Jump to content
 
  • entries
    83
  • comments
    607
  • views
    80,824

Two out of three ain't bad. And the one about the soup can!

46444

Entry posted by 46444 in 46444 Blog

498 views

 Share

In the 1980's as an impressionable teenager Ratio produced a number of special pre-printed kits based on their venerable GWR 12T box van. 

 

As far as I an aware the three kits available came in Badger Beer, Huntsman Ales/Elderidge Pope and BOCM liveries *. 

 

When they were available in the 1980's I never built them. I remember they were advertised in black and white images in the Railway Modeller from Ratio when they were based in Sturminster Newton. 

 

However a pang of nostalgia sent me on a retro modelling challenge. Sadly I have not been able to procure the Huntsman Ales kit to complete the trio. Hence the blog title.

 

Two out of three ain't bad..

 

The Badger Beer van came as new in an un-opened package courtesy of eBay. Other than Gibson bearings/12mm wheels and Lanarkshire Model Supples GWR  buffers the kit is as supplied.

 

Two out of three ain't bad..

 

I have added a Microstrip rain strip above the doors and sprayed the roof in Tamiya German grey.

 

Two out of three ain't bad..

 

The BOCM variant was a different kettle of fish. Essentially a non-runner minus roof and broken details it was obtained from eBay cheaply. 

 

To mine and our postman's suprise it arrived in a used Heinz Tomato soup tin. The Postie was evidently bemused.

 

Using a new donor Ratio GWR 12T Van kit I was able to restore the broken detail, missing roof and running gear. 

 

Thankfully Games Workshop/Citadel paints offer a suitable match for the light blue. 

 

Two out of three ain't bad..

 

The roof has been finished as per the Badger version.

 

I am still looking for the Huntsman Ales/Elderidge Pope kit. If you have a spare kit please contact me via PM.

 

More soon.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

 

* Was there a Harvey's Sherry version as well?

 

Edited by 46444

  • Like 7
 Share

6 Comments

Recommended Comments

  • RMweb Gold
Enterprisingwestern
  • RMweb Gold

 

To mine and our postman's suprise it arrived in a used Heinz Tomato soup tin. The Postie was evidently bemused.

 

The best way to send wagons etc IMHO, excellent protection, although I do take the label off and give it a circuit of the dishwasher before sending!

 

Mike.

  • Like 1
  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
Mikkel
  • RMweb Gold

That's a nice idea, bringing items from our past into the present. I'm tempted to dig out the old boxes!

 

The Heintz variety of a shipment box is not a bad idea actually, assuming that the wagon can be lodged firmly within.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
46444
  • RMweb Gold
On 05/08/2023 at 20:49, Barry Ten said:

There's a Harvey's Bristol Cream van on ebay at the moment:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313&_nkw=ratio+kit+harveys&_sacat=0

 

Almost certainly a daft question, but were these liveries all bogus?

 

Thanks for the heads up Al. 

 

I have ordered the Harvey's van from your link. 

 

Just need the Eldridge Pope one now.

 

As far as I am aware these liveries were all bogus. I think they may have been chosen because of their Wessex area connections.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
46444
  • RMweb Gold
On 05/08/2023 at 20:57, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

To mine and our postman's suprise it arrived in a used Heinz Tomato soup tin. The Postie was evidently bemused.

 

The best way to send wagons etc IMHO, excellent protection, although I do take the label off and give it a circuit of the dishwasher before sending!

 

Mike.

 

Thanks Mike,

 

I would agree. After the initial shock of seeing a soup tin arrive with a wagon in it, the structural rigidity, shape and lightness of the tin makes perfect sense. 

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
46444
  • RMweb Gold
24 minutes ago, Mikkel said:

That's a nice idea, bringing items from our past into the present. I'm tempted to dig out the old boxes!

 

Thanks Mikkel,

 

It would be interesting to see what you can find in your old boxes Mikkel.

 

Ratio did do a pre-printed selection of GWR Iron Mink GPV's in various liveries. 

 

Cheers,

 

Mark 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...