Volkswagen Camper

A kitbashed Volkswagen Camper

A tribute to Stavie van Aardt the Master Builder and to the late Koos Strydom the Master Plumber and Artisan who donated the rainwater gutters and down pipes of this conversion. Stavie van Aardt's Mobile Site Office, "Old Hess" (she is also a 1968 Bay Window Westfalia Camper) - on site at Aliwal North Bokomo - A VW Combi T2 conversion (in scale 1:1 and a kitbashed model in scale 1:87)

Old Hess in scale 1:1
A very popular vehicle - VW Combi conversion 
that roamed in the Town of Aliwal North - 
it was utilised by Stavie as a
Mobile Site Office.

I have sacrificed this VW Combi T1 for this 
project - scale 1:87

Body wrapped and fitted the spare wheel...

Finished the roof - to paint it with Prominent 
Green roof paint.

Stavie on site at Bokomo - The almost finished 
model in scale 1:87 - Koos Strydom to make and 
fit the corner trimmings to the gutters to complete 
his plumbing.

Completely body wrapped with all the frills 
and trimmings.

Completely body wrapped with all the frills 
and trimmings.

With white coded bumpers...

With Architect drawing in hand...

Old "Hess" actually had a Plum coloured roof back then...

A Model Railway isn’t just a Train Set

"A model railway isn’t just a Train Set, but an attempt to recreate a real life location in miniature. It’s like a 3-D art form." Howard Smith
As the majority of people who believe model trains are for dads and sons, take a visit to a model railway exhibition / convention and you may learn about the level of attention to detail that is given to the hobby. Railway modelling is the biggest hobby in the world and the members of associated clubs range from high profile professionals to the average Joe. It is a hobby that brings varying people together to learn the different traits from scratch building locomotives, coaches, wagons, buildings to electronics to painting and weathering. But most of all, it is about Enjoyment.

SAR Class 8X Model Locomotive

A Kitbashed OO scale Frateschi Baldwin 2-8-0 Pennsylvania Locomotive. 
To represent a true SAR Class 8X Model Locomotive.

My farewell present May 10, 2013.

May 2013 - The Original Frateschi Baldwin 2-8-0
Pennsylvania Locomotive -
before any kitbashing was started.

In order to represent a true SAR class 8X
Model Locomotive, I have to remove the front
dome from this Frateschi Baldwin 2-8-0
Pennsylvania Locomotive...

With dome removed, I have to close the hole.

The almost finished Model - to make and fit 
the safety valve in front of the cab and 
to close the air vent on the cab roof.

Added some steam and smoke effects...

The almost finished Model ready to take on water.

The almost finished Model in the background.

Made and fitted the safety valve...

A real SAR Class 8X 882 (2-8-0) Locomotive.

MOBIL Fuel Tanker

A Kitbashed MOBIL Fuel Tanker to match the 1970 era. 
The main purpose of this smaller capacity tanker is to transport Fuel from the Aliwal North Mobil Depot to Service Stations in the area.

Engen Petroleum is a South African oil and gas company. Until 1990, it was part of Mobil Oil. In 1993, it changed the brand name into Engen. The company is present in over 20 countries and export products to over 30 more countries, mostly in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

Engen has a refinery in Durban that has a nameplate capacity of 135,000 barrels per day and operates approximately 1,500 service stations across sub-Saharan Africa and Indian Ocean Islands. Engen operates its own transport fleet with approximately 180 bulk fuel tankers.

Today, Engen Petroleum is active in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, Ghana, Gabon, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mauritius, Reunion and Congo-Kinshasa.

                     Before:

IVECO chassis modification, cut off rear axle 
and chassis.

                     After:

Now only, am I happy with this effort, 
100% complete.

Extended the chassis and fitted the drive axle.

Extended the chassis, fitted drive axle and fuel 
storage tank. To fit the Fuel hoses, Dome covers 
and Ladder. (Needing a second drive axle).

To fit the Fuel hoses, Dome covers and Ladder.

To fit the Fuel hoses, Dome covers and Ladder.

Fitted appropriate dome covers and fuel hose. 
Materials used: Flusin S effervescent canister 
(brushed aluminium finish), print media decals, 
16 mm Ega Trunking lid, thin black sleeved 
stranded wire (represents fuel hose) and a thin 

white plastic tube to house the fuel hose....

Almost finished model...

Made and fitted the access ladder...
(about two hours labour)

Made and fitted the access ladder...
(about two hours labour)

In the mean time... added the Fuel 
cantilever plumbing and rubber 
fill hoses at the Mobil Depot.

In the mean time... added the Fuel 

cantilever plumbing and rubber 

fill hoses at the Mobil Depot.

Fitted an extra drive axle to this approximately 
20,000 liter / 5285 gallon Tanker.

.

Fitted the fuel dispenser, inlet and outlet 
valve box and an extra drive axle.

Fitted the Rear Under-run Protection Device 
(RUPD)

Mud guard in place - to be sanded and off she 
goes to the paint shop.

Not too shabby looking. More sanding and then 
back to the paint shop.

Now only am I happy with this 
first attempt, 99.95% complete.
A wee bit too shiny for the 
Layout...

Muddy water and dust weathering.