volumes from 1 to 18.
If you wish to complete your collection then now is the time to act,
and if you wish to buy a complete set then HURRY while stocks last ...
a few of the later volumes are also running low on stock. Check details in the shop.
Further volumes are planned and more news on these will be issued later ....
Marvels of Meccano - Kempton Great Engines
By Robin Schoolar • Published on Wednesday 26 September 2018, 11:22am
Hi Meccanofolk
I'm sending this to people I've noted as expressing possible interest in exhibiting at Marvels of Meccano this year, and I'm hoping to reach a wider audience this way.
Some interest may have been more definite than others, but please forgive an exhibition organiser for trying to tempt you.
After all its a lovely venue which attracts an audience just made for Meccano
... and those magnificent Triple Expansion Engineers deserve our support
There's a poster attached too in hope a few may get displayed to generate a bit of extra publicity
If you can think of any other potential exhibitors, please feel free to forward this as widely as you like
I'm aiming to firm up most space allocations between now and Runnymede meeting on 6th October
If anyone is planning to be at Chertsey, I'm happy to catch you there
Also happy to discuss arrangements by phone.
(if you don't have Robins contact details the club secretary will be happy to pass them on to you individually. Pete)
Here's the sort of information which would help my planning (but you only need to fill in what seems relevant)
... which day(s) you can exhibit
... how much space you can fill (either in tables or feet)
... whether you might be able to expand a bit if space is available
... if you'd prefer a particular table arrangement (L shaped? squarish? or even straight line!)
... whether you'd prefer upstairs (about 30 broad steps) or downstairs (about 15 narrower steps)
... whether you need mains power
... whether you prefer to provide your own table covers (otherwise covers will be provided)
... whether you're happy sitting behind your model(s) or whether you'd prefer a different arrangement
If you're not yet certain what you can manage, I'm happy with provisional information - tweaking things later isn't a problem
And of course nothing is definite until people and models turn up on the weekend itself
Directions and map for anyone who doesn't know the way: http://www.kemptonsteam.org/visit-us/directions/
All the best Robin
RMG Issue 97 June 2018
By Pete Wood • Published on Thursday 13 September 2018, 3:22pm
Dear all,
May I apologize once again for the delays in getting the latest magazine issue out to you all.
A few members have complained, and this is quite understandable, and very regrettable.
However I can now report that the draft is at the printers as I type, and we expect to be able to ship them out imminently. The editorial includes an explanation of the reasons for the difficulties, and we sincerely hope that we can get back on track next time.
Many thanks indeed for your enduring patience
kind regards
Pete
Midhurst Summer Modellers Exhibition
By Pete Wood • Published on Tuesday 10 April 2018, 10:00am
For many years the Guild has been exhibiting at the Midhurst Model Engineering Exhibition held in February. This year, they have decided to add a summer show when they can include more outdoor activities including train rides, boating lake, tank battles and drone flying. All this and more, in addition to the usual indoor displays.
That's the good news; the bad news is that it clashes with the SkegEx weekend.
I know that many of you don't normally go to Skeggie, so the question is would you be willing/able to pitch up a display at Midhurst instead? We will have the same arrangements as usual, with the squash court and room for 10 or 12 tables (6ft) and Frank Paine's slot just outside (the squash court).
If you are interested in taking part, details can be found in the attached poster (see link below), and please can you let me know as soon as possible?
https://runnymedemeccanoguild.org.uk/assets/midhurst-summer-model-exhibition-2018.jpg
If you have any questions about this event, I'll be happy to answer them if I can.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards,
Pete
RMG Magazine Issue 96 February 2018
By Pete Wood • Published on Tuesday 10 April 2018, 9:52am
Hi folks, just a short note in case you're wondering where the next magazine has got to.
There have been a number of adverse factors which have contributed to the delay in producing issue 96, however I am pleased to report that the draft has now been sent to the printers and we should therefore be able to get them sent out to you within the next couple of weeks.
Thank you all for your kind patience; please bear with us just for a short while longer.
Regards,
Pete
Order Notifications
By Pete Wood • Published on Friday 15 December 2017, 11:18am
Hi folks,
I'm getting a few concerned e-mails about recent order notifications which are causing some confusion.
Nothing to be alarmed about.
When orders are processed (by me) an automatic message is sent to let you know. With Subs orders I normally wait until the first magazine goes out before I process them en-block, so in many cases this is months after the order was placed.
This is the first time it seems to have caused an issue, although I've done it this way since the web ordering system started. Perhaps I won't do it this way next year...
All the best, and Merry Xmas!
Pete
Rejuvenate your magnets at Chertsey
By Pete Wood • Published on Monday 2 October 2017, 7:11pm
Have your Meccano (or other) magnets lost their attraction?
Do you need more pulling power?
Bring them along to the Runnymede Meeting at Chertsey on 7th October, and Simon Walker will rejuvenate them for you… free of CHARGE !! ( warning - recycled jokes !!)
Simon has this amazing gadget that will re-align any wayward atoms in your magnets, and restore them to their former glory.
Don't miss this opportunity...