A4 'Merlin' model (Hornby R2798)

[Graeme Leary]

I am interested in obtaining a model of A4 'Merlin' 60027 as produced for Modelfair in Manchester by Hornby about 4 years ago in BR Experimental PURPLE (which may in fact have been more like the BR Blue). This model has the words 'British Railways' on the tender (rather than the either of the crests) and was produced in a limited production run all of which have been sold.
Obviously it would need to be in good running order but as I run only LNER liveried locos on my layout I plan in fact to display it as one of the various A4 liveries operated by BR since Nationalisation in 1948.
I am in no hurry for this and plan at this stage, to visit the UK in November and would welcome any information prior to then.
Many thanks.
Graeme Leary
New Zealand

[Saint Johnstoun]

These models do appear on Ebay from time to time but you may have difficulty in locating one on your UK visit.
As usual they sometimes go for a silly price!

Only four 60024 Kingfisher, 60027 Merlin, 60028 Sea Eagle, and 60029 Woodcock appeared in this livery.

A

[Graeme Leary]

Many thanks for that Saint Johnstoun (another time you've been of help). Your comments confirm my research about this 'Experimental Purple' and the 4 A4s painted that way. I may just have to resort to painting and renumbering another (as already done in a Wartime Black model) but there does seem to be some suggestion that this 'Purple' is in fact a 'Blue' colour. Is there any record to show that they are in fact different and any colour code, eg Humbrol numbers, that would show the difference, if in fact it does exist.

[mick b]

They are a bright purple colour, from memory I think the lining was done in a incorrect shape on the front valance ?

[mick b]

One here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0975930385

[60800]

Nearly bid on that one earlier, but I didn't bother because the price will skyrocket in the next two or three days

[Graeme Leary]

Thanks again for all your responses. Now, here's a curly one - would anybody be able to direct me to a colour photo of an actual 'original' of one of the 4 Experimental Purples so I can check lining and other characteristics.
Graeme Leary

[mick b]

Goggle search

http://d240vprofozpi.cloudfront.net/loc ... higham.jpg

[Saint Johnstoun]

The picture shown in the link above is Walter K. Wigham which was in experimental purple from 6/48 until 10/50 but is shown in that photograph in the standard BR blue of the period with black and white lining! It is this livery which Sir Nigel Gresley carries at the present time.

[61962]

Can't agree with you SJ. The BR blue livery was all black below the footplate. mick b's link shows colour below the footplate and lining, red and white - definitely BR purple!

Eddie

[69999]

That photograph of 60028 has been in the Colour Rail catalogue as a colour slide for many years - ref BRE159.
The catalogue description reads - 'in experimental dark blue lined red/straw' Grantham Shed 6/1948.
The photographer JJ (J M Jarvis).
Interestingly - BRE158 is a colour slide of 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley described - 'in Garter Blue, red wheels, lettered BRITISH RAILWAYS' posed at the opening of Rugby Testing Station 10/48. Photographer again JJ - J M Jarvis.
Both look magnificient!
DG
69999

[Saint Johnstoun]

Unfortunately I failed to enlarge the photo and the lining looked black and white on my screen! OOps! Stand corrected!
As all should know the emulsions on early colour slides did not lend themselves to very accurate rendering of some colours too!

[mick b]

Is the Hornby livery correct ? Yeadon and RCTS state red cream grey lining no mention of the orange black orange on the Hornby version on the smokebox and boiler bands? Cant see those colours in the couple of photos in same books either or in the photo link I posted !! Perhaps that is what was criticised on release of the model?

[Graeme Leary]

Again, many thanks - but the plot doth thicken. According to some info kindly provided when I raised an earlier question to do with A4s liveries, a very helpful schedule provided (by Saint Johnstown I think, or was it Blink Bonnie?) showed the 4 locos that were painted in Experimental 'Purple' as being Merlin, Kingfisher, Woodcock and Sea Eagle but this also showed the renamed Walter K Whigham as originally having been the said 'Sea Eagle.' This same list shows Sea Eagle having been painted in BR Blue in October 1947 and then in BR (Experimental??) Purple in June 1948, barely enough time for the BR Blue paint to have dried. I take it therefore that the 'powers that be' in those days decided fairly arbitrarily to introduce 'Purple' on a small number of A4s, the experimentl wasn't met with univercal acclaim so back to the 'Blue.' Would that be a fair summation?
Not a lot of access to definitive volumes here in NZ so, again, if there is any chance of a colour photo of one of the 4 (named above) in the 'Purple' I would be very appreciative.
Please keep the information coming, I am amazed at what is known out there.
Graeme Leary

[Saint Johnstoun]

I think you may have misread the table re Sea Eagle.

Repainted LNER Garter Blue in 10/47 when renamed Walter K. Wigham. (from Black).

BR Purple in 6/48

BR Blue in 10/50

BR Green in 10/.52.