Minic Motorway

[jbilton]

Hi

Having looked around I found the old Budgie (Morestone) models to be about the correct scale ..... I was lucky to find cheaply, a very good condition body .... missing its chassis.

I had to grind out the metal to give room for the brushes and spring posts, and insulate with sellotape .... but the wheelbase was near enough.

So now I have a Merryweather.











I managed to move the front axle on the FX4 .... so I think it looks better




Some more Budgie's, found cheaply on Ebay, for conversion.







And a Lone Star 'Impy' Roadmaster Ford Zodiac ( which are my favourite Ford)



I hopefully might get a Corsair at some time too.


Cheers
Jon

[Easilyconfused]

You certainly seem to be having fun Jon. It brings it all back to me seeing your photos - a friend of mine had an extensive collection years ago but I lost touch with him after leaving school and have no idea what happened to his collection.

[jbilton]

Hi John

Thanks... yes I am enjoying a bit of a break from Railways, although all the modelling is similar.
I do love these toys/ models from the early sixties.

Its a amazing how much old Minic Motorway turns up out of peoples lofts.

Cheers
Jon

[douglee]

Hi Jon,
You have hit the nail on the head with Merryweather Turntable Appliance.

I can not help thinking the metal Budgie lorries will be too heavy for the minic motors.

The C5 will look good though!!!

Good luck
Doug

[jbilton]

Hi Doug

Thanks .... yes I think that C5 bus is a real beauty.

Quite a lot of metal needs removing from the Leyland Hippo .... so it hopefully will be light enough.

Cheers
Jon

[douglee]

HI Jon,
In my picky mode again!!!!!
I am not familiar with the Budgie Horse box So I can say the Model naming.
However the four wheel Leyland with the Cab on the model was think a Beaver, the six wheel was a Hippo and the eight legger was the Ocotopus

There was a four wheel Comet but I think it was later cabbed. The names were long lived across many cab designs.

Good luck
Doug

[jbilton]

Hi Doug

Yes you're correct .... it does look like a 4 wheeler in the photo .... but its a six wheeler .... I've already removed the centre axle as a test.
I'm hoping to use a Minic car chassis ( as I have more of them spare and they are cheaper) and leave the original rear axle as the dummy.

I found this excellent site for Diecast models

http://nigelsworld.homeip.net/diecast/budgie.php

Cheers
Jon

[douglee]

Hi Jon,
AH! OK that does make it a Hippo then , From what I remember of the Minic lorry chassis it had a dummy rear axle anyway.

Handy web site that especially if looking for info.

Good luck
Doug

[rufuskins]

This is one of those threads within UKTS Forums that make fascinating reading not only for the content but also for the obvious nostalgia for those of us who have reached a certain age.

Jon I am impressed with your dedication and ability to nudge a bit here and shave a bit off there - much as you did(do) with your MSTS virtual models.

As is usual your efforts are a "double eged sword" in so far as it encourages one to have a go, but perversely can discourage as you convince yourself that you can't achieve the same.

Keep up the good work and please please keep on posting both about this and your Triang efforts.

All the best, Alec

[jbilton]

Hi

Thanks for your words of encouragement Alec.
I'm glad you enjoy reading about Minic etc.
I'm a member of the Worldwide club, but there's very little activity from members.

Cheers
Jon

[stephenholmes]

Good morning Jon
I too enjoy viewing this thread
At least you are enjoying your new found hobby
Kind regards Stephen

[jbilton]

Hi

Thanks Stephen.

An update on the Leyland Hippo cattle truck ....managed to get the motor in.... after a fair bit of cutting.
Runs great ... if a little fast with the car back axle.... but is OK, as you can slow it down to a crawl with the hand throttle.











Cheers
Jon

[douglee]

Hi Jon,
Yeah, nothing wrong with that is there?
A decent coat of paint = another good job.

Good luck
Doug

[jbilton]

Hi Doug

Thanks..... I think it might look better with all orange wheel centres.
Also it could do with that rear axle shortening.... but the frame mounts are a little too wide for a Minic axle.
I also tried lowering the motor ... so the 'dummy' wheels touched the roadway.... but then it doesn't run so well.

I've got a number of models awaiting painting ..... its not my favourite area.

Next up is the C5 bus.

A disappointment is a Lewin Roadsweeper .... which I finally obtained cheaply ... only to find its the wrong scale.

Cheers
Jon

[douglee]

Hi Jon,
The paint job can make or break a model. At least the body is separated.

Hi

if a little fast with the car back axle.... but is OK, as you can slow it down to a crawl with the hand throttle.

Cheers
Jon

Preaching to the converted maybe. You are aware that a 12v DC train controller will allow variable speed as well, over a wider range.

Good luck
Doug