Killawarra

Jumbo Precision

Hi Guy's

I would like to talk about Jumbos (442 class) and present 44229

For years I have been detailing, repainting and weathering Austrains Jumbos. They are a representation of a Jumbo but there is plenty of Deficiencies in the Model. The Main issues that Bothered me was the Width of the Body. The other is the profile of the roof. The Mansards are too steep, and the roof profile is too flat.

I was looking forward to the Auscision HO release of the 442 class. The detail is up to the latest standards. After Studying the Model, the body basically had the same issues as the old Austrains Model. The only real difference was instead of being too wide, the Body was too Narrow. The Roof Profile and Mansards had the same issues. The problem I had was it just didn't look right. Over the years of Photographing the Prototype and Detailing the models, I have a pretty good picture in my head off all the details.

I got this guy out of an Auscision Bargin Bin at an Exhibition

I bought this with the idea of using the Chassis only

I was disappointment that Auscision didn't get it right. So to date there hasn't been a fully Accurate Model in HO of a Jumbo. With this in Mind I started to think what it would take to make a better, almost Perfect 442 class? One thing that I try to get is consistency. What would take to match a Jumbo with other Models that I have which are reasonably accurate to the Prototype? It's Closet relation in Prototype is the 80 class. They share many of the same dimensions. The Body Width is basically the same, The Mansards Match and the Roof Profile between the cabs is pretty much the same. The Models that I have of 80 class are pretty good. The Austrains and Auscision Model are the same width or near enough. Their roof profiles are the same. There is a small difference in the Mansard Height. To match the Jumbo to these models became my Goal!

My first point of call was to make a Template of the profile

of the Auscision 80 class.

This was my aim to matching the profiles

There are Issues

It doesn't get any better the longer you look at it

Many years back I tried to solve this problem with and Austrains Jumbo

The Auscision Model just had more potential and better options for DDC sound

Where to Start???????

I have plenty of Austrains 442 class and 80 class bodies lying around. I looked at what I could take from them to help this Jumbo. I didn't have two Auscision Bodies. The roof from and Austrains 80 class basically had the Profile and Width that I was looking for. This was the Start!

An 80 class roof to start

I needed some way that I could widen the Body. Austrains Cab sides was the answer

I started with one end of the model. I cut what I needed. I placed the new cab sides at what would become the same width as an 80 class. See above Vent windows? It isn't much but makes a difference.

Trial fitting

When cutting and joining components, I always worked on just one area to keep the basic size and structure together to avoid any twist or size miss matches.

This series of shots show where the cuts were made. I left the detail of the 80 class roof intact and this stage so that when it was all bonded together it will remain strong and true.