South East London Meccano Club https://selmec.org.uk/ Our latest Meccano articles, event reports and models. en-gb Tue, 19 Mar 2024 11:26:31 GMT 60 The Caledonian Cover Diorama https://selmec.org.uk/models/2816-the-caledonian-cover-diorama

A diorama replicating the cover of the May 1959 issue of Meccano Magazine which featured ‘The Calondonian’ service between London and Glasgow.

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Thu, 16 Mar 2924 00:00:00 GMT
March 2024 Meeting https://selmec.org.uk/events/march-2024-meeting

This was one of our informal quarterly meetings where our members showed off their latest Meccano creations. Later in the meeting Alan Wenbourne gave a talk on the development and operating principles of the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) and showed us his computer-controlled model of Volkeswagen’s version of the DSG.

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Sun, 17 Mar 2024 10:36:54 GMT
Bedford Prime Mover https://selmec.org.uk/models/2808-bedford-prime-mover

Not quite a fresh start; built by largely dismantling my Bedford Dustcart. I think I have made the proportions of the bonnet slightly better. I have also hinted at the chrome strips across the grille that I remember these vehicles for.

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Red Arrows Jet https://selmec.org.uk/models/2809-red-arrows-jet

I bought this kit in 2012 or 2013 from Modelzone in Bluewater. It could not have been later than this because sadly Modelzone went into administration in 2013. The rights to the Modelzone brand were quickly bought by W. H. Smith, but all the shops were…

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
S. E.5a Biplane https://selmec.org.uk/models/2810-s-e-5a-biplane

‘Build something unusual’, said the Secretary. Well, this is only the second aircraft I’ve built to my own design. The others were mini-models and the Red Arrows jet, and I’m not counting the dumpy little aircraft I built for the Children’s Carousel. So…

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Showman’s Traction Engine https://selmec.org.uk/models/2811-showman-s-traction-engine

Inspired by the cover of the December 1970 issue of Meccano Magazine, but I have made many alterations compared to the magazine model. The model is yet to be finished, as it requires a roof.

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Hell’s Halo Fairground Ride https://selmec.org.uk/models/2812-hell-s-halo-fairground-ride

It is always a challenge for me, having built so many fairground themed models, to come up with something totally new, and so the main drive is how to push myself into doing something better. I never want to feel like I have just created another model…

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Derek the Dragon https://selmec.org.uk/models/2813-derek-the-dragon

Designed by Geoff Coles and featured in the July 1979 issue of Meccano Magazine. My version has some differences: Blue/yellow colour scheme. Not steam-powered. An electric motor moves and steers using caster steering. The head goes from side-to-side…

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
One Wheeled Vehicle https://selmec.org.uk/models/2814-one-wheeled-vehicle

From the cover of the February 1935 issue of Meccano Magazine, powered by a single Magic Motor.

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Autogiro https://selmec.org.uk/models/2815-autogiro

From the cover of the May 1931 issue of Meccano Magazine. The autogiro started with three rotating blades and was later modified to four as it was successful.

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Bedford 4x4 Lorry Chassis https://selmec.org.uk/models/2817-bedford-4x4-lorry-chassis

Featuring a 4 speed and reverse gearbox, heavy-duty differentials, hub reduction (3:1) and inter-axle differential.

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Wheel Oddity https://selmec.org.uk/models/2818-wheel-oddity

Meccano creations that can be driven around, travelling on just two side-by-side large wheels are neither new nor unusual (although I don’t recall seeing any recently, and I was in my teens when I last built one). In contrast to the traditional…

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Tramcar https://selmec.org.uk/models/2819-tramcar

From the front cover of the December 1918 issue of Meccano Magazine, built with 1930 red and green parts.

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Doxford Marine Diesel Engine https://selmec.org.uk/models/2820-doxford-marine-diesel-engine

Based on model № 41 in the 1931 Meccano Book of New Models, but built with 1970 yellow and zinc parts.

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Beam Bridge https://selmec.org.uk/models/2821-beam-bridge

From the № 10 outfit manual with modifications such as the addition of an auto-reverse with pause mechanism.

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Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Baron of the Big Blue https://selmec.org.uk/models/2807-baron-of-the-big-blue

In making a new ship for January 2024 I decided that something about it would have to be different. In previous such models where and if I had included cannons aboard, I had done so on upper and lower decks but always one immediately above the other…

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Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT
January 2024 Meeting https://selmec.org.uk/events/january-2024-meeting

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Fri, 23 Feb 2024 10:45:33 GMT
Snow Shovel https://selmec.org.uk/models/2792-snow-shovel

Built for the Weather Forecasting Secretary’s Challenge and inspired by the weather forecast for the third week of January 2024. This forecast proved pessimistic, for south-east London at least, so removing any possibility of posing the model in real…

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Snow Shovel https://selmec.org.uk/models/2794-snow-shovel

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Anemometer https://selmec.org.uk/models/2796-anemometer

Three conical discs form the ‘cups’ so it will only be pushed in one direction of rotation — anticlockwise. It would be nice to show wind speed, but creating a speedometer is another project! A high-speed Meccano fan provides the ‘wind’.

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Oshkosh M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HETS) https://selmec.org.uk/models/2797-oshkosh-m1070-heavy-equipment-transporter-system-hets-

Work-in-progress military tank transporter tractor featuring: Eight wheel drive. Front and rear axle steering. Steer/drive front axle on semi elliptic sprung suspension. Steer/drive rear axle. Three rear axles on replicated Hendrickson-Turner…

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Double-Decker Bus https://selmec.org.uk/models/2798-double-decker-bus

From outfit № 6 with added steering and floors.

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Weather Station https://selmec.org.uk/models/2799-weather-station

Unit for measuring the wind speed, rainfall and temperature for the weather forecast.

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Weather Vane https://selmec.org.uk/models/2800-weather-vane

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Weather Forecasting Satellite https://selmec.org.uk/models/2802-weather-forecasting-satellite

Not based on any particular type — more a suggestion of one based on an online search.

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Wickham Trolley and Trailer https://selmec.org.uk/models/2803-wickham-trolley-and-trailer

A British Rail railway engineering personnel carrier built by D. Wickham & Co of Ware, Hertfordshire. This long established firm introduced their rail trolley in 1922 as a lightweight track inspection and maintenance vehicle. This was a success and…

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
The Eiffel Tower https://selmec.org.uk/models/2804-the-eiffel-tower

When the Eiffel Tower was built, at the top there was a weather station with extensive scientific equipment. The model is about 8’ tall and about 1” lower than the ceiling in my house. In my opinion, my model has more accurate proportions and details…

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Tiny Dancer https://selmec.org.uk/models/2805-tiny-dancer

I have long owned a tiny little toy of a man dancing whose basic movements was driven from a winding motor and key, and I was suddenly inspired by the idea of trying to reproduce it in a Meccano form. The main aim I guess was trying to create a figure…

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Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT
Cromer Simpson https://selmec.org.uk/models/2791-cromer-simpson

A Short Crab Story… There can be no greater incentive than a gauntlet thrown down betting that you can’t achieve something. This proved surprisingly true in the form of a throwaway comment by my wife on New Year’s Eve, challenging me to make a crab-like…

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Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Rocket Man https://selmec.org.uk/models/2789-rocket-man

Looking back at 2023 I realised what a busy year it has been in terms of my Meccano model making pursuits with 19 new models, from which only one was a structured box set. All the other 18 were completely freelance models of my own design. That makes it…

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Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Pliciosaurus https://selmec.org.uk/models/2790-pliciosaurus

After the glut of a Christmas dinner and a Boxing Day feast, sometimes you just need something a little bit different! The design and construction process of making Meccano models is just like that too, and it’s been a whole year of making endless models…

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Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT