Royal Mail Coach by Phoenix Model Developments (1 Viewer)

[whdamon]

What follows in the next few threads is my adventure in building the 51 year old 1/32nd scale pewter kit of the Royal Mail Coach by Phoenix Model Developments in their Bygone Age series.

This is a complicated kit with many pieces. Good news is it has excellent and accurate directions, and considering its age, almost no fit problems. this is a quality kit casting.
I was also pleased to find that the 50 year old decals were in fine and useable shape

I have had this kit in my gray army for many years, but upon finally opening it I found an odd sight.
Many of the pewter pieces had an orange film on them. I suspect the pewter must of been coated with some kind of lacquer that contained amber as one of its ingredients. Over the years
stored in this box, the lacquer evaporated, leaving the indestructible natural element, amber behind. Good news it was easily removed with a wire brush.
As of this morning there is one of these coaches, with horses and figures on ebay for $150.

 

[whdamon]

Construction stated with the under carriage. SUper glue was the adhesive. Any severe voids (few if any) were filled with magic sculpt. Fortunately the parts are a soft pewter and can
easily be "bent" to fit as designed. there is quite a bit of molding flash and lines that needs to be removed before assembly. easily done with needle files and wire brush

 

[whdamon]

next comes the carriage body

 

[whdamon]

now off to prime and the start of the paint process (after an unsuccessful fit up to see if a passenger could be installed)

 

[whdamon]

next detail paint and decals

 

[theBaron]

That's a great start, Walt! I look forward to your next update.
I'm following one on eBay to finish for my Berlin 1910 collection.

Prost!
Brad

 

[whdamon]

Horses and crew. a 4 horse set up using Phoenix horses from the Bygone Age series. frankly I will finish up the harness work with the horses at a later date (loosing interest)
so for now just some staging for photos, although the horses have been built and painted.
The crew is the driver and conductor that are made for this coach but are sold seperately

 

[whdamon]

The rest of the cast:
The village Giglio (Metal Models)
The Maiden Aunt and her virgin niece (Phoenix)
The town drunk who loves the ride ,and often falls off (Britians)
the 2 town ****s who always wait to see who comes off the afternoon coach (Phoenix)

 

[whdamon]

And finally the complete set up (less the horse and harness hookup). Ill need to build a village backdrop in one of my display
cabinets , but this will do for now.

 

[Obee]

I love this post that you posted today because it has come at a most welcome time because last month a local collector asked me to assemble and paint his kit of the Royal Mail Coach that he accumulated over the past few years.

Your step-by-step images are a great guide for me, and in a couple of month's time, I hope to show you my work here.

John

 

[Louis Badolato]

Really well done!

 

[Obee]

Here are the boxes with the kit that I'll be making, and I'm now interested in seeing your rigging of the 4 horses.



John

 

[mikemiller1955]

So many tiny pieces...not an easy model to assemble much less paint...again...you killed it...what a fantastic little piece of art you have created!...

 

[Louis Badolato]

And finally the complete set up (less the horse and harness hookup). Ill need to build a village backdrop in one of my display
cabinets , but this will do for now.

View attachment 356012View attachment 356013View attachment 356011

Now all you need is a highwayman figure! Stand and deliver!

 

[blaster]

Hi Walt,

A great thread. I love these old vintage kit constructions!!!

Rgds Victor

 

[whdamon]

Now all you need is a highwayman figure! Stand and deliver!

Yes the Phoenix mounted highway man would make a good companion piece. Unfortunately i do not have one in my gray army. I saw one at MFCA in May for about $100. I passed

 

[whdamon]

Here are the boxes with the kit that I'll be making, and I'm now interested in seeing your rigging of the 4 horses.

View attachment 356035

John

Those are the pieces. One caution on the horses. There are actually 2 different sizes. Not much noticeable difference at first glance but when 4 of them get lined up or you gat a mix you can see it. I believe the smaller size was made for the multiple horse set ups. The boxes will tell the size A<B<C or D. I will get you the legend for the sizes. Also if you don’t have the specific direction for the 4 horse harness set up i can email you a copy. Not all the sizes come with the 4 horse directions

 

[Obee]

Those are the pieces. One caution on the horses. There are actually 2 different sizes. Not much noticeable difference at first glance but when 4 of them get lined up or you gat a mix you can see it. I believe the smaller size was made for the multiple horse set ups. The boxes will tell the size A<B<C or D. I will get you the legend for the sizes. Also if you don’t have the specific direction for the 4 horse harness set up i can email you a copy. Not all the sizes come with the 4 horse directions

Thanks for that information, when I get to that stage I'll ask if needed.

John

 

[Obee]

I have assembled and painted quite a few wagons in my time all by Phoenix, like these:

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Nice, aren't they ????

John

 

[Obee]

Yes the Phoenix mounted highway man would make a good companion piece. Unfortunately i do not have one in my gray army. I saw one at MFCA in May for about $100. I passed

The Highwayman is still being produced by S&D Models in UK costing 26 UKPounds plus post, I'm sure thats cheaper than $100???

https://www.sanddmodels.co.uk/images/g23.jpg

John