Considering its age there is noting wrong with the kit. It is just tricky to build but they can come out fantastic if you put some time and work into them. They are not for beginners that is for sure.

I built this kit last year, taking a very methodical procedure in the construction, painting before I glued parts together, and trial fitting before gluing. I have to admit that I would have loved to see the kit more like an Athearn kit, in which the body was moulded in one part, rather than the multiple sections. I was also fortunate to have located somebody in the UK selling some vacu-formed window glazing for the Deltic on eBay. I have resisted trying to work with this kind of kit parts before, so this was my first foray. Fortunately, I was supplied with two sheets, allowing for errors. They fitted well, giving a great end result. I also chose to try replacing the wheels provided with metal or plastic from Triang or Hornby, as I have found from other Kitmaster Dapol kits that the axle joint is a weak spot with a tendency to break. I wasn't happy with the bogie frames, nor the antiquated coupling concept provided, which I chose to leave off. I also chose to paint it in Brunswick Green, as a fanciful hypothetical British Railways modification in the 1950s. All in all, to me it looks okay, but it's no show stopper. The finished construction is too flimsy, the parts have no well defined tabs and like all of the Dapol Kitmaster kits, the supplied wheels' flanges are too squared, occupying half of the tyres of the wheels, and more to the point, for me, it would be almost impossible to try and fit this with a working model locomotive chassis, as the provided chassis of the kit is quintessential to keeping the body together. But, apart from that, the challenge of putting together was all the fun. I have a prairie tank and two ventilated van kits set aside to build sometime, as I am a sucker for punishment.

You have to bear in mind that, back in the day, these kits were a considerable advance on anything else available. Your remarks about " like scratchbuilding" are valid. It was much easier to have these mouldings and use your own skills to turn them into something quite nice, rather than try to build one from "scratch" The moulds were sold to Airfix in 1962 and acquired by Dapol in 1982. So it's not surprising that they aren't as crisp as they were. Many injection moulds haven't lasted nearly so long. It's testament to the quality and solid build of them that they still work quite well today! Look upon them as an experience, putting yourself in the shoes of us who built these 60 years ago. There wasn't anything else!

I have seen some beautifully made models of the Deltic. An experienced modeller, with a bit of work should be able to make a decent job of it.

South Eastern Finecast do a flush glazing kit for this model. Edit. I've built one of these kits and adapted it to accept a Lima chassis. I've got another to build and will use a set of Fox Transfers detailing kits that provide better lining and etched brass plates for the various plates fitted to the full size. I agree, the kit isn't easy to assemble and does require substantial "fettling" in order to get the shut lines looking tidy. Very satisfying when it all comes together though.

I couldn't agree more with all you have said. But frankly it's a minor miracle this kit exists at all and the chances of seeing another Deltic kit are slim.

I built the Dapol water tower which is a similar vintage. I remember the instructions saying to soak in warm water first to even out any warped sections. The model turned out fine and is situated on my layout, even though I was sceptical at first.

I remember this kit from about 1965 and I think it was Kitmaster/Rosebud kit back then, Airfix acquired it about 1967. Looks like Dapol are still using the original tooling. You can try straightening parts out in hot water. Slow process but it does work. I have an Airfix kit of a Battle of Britain pacific from 1968 still in its box with original instructions. it cost 2schillings and 8pence. Some of Dapol's best ex Airfix kits are the 16T mineral wagons , Brake van, cattle wagon, B type tank car and the cement hopper. At least they come with metal wheels and brass bearings now.

It’s a 60 year old kit, Dapol squired the original moulds from Airfix. They were thought to be lost, the original window moulds were destroyed. Unfortunately Dapol use a softer waxy plastic in their kits with very old moulds. If you try building an original Kitmaster version you’ll find it’s a great kit and contains all the glazing, the plastic is much better too with no warping. Dapol have never tried to advertise it as a modern kit, they’ve just saved all the old moulds from being destroyed like 50% of the others which were.

Flash are plastic parts doesn't always mean the tooling is bad. If tooling get bad it can be repaired. It doesn't need replaced.

I put together an Airfix Prairie tank around 1980 and a Drewry shunter and a Pug a few years later. Fun enough, no massive parts to warp and plastic was hard and dependable when gluing. Revell kits of large German locos were also a good experience.

Dear Zoe, as other commentators have advised, this kit is quite old, and originated with Kitmaster, was acquired by Airfix, but not re-introduced, and when Dapol acquired the moulds from Airfix, the window moulding, which uses a different clear plastic, was either not available, or not useable. When I built Airfix kits in the 1960s, the standard advice was to always wash the plastic mouldings in water with dishwashing detergent, then wash off with plain, clean water. This process removed the plastic moulding release agent, and the clean water removed the detergent film. I still do this with any plastic kit. The advice to use warm ( not hot ) water to straighten out warped plastic is sound, but as others have indicated, this has probably occurred due to the quality of the feedstock. If you want to glaze your model, try Ferro Rocher, or similar, clear plastic boxes as source material ( the curved corners are useful ! ). This is all a learning process, some kits work out better than others, and in this particular instance, the cost is relatively modest. ( Some aircraft and ship plastic kits cost in excess of GBP100-. ) Do NOT be discouraged, this is how we have all learned, and after all, it is a hobby done for pleasure. ( My late Mum was a knitter, and some patterns proved to be diabolical. ) Good on you for being willing enough to make this video, it is a worthwhile and helpful contribution, best wishes and regards from Australia.

I have built a few of the kitmaster models and I would say your comments apply across the range. There have been several times that parts just don't go together well enough. Or you fit them together and then find later on in the build that they don't join correctly to another assembly. This is worse as the adhesive is set hard at that point.

I assembled the Dapol footbridge - and found that the parts didn't fit,the decking was twisted, and the side rails were very slightly different lengths, only 1mm or so, but it leaves gaps where there shouldn't BE gaps!

I have another Deltic with no cab detail inside,is it worth buying the kit to replicate the cab interior ? Thankyou.

Way back in the 70s I was given an original kitmaster kit for a Mark 1 carriage. Different plastic but the body sides roof and frame didn't hold together. Nothing new!

Wonderful video Zoe, Jenny and everyone

It looks like this kit needs updating. I remember a certain manufacturer used softer plastics in their aeroplane kits so the glue seemed to take forever to set. Airfix seemed better in this respect. Well done for giving it a try. Best wishes Paul.

Not wishing to sound rude but I totally disagree with this lady. In light of the fact that the kit and original molds are over 60 years old which means they are older than me in the early 80s when Dapol were still at Wells Street in Winsford I purchased the kit and assembled it within 90 minutes. I found it easy to assemble it travelled well around the layout when propelled or hauled by a powered loco and lasted me for 20+ years. I was happy with it, so much so that I'm thinking of aquirering another one now

Hi Zoe, what glue did you use? I have had great luck with using Tamiya Extra thin to help models that do not fit well as you can put a little glue on hold that are and it sets in just a few minutes, short enough you can hold the parts while it sets. It also melts the plastic together so when set it is just plastic all the way thru the bond and not glue at all. Just a thought. Nothing is more frustrating than having a model you really want to turn out and it fights you all the way! Thanks for the review and sorry that it was so frustrating. I’m sure it would be frustrating for any modeler! All the best and take care!

Going by the Dapol re-issue of the old Airfix platform kit, they're using the original tooling, and it had suffered over the years...

I have been given 2 of these as presents, will be giving 1 a go at converting to a running model yikes !

Got to say it as it is Zoe. Disappointing to hear parts dont go together and no windows. Did you use a tube of poly cement or the liquid in a jar? I find the liquid in a har is always best as a tube just let's too much glue out and takes an age to dry out.

The Tardis is behind you.

Dont knock the Model that is the Grandad of the industrie which indirectly gave u your Job. Respect it for what it is. A antique gem. Airfix Kits have to be stuck and bound together with string. Leave a couple of days binded together untill glue set.

Sorry, but the kit is likely to have been moulded on the original moulds, and as a kit that was designed and produced over 40 years ago that should not have come as a surprise. All the Dapol kits are like this - it is well known that to build any of their ex Kitmaster kits some model making expertise is required. This is not a model that you can just throw together. I have other Dapol kits that I have assembled, for example the Turntable which to fit in my model and to make DCC controlled required considerable modification. As far as glazing is concerned, they [the kits] probably were unglazed when introduced, however a little research will find that Finecast supply or at least supplied a specific Flushglaze window kit (SE95) for the Dapol Deltic prototype. This is still available. In combination with a Lima Deltic chassis, these make a very reasonably priced alternative to the Bachman offering, admittedly some compromises have to be made, if the Lima bogies are retained then they will not be prototypical, however converting the bogies with the Dapol parts is possible but not for the faint hearted. Redesigning for "today" would be very expensive and probably result in the total loss of all the existing moulds, the result would be a drastic increase in price probably in the order of the newly released Airfix Spitfire kit at £80. for a little more than that you can pick up a second hand Bachman Deltic prototype

Nice to see Jenny let you out in the sun cupboard monkey. 🤣 I've made some Dapol models before but not this one. Looking at model kits as a whole, the Tamiya ones seem so easy that there's no challenge. Airfix and Dapol you need to massage them a little bit more. As you say, not putting windows in because they are not sure what they were is a big nono. Looking forward to the next monkey build 👍

I had one a few years back, and it was the most awful kit I have ever come across. Flush Glaze make/or made a set of windows for this kit...... I was glad when I was able to get one of the Bachmann RTR models.

There is nothing like a real challenge. Have a look on RMwebb and there will be some advice on building the Dapol Deltic kit. Tony Wright of Bytham fame has one that has been motorised and runs on his Little Bytham layout.

Nothing wrong with it, it is meant to go with a sacrificial Lima Deltic, to make it operational! 😂 Only joking. With new level of highly detailed Model offerings, manufacturers must check their kit moulds to ensure they can fit together correctly. If they don't, they're going to push modellers down the route of self resin builds! A certain well-known Railway Model KZfaqr has successfully pulled off a highly detailed 3D resin models, printed to build as a kit. This shows what is possible and with back copies of the Drawings in the Railway Modeller a lot of unique rolling stock can be produced eliminating the monopoly the manufacturers had!

The plastics used in modern kits (especially Airfix and Dapol) are rubbish. The grey plastic used is recycled and doesn't stick together well using the usual glues or solvents.

Not the highest rated Deltic of the Year so far! Good on you for having a go at that on Zoe. It's not easy building an oddly shaped box like that. The bogies must've been fun too! I put a more diminutive model from the same makers, with flashing and bits that were a bit 'bent' but I was able to put 'glazing' in mine. I have an 'Evening Star' one on the 'To Do' list so I'll find out if that fits out any better. Thanks Zoe. Keep Safe. Cheers!

I had an original kit of the Deltic which fell apart very shortly after I made it. I still have the empty box from that kit and bought the Dapol kit to try and recreate it but that looks like an idea that may not work.

Zoe great review the issue with Dapol they seem to never put their model's together and they have little respect for the customer. Myself one would be better off scratch building then being frustrated with a crappy model.

I built both the original and the Dapol/Kitmaster versions and I agree, something has got lost in translation. It was only through judicious use of clamps and rubber bands that I actually got the modern one to hang together,

old rosebud kit

Just buy the Accurascale Deltic and save yourself the hassle!!

🤪🤪

Not a good kit. But it looks ok at 6 feet distance

Oh.... well I won't be buying this anytime soon then. If you struggled then I've got NO CHANCE 🤣🤣👍

Send it back as not complete and get a full refund

Would be good for a scrapyard loco to weather to hell and back, then shove in a far siding and forget about..

Mountain? Molehill?

Always been crap these kits. Try the railbus 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

I have often looked at buying one of these kits, so I thank you for your honest review and I shall stay clear of it. Martin. (Thailand)

It’s a 60 year old kit, Dapol squired the original moulds from Airfix. They were thought to be lost, the original window moulds were destroyed. Unfortunately Dapol use a softer waxy plastic in their kits with very old moulds. If you try building an original Kitmaster version you’ll find it’s a great kit and contains all the glazing, the plastic is much better too with no warping. Dapol have never tried to advertise it as a modern kit, they’ve just saved all the old moulds from being destroyed like 50% of the others which were.

wonderful video Zoe, Jenny and everyone