Next in the kit pile is three off 'Motor Car Van' kits by Modellers World. The only information I started out with was the not overly instructive instructions and one set of transfers for 'Swift Motor Co. Ltd.' and one for 'Siddeley Deasy Motor Carriage". So not modern image then, that's a start.
Even the size of wheels required isn't given, no owning company, no dates, no diagram numbers. As I'm way out of my depth here (if it isn't BR I'm way out of my comfort zone) I put out a challenge to the good folks of the O Gauge Guild, so often a mine of information.
They soon identified the general construction, notably the outside frame axle guards, as being likely LNWR. This ties in with the Coventry based motor manufactures, and the Siddeley Deasy name having gone in 1919 put it pre-grouping for sure. Armed with this info I found a couple of pictures of models (presumably built from this kit) that showed the way to go. A bod then came along with prototype photos of this wagon type that make everything crystal clear. Thanks to all involved.
Apart from just not knowing anything about the wagons, the problem I was having is the springs. The etches come with integral springs with the axle guards, yet two of the kits come with spring/axle box castings too. None of the kits have the '14. Axle Body' parts supplied. So it looks like the best way forward is to chop off the etched springs and use the cast ones in a more conventional manner, with the outside axle guard over them. At least that's the current plan. I'll have to see if I can source castings for the third kit. Wheels is the next hurdle. Measuring between the brake blocks on the compensation units suggests 3' 6", or more likely 3' 7" which would be standard carriage wheels. The compensation units have large diameter holes and look as though they are intended to take axles with wheels that screw onto the ends - very expensive. So, a Plan B needed there I think.
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