Spot the deliberate mistakes!

[guillyman]

Has anybody out there purchased the first couple of issues of Hachette's Flying Scotsman model series? (As advertised on tv) I figured why not, the complete kit will cost around £600 for a model available from DJH for £462, but you also get the magazines, tools, DVD's and all the paraphenalia which comes with it.
But I also find that these publications are written by non-enthusiasts who have no knowledge of the subject and glaring errors are allowed to appear within the pages which spoil an otherwise satisfactory product. See how many you can spot and post your results here, just for fun of course. Here are a couple to get the ball rolling:
1). Issue 2, page 2, bottom of col. 1 "standard O-gauge, approximately 1:43, or 1cm. to 1 foot."
2). Issue 2, page 13, col. 1 "The SIR (Surrey Iron Railway) was abandoned in 1838" Try 1846 instead - straight from the plaque in Wandsworth.
There are many more to spot. Have fun!
Regards, Alan.

 

[kettlefan]

the model is in fact made by DJH, so yes, its is indeed a rip off.


It also hopes the people buying it have the ability to solder an etched kit up without making a mess of it, and that they can apply a really good rendition of Doncaster green straight off. I doubt it very much somehow, either there will be many unfinished kits and annoyed people, or Ian Rathbone will have so many orders for LNER green livery he will be fighting them off with a stick.

 

[guillyman]

It gets even better in issue 4. A double-page drawing of 4468 Mallard with the nameplate 'Sir Nigel Gresley.' Or on the back page a photo "depicting an A1 pacific which was not converted to an A3." Shown is pacific no. 2504, clearly an A3, (note the plate below and rear of the chimney), which was built as an A3 in the first place.
As for the soldering, no mention has been made of this - they encourage the purchaser to superglue the thing! Give me strength! The DVD given with issue 1 shows all the parts being assembled ALREADY PAINTED, so I'm looking forward to see how they face that problem...
I actually feel insulted by Hachette, since they are putting something on the market allegedly researched by the NRM, but clearly is written by non-experts who don't know better. After all, we are only dumb train spotters who will accept anything. Sorry, Hachette, but we are actually a very fickle lot who like to be treated with some respect! If you actually need somebody to read your proofs, then I shall offer my services, but one way or the other PLEASE GET IT RIGHT!
I'm now off to write my new book about knitting...
Regards, Alan.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

I a presuming the mag will be providing all the wheels and motor/gearbox as well? If not, it could well be cheaper to buy the kit direct from DJH!! I did wonder when I saw the advert, just how many would actually be completed, if if any were, how long before the glue gave up and they fell to bits!!
DJH and the NRM must have known what they were letting themselves into with this one...

 

[guillyman]

Yes, it does come with the wheels (probably the wrong diameter!) but the motor and gearbox come as an optional extra, as the model is intended to be static. Don't know if the DJH kit is the same, so therein another potential rip-off.
Perhaps the NRM ought to be made aware of the score, as I'm sure they will not appreciate their name being creditted with all the blunders. This is not the first time that Hachette has been guilty of this.
I shall keep you posted with the next bunch of howlers from issue 5...

 

[960012]

a friend of mine did a few calculations and it works out cheaper to buy a DJH kit!

 

[guillyman]

True, 960012, but you don't get so many laughs!

 

[960012]

Yer but at least you might get a decent model at the end of it!

If it was a southern engine i could be tempted but A3s dont really float my boat lol

 

[guillyman]

Oh, a spam can fan! That explains it. I shall keep you posted here with progress, maybe some piccies, assuming my fingers don't get stuck together with all the superglue. Must rush - issue 5 is due... lol Al.

 

[960012]

Hehe yes you could say that lol,

Yes please do am interested to see how it unfolds lol!