No.90 Etched Plates or not?
There seems to be some confusion as to what constitutes ‘etched plates’. My understanding is that they are made from thin metal sheet, usually copper or steel, which have been dipped in an acid solution. Printing an image of the name or number onto the metal plate ensures that only the exposed or non printed areas of the plate are etched by the acid, leaving the original letters or numbers standing out in relief.
Some early Jackson Evans Etched Plates
I have been fitting etched plates to my model engines for
quite some time.
Dapol 14xx with I think Kings X Plates
The picture above of the Dapol 14xx illustrates clearly how
the numbers on the etched metal plate stand proud from the background of the
plate.
In the early 1980s I used to buy Kings X plates - these came
on one sheet of metal and required the use of nail scissors and files to cut
them to shape. Cutting the ‘reverse’ curves beneath the curved name plate was
always a challenge.
Airfix Pendennis Castle renamed 7037 Swindon
Later I graduated to Jackson Evans plates which were etched
in such a way that the individual plates could be easily separated from the
surround as shown above in my first picture.
In the early days I used PVA to attach my plates on the
assumption that I would be able to wash off any surplus adhesive and at a later
date I could perhaps remove the plates. (In practice PVA does not make a good
bond between metal and plastic and the plates can be readily prised away – the
difficulty comes in removing the dry PVA.)
Airfix must have made ‘millions’ of Castles and I remember
buying two or three from Hattons when they were selling them off, all of which
were renamed with either Kings X or Jackson Evans plates.
Airfix Pendennis Castle renamed 7037 Swindon
My sole surviving Airfix Castle is renamed Swindon but I
cannot now remember whether the plates were Jackson Evans or Kings X – it was
some time ago.
Dapol County (of Stafford) with Jackson Evans Plates
It wasn’t just Airfix Castles that got the ‘treatment’ but
also Dapol Counties!
Dapol County (of Stafford) with Jackson Evans Plates
After Airfix, came Mainline and then Bachmann.
Bachmann ‘Seagull’ with Bachmann etched plates
From time to time Bachmann models were produced and supplied
with etched plates – certainly A4s such as Seagull and Guillemot came with
etched plates as standard, as did special editions such as Sir Nigel Gresley
and the pair of Mallards, not forgetting Silver Fox in the Elizabethan boxed
set.
Bachmann ‘Seagull’ etched works plate
In addition to etched name plates the Bachmann A4s came with
etched works plates to fit beneath the engine number on the side of the cab.
Bachmann etched plates for Evening Star
Bachmann still provide etched plates with ‘special’ models,
one such being Evening Star. The view above shows the ‘fret’ before cutting out
the plates.
Bachmann Evening Star with Fox etched plates
My first Bachmann Evening Star came off that well known
auction site – minus etched plates, which were sourced instead from Fox Plates.
Hornby R3191 Duke of Gloucester ‘Special Edition’
Hornby have recently started to market ‘Special Edition’
engines with supposedly ‘etched plates.
Hornby plastic imitation supposed ‘etched plates’
Hornby pretend etched plates seem to be rather poorly made
plastic imitations.
My Duke of Gloucester with Model Master / Jackson proper
etched plates
As you will see I have fitted my Duke of Gloucester with
Jackson plates from Model Master. I have experimented and they are attached
with some narrow double sided tape (borrowed from my wife's store of craft
materials).
In my view Hornby with their imitation plastic ‘etched
plates’ are either incompetent or at worst dishonest. I think it is time that
they clarified their position and hopefully put their house in order.
Comments