Hobby Holidays First Kit
1918 Rectank in 7mm ('0' Gauge)
This is a super detailed kit in 0.015inch Nickel Silver with mainly brass investment casting and 2 whitemetal castings for the bolsters.
The wagons were built in 1918 for carrying the then secret Battletank, given the code name "tank" to confuse the enemy. It was the "Railway Executive Committee" that ordered them and hence the name RECTANK. It is not know exactly where all of the 200 were made but we do know that most were made at Derby (Midland Railway), York (North Eastern Railway, and Swindon (Great Western Railway).
After WW1 they were sold of as surplus to the War Dept's need and were bought back by the above companies plus LNWR, CR, and some Hire Companies. This ensures they probably made there way into almost all of the UK railway network and some of France. Each new owner would have adapted them to their own needs. Removing jacks, fitting normal style bolsters, etc. Pictures show them carrying Boilers and any other large pieces of equipment.
They lasted into BR days until the early sixties some passing into preservation groups via the engineering depots. 3 were used in the clear up of the Harrow Wealdstone crash of 1952.
Pictures show a deliberately unfinished model made from the 2nd test etch to show the full underframe and brake detail.
Kit details below
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