Issue #21 --- Mar. 2001 · 2015-01-13 · #126A Flat Trunion $1.15 I have some material for the...

CanadianMeccaNotes--- Issue #21 ---

Mar. 2001

The 1922 Manualof Instructions

2 Canadian MeccaNotes March 2001123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212341234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123412345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345

© Copyright 2001C.M.A.M.A.S. and/or Indi-

vidual Contributors.Meccano and Erector are registered tradenames and are used throughout Canadian

MeccaNotes by kind permission ofMeccano S.A.., Meccano Inc. and Irwin

Toy Ltd. of Toronto.

North American subscribers to CanadianMeccaNotes are automatically members of

the Canadian Modeling Association forMeccano and Allied Systems (CMAMAS).

Canadian MeccaNotesThe �Canadian MeccaNotes� (ISSN 1207-2249) newsletter is published 4 times peryear (March, June, September and De-cember) by the Canadian Modeling Asso-ciation for Meccano & Allied Systems(CMAMAS).

�Written and produced by Meccano en-thusiasts for Meccano enthusiasts.�

Canadian Modeling Association forMeccano & Allied Systems (CMAMAS)130 Neptune Drive, Suite 1109Toronto, OntarioCANADA M6A 1X5

http://www.edmc.net/cmamas/

[email protected]

CMAMAS ExecutivePresident ... Colin Hoare, 18 Tweedle St.,Glen Williams, Ontario, Canada L7G 3S5,[email protected], (905)873-8261

Vice President ... Attila Szakonyi, 78 GihonSpring Drive, Rexdale, Ontario, CanadaM9V 4X9, [email protected],(416)741-1652

Treasurer ... Marsha Brandston, 130 Nep-tune Drive, Suite 1109, Toronto, Ontario,Canada M6A 1X5,[email protected]

Secretary ... Colin Hinz, 148 Howland Ave.,Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 3B5,[email protected], (416)516-8686

Editor/Webmaster ... David Williams, 3017- 111A Street, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaT6J 3Y5, [email protected],(780)438-1197

Subscriptions(4 Issues Per Calendar Year)

o within North America: Canada - $30;U.S.A. - US$28 Make cheque or moneyorder payable to CMAMAS, mail to Trea-surer, address above.

o elsewhere: rates upon inquiry, availablefrom MW Models, address on page 27.

Editor�s NotesMany thanks to Scott Pitts, IvorSetten, Don Redmond, Ted vanKlink, Bob Platford, Colin Hoare,Colin Hinz and others for supply-ing articles for this issue.

On page 3 I have reproduced aposter for the Moose Jaw HobbyShow on Friday-Saturday, March30-31, 2001. All are welcome.For more information contact BillBardutz, [email protected],(306) 586-9589.

Wanted: news of upcoming hobby shows to beadded to the CMAMAS website.

John Overeem reports as of January 2001 thathe now has the following new parts available:

#24 Bush Wheel (Brass) $3.50#24A Wheel Disc (Brass) $2.25#22 1" Pulley (Brass) $4.00#126 Trunion $1.20#126A Flat Trunion $1.15

I have some material for the next issue but I�ll beneeding more. I have some gems from MichaelStephens, Ivor Setten, Ted Klink and others inreserve for future issues.

As always, the newletter is only as good as thecontributors. Your articles, photos, model plans,short news items, want, sales and swap ads arewanted. Items in machine readable form (e-mail,diskette) are prefered but everything is accept-able, including good old HB. If desired, yourmaterial can also be posted on our website. It�sa great idea to document photos on the backusing post-it notes. If you�d like any part of yoursubmissions returned, please say so; otherwiseI will keep everything.

March 2001 Canadian MeccaNotes 3

Robot WarsMessage to Meccano Meet Organizers. I�d like tocompete in �Tug-o-War� and/or �Climb� eventsaround the world, suitable for a single 6v MOpowered model, with the help of a local proxymechanic. Please contact David Lawrence [email protected]

The 1922 Manual ofInstructions

1922 saw great strides in the Meccano system.New parts were being announced almost on amonthly basis and the November 1922 MeccanoMagazine contained the announcement for thefabulous Meccano Set 7 - who was lucky enoughto receive this set for Christmas? The pinnacle ofthe nickel plate era was fast approaching.

With the Set 7 come the inevitable Manual ofInstruction which is really worth a detailed ex-amination. It is quite a fine job as it containsmany clear halftone illustrations, just the kind ofthing historians like to get their tooth into. Therewere many new models but also the manual waspadded out with old rehashed subjects, somegoing as far back 93 the key-fixing days a decadeearlier. There are signs of a hurried job too, as thelists of parts required to construct the modelscontain many errors. In view of the number of�first sightings� in this manual I thought it would

be a good idea to examine themodels more closely and thefollowing are my findings. Ihave only looked at the half-tone illustrations as the linedrawings are the old models.Given that it takes time to pre-pare a manual, even if it is arushed job, this would date allthe parts to mid 1922 at thelatest.

See also: front cover, backcover, pages 5, 12, 13 & 14.

Ivor Setten

Please note that I plan to publish the June 2001issue around June 1, 2001 so the final deadlineis May 25, 2001.

David Williams

Table of Contents

The 1922 Manual of Instructions 1Editor�s Notes 2Robot Wars 3The 1922 Manual of Instructions 3Presidential Perusings 4Long Motor 5Radio Controlled Labyrinth - Part 2 of 2 6Meccano Parts News 14Hydroelectric Generator 15Braced Girders - The Liverpool Years 16Dutch Glory along the Thames 23The Peddler 26The 1922 Manual of Instructions 28


Presidential PerusingsThis is the time of year when we send out copiesof the latest issue of �Canadian MeccaNotes� toeveryone who subscribed the previous year,with a reminder that this isthe final issue that they willreceive unless they remit theirmoney to the Treasurer. Nor-mally, we anticipate that be-tween 30-45% of subscriberswill need reminding. This year,however, we only have 33Canadian subscribers, andonly two American subscrib-ers who have not yet renewed.This, in my view, is a reflec-tion on the quality of the maga-zine, and particularly its Edi-tor, David Williams. On behalf of the Executive,my thanks to everyone who has renewed (onesubscriber has renewed until 2008!) - and, onbehalf of every subscriber, my thanks to Davidfor his excellent work.

From a Meccano standpoint - at least, as far asI am concerned, the best two months of the yearare November and March. Admittedly, thesetwo months are possibly the most disliked whenit comes to weather, as one heralds the start ofwinter, the other the (possible) end of four monthsor more of snow, ice and below-zero tempera-tures.

Why do I like these two months? Well, Novemberis the month of The Hobby Show, so, being aresident of Southern Ontario, the reason is obvi-ous. There are no shows in March now, but thisis the month when there is a convergence of thepublication of all of the best Meccano maga-zines, including �Canadian MeccaNotes.� Beingan information scientist by training, I have a loveof literature, and there is a lot of material avail-able. So much, in fact, that the sole limit is thedepth of one�s pocket - plus linguistic abilities.

Apart from our own magazine, �ConstructorQuarterly,� the North Midlands Meccano Guild�The Meccano Newsmag,� The SheffieldMeccano Guild �SMG Circular� and theRunnymede Meccano Guild Gazette are all sched-uled to published. Admittedly, my good friendRobin Johnson, who publishes �ConstructorQuarterly,� has jumped the gun this year in thatthe March issue has already been mailed out tosubscribers, but it means that we (well, I) canexpect to receive four more before the end of themonth. There might even be a new ModelPlan

from MW Models as well.

I have praised the quality of �Constructor Quar-terly� before in this magazine, but the latestissue is one that provides the best mix of bothlarge and small models. I expect to see AlanPartridge�s Ping Pong Ball Bouncing Machineappearing at various shows around the world -even here in November - and some of the othersas well. If anyone who does not subscribe, butwould like details, you can either drop me a line,or send me an e-mail.

Sadly, one of the British based magazines will beceasing publication after its next issue has beensent out. The �Midlands Meccano Guild Ga-zette,� which first appeared in January 1978,has had its ups and downs over the years, andonly twenty-one issues have ever appeared.They may have been small in number, but thequality was of the highest, with some excellentmodels accompanied by full instructions. TheExecutive has, however, decided that there arecurrently too many magazines chasing insuffi-cient material, so the magazine will stop (al-though the Newsletter that they publish willincrease in size and content).

The twelfth issue of the �Midlands MeccanoGuild Gazette,� which was published in Septem-ber 1987, was dedicated to the modeling skills ofBert Halliday, who sadly is no longer with us.Bert was a bicycle repairman when he was notbuilding models, and he used his mechanicalknowledge to great effect. In this issue, detailswere given of �A Comprehensive Rolling Mecha-nism.� This is a model that I subsequently built,and have used to curve Strips and Flexible Plates.Bert used his version to curve Rack Strips aswell, but my model had problems with metalthat thick. The disadvantage with the model isthat it is heavy on brassware, notably Couplingsand Gears.

When I was in Britain last October, however, Idecided to take the plunge and buy one of thecustom-built units that are available from GMModels (not to be confused with MW Models).The unit, including shipping to an address inEngland, cost around £51, or $115.00. Apartfrom anything else, I acquired three 26-toothpinions, which are used to get the rollers torotate. As a result of acquiring this useful device,the aforementioned Bert Halliday device wasdismantled, and the current value of the piecespriced using MW Models price list. The currentcost came to over £200! Even if you treat thevalue of the parts as 50% of the acquisition costs,


it still is twice the cost of the unit.

Those of you who subscribe to either �Construc-tor Quarterly� or �The Meccano Newsmag� willknow that there will be a celebration dinner inhonour of the 100th Anniversary of the firstMeccano patent on the Saturday of the SkegExexhibition. We are planning a similar event at theHobby Show in November (preliminary details inthis issue) - so that, even if you miss SkegEx thisyear (or even if you don�t) you can look forwardto such an event in November.

Meccano Parts NewsThe sale of the parts that we have purchasedfrom Irwin Toys has been extremely successful,and the Executive wants to thank everyone whopurchased items. Because we have a lot of stockof certain parts, including some Gears, we havenow put together job lots of parts. The value ofthese parts is around $48.00 each, but they arepriced at only $10.00 - plus shipping, as always.Contact the Treasurer if you are interested - asalways, it is first come, first served.

Ashok Banerjee, as many readers are aware, is aMeccano enthusiast in India, who has gone intothe production of Meccano spare parts. We haverecently appointed been appointed by Ashok asofficial agents for his parts for Canada. The firstorder of parts has now arrived, and consists oflong Angle Girders, Handrail Couplings (gold-plated, as a bonus) and cheesehead Nuts andBolts. Prices are as listed on Ashok�s Website,although the Association will be earning a smallcommission that will go towards the publicationof the Magazine.

Colin Hoare

Long MotorWould it surprise you that Meccano produced 65different motors between 1913 and 1971? Andhow many modelers use Meccano in their mas-terpieces today? Or should the question be�How many non-Meccano motors do they use?�This array of old motors says something aboutthe history of electricity in the 20th century.

At the November 2000 Hobby Show a Meccanomotor fell into my hands, of a kind I had nothandled before. It�s a 4-volt sideplate motor 5x2inches. with a sort of gearshift-style reversinglever, and it was in rather tired condition. Alsoat the show was Joe Long, who is best knownfor makimg beautiful renovations and reproduc-tions of Gilbert Erector items. Joe kindly offeredto restore the Meccano motor for me. Now itsparkles like new � not bad for a 1916 item! Notlong ago, Joe had also renovated for me anAmerican Model Builder motor of about thesame age, and it too runs like new.

Now that we have cheap compact low-voltagepower packs and rechargeable batterries, iti�sworth dusting off those old Meccano motors.Joe Long may be able to give them new life! Askhim: Joseph A. Long, 80 W. 4th St., Freeport NY11520-5734 USA.

One problem with the Meccano motor describedabove, is that the shaft is only 0.012 in. diameter� less than 1/8in. and much smaller than stan-dard Meccano axles. Pressed onto the shaft is a10-tooth pinion which will mesh with a 57-toothgear on a shaft in the sideplates. But what if youwant to use a belt {rubber driving band}? Eventhose handy new little Meccano rubber pulleysare too loose. Wrap the shaft with plastic tape

and then use a Meccano rub-ber pulley (23C). And you don�thave to mutilate anything!

Don Redmond (the Old Muti-lator}


Radio ControlledLabyrinthPart 2 of 2

Designed and built by Scott Pitts.Instructions prepared by Colin Hoare.

The Lift TowerThis part of the model holds the ArchimedeanScrew assembly. Two 12½� Angle girders arebolted centrally to the frame by their round holesat their eleventh and twenty-first holes from thetop, with the elongated flanges facing outwards,and being 5 ½� apart. They are Joined at theirfourth holes from the top by a 5½� Strip that isbraced by two Corner Gussets: note that at thispoint a pair of Reversed Angle Brackets shouldalso be fixed in place to the Strip. The Girders are

extended upwards by a pair of 5½� AngleGirders overlapping them by two holes, butin this case, the elongated flanges are facinginwards: another pair of Corner Gussets arenow bolted to these latter Girders at the top.In addition, another Corner Gusset is boltedto the left-hand Angle Girder covering holesfifteen to twenty, with a Single Arm Crankattached by its central hole at the lowerpoint, but spaced from the Girder by a singlenut.

A rectangular box is now assembled, start-ing with pairs of 5 ½� Angle Girders that arenow attached at the top and bottom, ex-tending away from the frame, with twomore Corner Gussets being used as bracingon the lower pairs. Note that the 12½�Angle Girders are also extended downwardsby two holes, using 2½� Angle Girders. The5½� Angle Girders are Joined by a pair of12½� Angle Girders, again with the lowerpair being reinforced by Corner Gussets. Inaddition, another 5½� Angle Girder is bolted


to the same girders by its elongated holes,with the round holes facing inwards, i.e.towards the frame, two holes in from theend. The Girder is pushed inwards as muchas the elongated holes will allow, and hasa 2½� Strip bolted centrally to it, beneaththe Girder. A Trunnion is also bolted cen-trally to the girder by the round holes, withthe lug below: on the west side, the attach-ment is made by a Bolt that also carries anAngle Bracket and a Collar. The frame iscompleted by bolting 5½� Angle Girders inplace horizontally, with four more CornerGussets providing both reinforcement andalignment. The lower Angle Girder, it mustbe stressed, is attached to the penultimatehole of the 12½� Angle Girders. One moreCorner Gusset should be added at this timeon the left, with the �arm� in line with theCorner Gusset/Single Arm Crank assemblymentioned above. Also, a 1½� Insulated

Flat Girder should be bolted in place as shown onthe east side of the lowest 5½� Angle Girder.

On the upper pair of 5½� Angle Girders, another5½� Angle Girder is also fixed in the central holeby its round holes, and with the elongated holesfacing outwards. To this, a Flat Trunnion and aTrunnion are bolted centrally. A second Trun-nion is bolted centrally to the outside 5½� AngleGirder, and, in addition, the two Girders arejoined by a 3" Strip at the penultimate hole on theeast side. The Archimedean screw assembly cannow be placed in position: The Screwed RodAdapter passes through the Trunnion, and has aMultipurpose Gear Wheel attached to it on theother side. A 2½� Rod is clamped into thelongitudinal bore of the Threaded Coupling, whichpasses through the central hole of the 5½� AngleGirder, and carries, beneath it, a Collar and asecond Multipurpose Gear Wheel. The upperMultipurpose Gear Wheel is in mesh with a thirdsuch Gear (boss outwards) on a 3½� Rodjournalled in the apices of the two Trunnions: italso carries a Washer behind the Gear, a 19-


tooth Pinion, and asecond Washer witha Collar at the far end.

The guides for the ver-tical lift should be builtnext. This follows thedesign of Mike Cuffsmarble bouncer. Startby taking a 12½� FlatGirder and passing a1 1/8" Bolt (without aWasher) through thethird, seventh andtwenty-third holesround holes from thebottom, and clampingit in place. Each ofthese Bolts has a sec-ond nut fitted, fol-lowed by the first oftwo 12 ½� Strips to

which is bolted a five-hole 2" Strip at one end.By adjusting the nuts, a gap of about ¼�between the Flat Girder and the Strip is cre-ated. The Strip should then be locknutted inplace. Next, three more nuts are added, one toeach Bolt, and the second 12½� Strip is placedover these bolts and clamped in place withfurther nuts. Note that this Strip, in addition toanother five-hole 2" Strip being bolted to it,also has an Angle Bracket attached to thepenultimate hole, to which is bolted a Hinge.The gap this time is approximately ½�. An-other nut is placed over the seventh andtwenty-third bolts, and a 9½� Flat Girder isbolted by its round holes such that its top is inline with the 12½� Flat Girder.

The guide is now bolted in place by means ofthe Angle Bracket attached to the third 5½�Angle girder at the base, with two Washersused as spacing, and by ¾� Bolts that passthrough the central holes of the 2" Strips, andbolted to the two Reversed Angle Brackets.Note that 2½� Strips are attached at this timeas well. To the latter, compound 7" Stripsmade from a 4½� and a 3½� Strip overlappedtwo holes are locknutted in place. These areJoined by a Double Angle Bracket at the fifthhole from the end, and a Cylinder is fixed inplace by means of a 3/8" Bolt using three nuts,two of which are locknutted around the DoubleAngle Bracket, and the third clamped to the


Cylinder. To complete the extension, Fishplatesare attached at the ends, but the angle at whichthey need to be set can only be determined oncethe plastic plate is in position. Two other attach-ments are a 1½� Strip that is fixed to the left-hand 2½� Strip which in turn has a microswitchattached to it, and the �cover,� made from a 5½�Transparent Flexible Plate, bolted to both 2½�Strips, using standard bolts, but with spacingCreated by the use of nuts.

A 5½� Strip is now bolted in place on the westside of the tower, at the sixteenth 2 hole from thetop. Next, take a 1½� x ½� Double Angle Strip,and fix two Insulating Spacers to it, 1" apart,each spaced from the Strip by a Washer. Jointhis unit to a second 1½� x ½� Double AngleStrip to form a small rectangle, with a DoubleBracket Joining them in the centre, preventingthem from moving out of alignment. Bolt a 1½�Insulated Flat Girder to the other end of theInsulating Spacer. At the same time, add one 1"and two 2" Wiper Arms to the assembly, with thelonger Wiper Arms being between the two Insu-lated parts, and then attach the assembly to the5½� Strip. Also positioned on the west side is a1½� Flat Girder, attached to the upper 5½� AngleGirder, to which in turn is bolted a pair of flatTrunnions.

On the south side of the tower, a 5½� AngleGirder is bolted in place at the ninth hole from thebase: with both it and the Girder below it carry

2½� Narrow Stripsbolted centrally inplace. 1" Triangu-lar Plates are fixedto the sides of the12 ½� Angle Gird-ers, covering holes10 and 11 from thetop: a 5 ½� DoubleAngle Strip linksthe two, withWashers filling thegaps on eitherside. To thisDouble Angle Stripis bolted a 1 ½�Angle girder by itsround holes on theright, to which a 1½� Corner Bracketis bolted. This


Bracket has a Double Pole Double Throw switchbolted to it using the T-shaped hole. The AngleGirder also has an identical assembly to thatdescribed in the previous paragraph, except thatonly one 1½� Wiper Arm is present. To completethe attachments to the south side, 1½� AngleGirders are fixed by their elongated holes to thetwo Angle Girders on the south side, coveringholes 5 to 7 from the top.

On the east side of the tower, an additional 12½�Angle Girder is bolted in place by its round holes,1" away from the south-east corner Angle Girder.The two are joined by a pair of 1 ½� Strips thatcarry a Trunnion.

A Richards Motor M-1, set at the 12:1 ratio, isnow bolted in place on top of the tower, using

the 3" Strip and the adjacent 5 ½� AngleGirder. A Worm on its drive shaft meshes2 with the 25-tooth Pinion referred toabove, on a 3½� Rod, journalled in thetwo Trunnions. The bore of the Wormalso serves to act as a bearing for a 3" Rodthat is also journalled in the pair of FlatTrunnions bolted to the 1½� Flat Girder.The Rod is held in place by a Collar, andhas a ½� Pulley without Boss loosemounted on it. A second (non-Meccano)motor M-2 is attached to a Trunnion fixedto the east side of the tower referred toabove, taking advantage of the triangu-lar-shaped holes to bolt it in place. Aworm on the drive shaft meshes with a50-tooth Gear on a 6½� Rod that isjournalled in the two 1½� Angle Girdersas well as the south-east 12½� AngleGirder. This Rod also carries a 57-toothGear, a Bush Wheel to which are bolted,at adjacent holes, two Angle Brackets bytheir elongated holes and an InsulatedBush Wheel carrying Contact Screws andStuds in all eight holes. The Rod is kept inplace by a retaining Collar at one end, andby spacing Washers between the 1½�Angle Girder and the Gear on the other.The Contact Studs, as their name implies,are in contact with something - in fact,two things, the 1" and 1½� Wiper Arms.The 57-tooth Gear is in mesh with a 19-tooth Pinion on a 5" Rod that also carriesa pair of 1 1/8" Flanged Wheels and aretaining Collar. A length of string tiedround the drum created by the twoFlanged Wheels then passes over the ½�Pulley without Boss, and a 1" Pulley looseon a 4½� Rod journalled in the topmost

pair of Corner Gussets, and is tied off to the sideof the Cylinder.

To complete all the construction work on theTower, a 5½� Rod is passed through the two2½� Narrow Strips attached to the 5½� AngleGirders on the south side. This Rod is held inplace by a pair of Collars fixed on either side ofthe lower Girder, and has a Multipurpose GearWheel attached to it that is in mesh with theidentical Gear fixed to the base of theArchimedean Screw, and a small Helical Gear.The latter is in mesh with a large Helical Gear ona 6½� Rod journalled in two Corner Gussets,with the Rod being held in place by Collars. Alsoon this Rod is a 15-tooth Pinion that mesheswith a 60-tooth Gear on a second 6½� Rod,


journalled in the same Corner Gussets. Mountedon this Rod is a second Insulated Bush Wheel towhich is attached eight Contact Studs andScrews. These Studs are in continuous contactwith the three Wiper Arms attached to the Insu-lated Flat Girder.

The Ball Return TrackOnce the ball has fallen through one of the holes,and drops onto the collector, it rolls through thelooped Transparent Flexible Plate, and on to aReturn Track that is built from a series of Strips,Flat Girders and Formed Slotted Strips, the lattercurved to shape as appropriate, with the widthof the track being approximately 0.7" through-out. Extensive use is made of the slotted holesso that the rail can be adjusted as necessary. Thetwo rails are bolted together using either 2", 1 ½�or 1" Screwed Rods, or 1 1/8" or ¾� Bolts. This isperhaps the trickiest part of the model, and thephotographs should be viewed carefully to seewhich Screwed Rod or Bolt is used at whichpoint. A retaining outer �wall,� made from aseries of Transparent Flexible Plates is also in-stalled as the rail track progresses. This wall isbuilt from four 5½� x 1½� Plates, and one 2½� x1½� Plate. Two 5½� x 1½� Plates are alsoinstalled on the inside at different locations.

The Track commences with a pair of 2½� Stripsthat are Joined at their first, second and fifthholes. 2½� Stepped Curved Strips are attachedat the first hole, one of which is bolted to the first5½� x 1½� Transparent Flexible Plate. The Stripsare joined to a pair of Formed Slotted Strips,followed by a second pair, with the latter over-lapped two holes. Next, 1½� Strips are attached,followed by 4½� Flat Girders. An Angle Bracketbolted to the first hole of the inner such girdercarries a Hinge to which is fixed a home-made 4"x ½� Angle Bracket. Also attached to the Girderis a microswitch (S3) using small nuts and boltsthat lifts the Angle Bracket slightly. At the otherend of the Flat girders, two more pairs of FormedSlotted Strips are installed to create the second90 degree curve, followed by a pair of 9½� Stripsand a pair of 2" Strips, overlapped two holes. Asingle 3" Flat Girder covers the first six holes ofthe outer 9½� Strip, and has an Angle Bracketbolted to it, along with a second microswitch(S1). To the Angle Bracket a Hinge is attached,to which is bolted a home-made 5" x ½� AngleBracket. The track is held in place at four points.First, a 5" Rod passed through the lowest hole ofthe 3" Strips bolted to the frame is also passedthrough the central holes of the 2½� Strips.

Secondly, a 5½� Strip is bolted to the U-shaped5½� Channel Girders in the south-west cornerthat are used to provide the feet. The Strip andgirder are overlapped three holes, and this Stripin turn has an Angle Bracket bolted to it at itspenultimate hole. To this is attached a Fishplatethat is Joined to the track by an Obtuse AngleBracket. The third point of attachment is anAngle Bracket that joins the track to the CornerGusset at the south-west corner, and the finalpoint of attachment is the inner 2" Strip that isfixed to the 12½� Strip that forms part of theguide for the Archimedean Screw.

Electrical WiringThe last step is to wire up the model - whichrequires a bit of patience. To do this, it isnecessary to acquire a small four-unit electricalTerminal Strip, to which various leads will besoldered, as well as plenty of two-strand wiring.In the model, this Terminal Strip is located to-wards the bottom of the tower, on the right, asseen from the south side. The leads from theRichards motor are taken to this board, and aresoldered to the first and third positions. Twostrand wiring from the first and second positionsthen go to the second of the Microswitches (S1)on the Return Track. The two-strand wiring fromthe first of the Microswitches (S3) on the ReturnTrack is connected to the adjacent holes on the1½� Insulated Flat Girder on the south side of thetower, as is the wiring from the Microswitch (S2)at the top of the Archimedean Screw. Refer to thewiring diagram for the complete schematic,motors and inslated bush wheels with contactstuds.

Concluding RemarksAdjustments of the level of microswitches iscritical as the marble needs to pass over them,closing the switch early, as the ball travels overthe 11 hole strip, the strip should slow (not stop)the ball long enough for the motor to start themovement of the insulated bush wheel to movepast the wiper arms and provide consistentpower to the motor. Adjustment of voltage is avariable to be considered also. It should be highenough to give the contacts on the wipers enoughoverthrow without the motors stopping so thenext cycle will start and continue.

The model provides hours of handoff functionand the operator develops proficiency in movingthe marble around the table without dropping inone of the 17 holes. Good luck.


Wiring Diagram For The RadioControlled Labyrinth


M1 - Drive motor for Archimedes ScrewM2 - Drive Motor for raising and lowering track for ball return to center of table.S1 - Switch for starting motor Ml (Radio Shack micro switch 275-017) in return track.S2 - Upper switch at entry to track leading to center of table (Radio Shack 275-017)S3 - Lower switch in return track (Radio Shack 275-017)W1 - Insulated Bush Wheel 8 hole p/n 514 holding 8 Contact Studs and Terminal Nuts

Part Numbers 542 & 544. Three wipers are used on W1 2 of p/n 532 and one of 531.

The Terminal Nuts are wired together on the rear side connecting 7 of the 8 studs.

W2 Insulated Bush Wheel 8 hole p/n 514 holding 8 Contact Studsand Terminal Nuts. Part Numbers 542 & 544. Two wipers are mountedon a 3 hole insulated flat girder, using a long wiper p/n 532 anda short wiper PIN 531. The Terminal nuts are connected together,however there is no connection between the last stud and thefirst on the insulated bush wheel. (see the diagram)

Non Meccano Parts and Accessories

- A copy of the Ball Labyrinth Layout (reduced) to be enlarged on an copier to fit the Plexiglas table.- A Radio Control Unit as used in an RC car or boat.- one controller- one receiver with antenna- two servos- A Marble- ¾ Inch standard size glass (make sure it is round and no bumps on it)- one Double Pole Double Throw Switch Radio Shack 275-636- three Microswitches Radio Shack 275-017- Mounting hardware 4-40 screws and nuts- one 4 pin terminal Strip- Two Power Terminal Connectors to connect the power supply to the model.- One 13½” inch square ¼ inch Plexiglas- Wire Multistranded #20 to 24 gauge.- One Motor with gear reduction 1:20 to 1:50 12-18 volt. for raising and lowering the ball return track to the center of the labyrinth table.


Meccano Parts News1) Adrian Richini has succeeded in assumingoperation of his late father�s Exacto business,and the first of the backorder shipments hasbeen received by CMAMAS. The outstandingbackorders will be sent out soon, assuming theyare complete. A total of only four different partsremain to be shipped to Canada. Parts not shippedfrom Argentina in the near future shall be re-funded and backorders cancelled, in order toclear aside all outstanding 1998/1999 business.

2) Sales of the Irwin stock of Meccano Franceparts and sets have been brisk, and several itemshave now sold out. However, due to a consider-able supply at the outset, there are still a numberof highly desired items which are still available inplentiful quantity. The prices of several slowsellers have been reduced, as a result. We�vedecided to start *giving* away the battery packs,with a minimum purchase, as we�ve sold precicelyzero even at a price much reduced from theoutset. We�ll send you as many as you like,within reason.

The most up-to-date lists are available on theCMAMAS website at http://www.edmc.net/cmamas/ although a recent printout of this listis always available from Marsha Brandston.

3) The Executive has decided to complementthe Irwin inventory by supplying a selection ofreproduction parts from India. These are rathernicely-made parts, and if anything they aresuperior to the quality of the Meccano Franceequivalents. Additionally, several items arebeing offered in traditional medium red&greenlivery. Terms of ordering are the same as for theIrwin parts, and by all means, feel free tocombine Irwin and Indian parts in your order.Initially, the variety of parts is small and re-stricted to those in greatest demand, but assales progress we expect to broaden the range� your requests or suggestions for the stocklistare most certainly welcome.

Herewith is the list of parts available. These parts(and the additions to this list) will not be publicisedon the Website until the non-Website inclinedhave a reasonable opportunity to place an order.

Note that the initial production run of 136a aregold plated, although there�s no guarantee thatsubsequent production runs will receive thisroyal treatment. And also, yes, the quantities of37a and 37b don�t match and there�s no sensibleexplanation of this, except that it�s just a quirk ofthe supplier!

and lastly, (4) we have a number of set manualsand sets for sale, also from the Irwin inventory.These are all being offered for sale at the sameterms as the Irwin parts inventory, at pricesmuch less than most sources of these items.Again, refer to the website at http://www.edmc.net/cmamas/ or obtain a paper copyfrom Marsha.

Colin Hinz <[email protected]>

Part No. Description Price (CAN$)

7 24.5" angle girder, zinc or medium green $8.507a 18.5" angle girder, zinc or medium green $7.508a 9.5" angle girder, zinc or medium green $2.258b 7.5" angle girder, zinc or medium green $2.0037a (100) nuts, machined from solid brass $5.5037b (250) bolts, slot head cheeseheads, brass $17.0052a flat plate 3.5" x 5.5", medium red $5.2570 flat plate 2.5" x 5.5", medium red $3.75136a handrail coupling $2.40


Hydroelectric GeneratorCanadian General Electric Company

300 kW Hydroelectric Generator, Bracebridge, ONThe DC Field Exciter is in the Small Unit on the Right.

Steam Powered Electric GeneratorThe actual Unit from which this model is derived is powered by awaterfall on the Muskoka River.

Bob Platford, Campbellville, Ontario


Braced Girders - TheLiverpool Years

by Ivor SettenAs many people may know I have always had afondness for the Inventor�s Outfits and one rea-son for this was due to the inclusion of BracedGirders. These parts played large roles in modelbuilding right from their introduction in 1915until flexible plates came on the scene in 1934and stole their thunder. By the time I becameinterested in Meccano the lowly Braced Girderwas reduced to a minor role and only a solitarypair of 5 1/2" lengths resided in sets 9 and 10.Now I�m the first to admit that a bus with sidesconstructed from flexible plates looks much bet-ter than one using braced girders. Not so withmidway (fairground) rides; here the Braced Girderis ideally suited for bracing structures, buildingfencing or just plain decoration. I just feel thatthe model room at Liverpool could have beenkinder to one of my favourite parts.

Now comes the inevitable history of a singlepart, or in this case a group of parts. It makesquite an interesting story as the Braced Girderhas been manufactured in five basic designs,plus a minor variation for good measure, up toten different finishes and even a name changethrown in to make things just a little moreinteresting. But to start at the beginning.

1915-1917The Inventor�s Outfit of 1915 introduced a newpart which was then called a Girder Strip. Itcame in two lengths, Part 99, 12 1/2" and Part100, 5 1/2" and was finished in the standardnickel plate of the time. The ends of the GirderStrip were cut at right angles to the sides (type1) thus creating some very nasty and dangeroussharp edges which must have gashed many littlehands!

The name Girder Strip was very short lived, theonly reference I have to the use of this name is inthe 1914-1915 Prize Models book, both the U.K.and U.S. editions and inside the outfit box itself.In all the 1916 manuals I have the name has beenchanged to Braced Girder.

1918The parts listing in the manual of 1918 showstwo new lengths of Braced Girder, Part 97, 3 1/2" and part 98, 2 1/2". The manual was printedin July 1918 so allowing for set up and printingtime it would seem that parts 97 and 98 wereready very early in 1918. I have a price list of

1917 but these two parts are not listed. Possiblythere were on sale for Christmas 1917 but I haveno proof, so we have to stick with 1918.

1920Frank Hornby must have realised the danger ofthe sharp ends as by 1920 the ends had beenrounded like those of the standard strips (type 2),but just when this first happened is difficult toascertain. Old printing blocks are used in theparts lists etc. so just because a square end isshow doesn�t mean that�s how it was made atthat time (square ends are shown in the partslists well into the mid 1920�s). Conversely if around end is shown all it means is that it wasmanufactured in that style at that time, notnecessarily that this was the introductory date ofthe modification. Both parts 97 and 98 are foundwith square ends so the design change must beno earlier than mid 1918. In Meccano Magazine15 for November/December 1920 there is amodel of a Travelling Gantry Crane which showspart 98 with rounded ends. This was a prizewinning model in the 1919-20 contest but theMM does not state whether the illustration is anoriginal or a rebuild. I would suspect that theModel Room rebuilt the model from drawingsand/or photographs supplied by the entrant.Given that the competition closed on May 31st,1920 and allowing time to rebuild the model andproduce the MM one can assume that the roundends were available by mid 1920. This gives usa time span of mid 1918 to early 1920. There isone more clue. In my collection I have between140 and 150, 5 1/2" Braced Girders with squareends. One solitary example is marked �Fabriqueen Angleterre� and �Meccano�. This markingwas stamped on parts when France relaxedimport restrictions about a year after the warended in November 1918. I only have a singleexample so we can assume that this scarcemarking must have been produced very close tothe change in design. Given the date of France�srelaxation of import restrictions this would datethe part to very late 1919 or, more likely early1920. For this reason I date rounded ends toearly 1920.

1920-19261920 saw the introduction of yet another lengthof Braced Girder, Part 99A, 9 1/2". As far as Iknow this part has not been seen with the squareends. I do not have the manual for 1920 butaccording to Bob Hauton, DMS Supplement 2,December 1975, page 179, this part was an-nounced in this manual. I have a Canadian partslist of late 1919 which does not show this part.


In the New Cavendish book, Volume 6, page356, is a reproduction of the parts list for 1920but not included is part 99A. Assuming thatDMS is correct it must be assumed that the partwas introduced too late to amend the parts list,but in time for inclusion in the manual body. Thiswould date the introduction of part 99A as early1920. This date, incidentally, coincides with thedesign change to rounded ends.

Note: About 1926 Meccano Ltd. began to uselower case letters for the suffixes on parts in theparts listings, so I will now follow suit. Uppercase lettering continued in the set contents listsshown at the rear of the manuals for a number ofyears. The latest I have seen is for 1935.

1926Coloured parts. Plates in red and the BracedGirders in a bright pea green colour. Around thesame time three new lengths of Braced Girdersappeared, these being Part 97a, 3"; Part 99b, 7 1/2"; and Part 100a, 4 1/2". These parts wereannounced in the September 1926 MM with thecomment �All sizes of Braced Girders may beobtained either with the usual nickelled finish orenamelled in green.� This MM also containedthe supplement announcing the new colouredMeccano. The MM is more often than not late inmaking announcements regarding new partsbut in this instance I can find no reference toparts 99a, 99b and 100a earlier than September1926, so allowing for set-up time for the MMthese parts would date to mid-1926. This is justprior to the introduction of colours so these partswill exist in nickel plate finish.

1927Another de-sign changetook place in1927 andthat was theaddition of anarrow endstrip thusclosing theends of theB r a c e dGirder (type3). It is verydifficult topin downthe exactdate of thisd e s i g nchange butby examin-

ing my collection we can make deductions.

Parts in My CollectionSee the boxed chart on the next page.

From the above it can be concluded that as partsin pea green can be found only in the open endedstyle (type 2), but dark green parts are found withboth open (type 2) and closed ends (type 3), thenthe closed end must occur during the dark greenperiod. Using the much more plentiful 5 1/2"size, further examination of the dark green, bothopen and closed end reveals two distinct shadesone being distinctly brighter than the other.Between September 1926 and mid 1927Meccano Ltd. experimented with different coloursbefore settling on the dark green. The lightershade of green comes between the pea green ofSeptember 1926 and the dark green of mid-1927, therefore, by process of elimination wecan conclude that the end modification to theBraced Girder probably occurred in early 1927.

1927-1933During this period the Braced Girder scene re-mained quite stable, the only changes coming inthe contents of the various sets.

1933-1936There was an unannounced change in the colourscheme of Meccano parts during 1933 in whichthe reds and greens were changed to muchlighter shades. These shades, especially thereds, are very similar to the 1945-54 colours andcan easily be mistaken for them. As with thepost war reds there are shades in this period,


some having a much deeper hue. For the brightershades it really needs one to be taken from eachera and placed side-by-side in really good sun-light to spot the difference. The major differencein 1933 is that the Braced Girders were nowenamelled in this red. I have a 4A set from thisperiod which has a mixture of dark and lightgreen parts and a pair of 12 1/2" Braced Girdersin a bright red. A guarantee sticker in the lid isdated March 1932, but all this means is that theset can�t be earlier than this date. Red/Greenparts were available until being phased out inlate 1935 or early 1936. This was most likely aslow drawn out process as stocks would not berenewed once they ran out. One would expecthigh volume parts to dry up first leaving the moreexotic slow movers on the shelves for muchlonger periods. The date of 1936 is used as thisis the latest date Meccano Ltd. advertised Red/Green parts.

1934-1942The Blue/Gold era. In the December 1934Meccano Magazine, again just in time for Christ-mas, it was announced that the colour schemefor Meccano parts had undergone a major change.Gold strips and girders with plates in a cold darkblue with gold crosshatch lines; the BracedGirders fell into the latter category. I have neverreally liked this colour scheme as it seemedaltogether too gaudy, but it did suit the BracedGirder. When used as bracing members in cranesor bridges etc. the crosshatch lines looked likeextra bracing ribs and thus gave a realistic lookto the model. Used in midway rides the

gaudyness simply added to the overall appeal.Who ever heard of a midway ride that wasn�tgaudy!

In 1941, no doubt due to wartime shortages,there was a small sticker in some manualsstating that the cross lines had been eliminated,therefore, one must assume that Braced Girderscould exist in the 1930�s deep blue without thecrosshatch lines. This may only be true of fastermoving parts such as flexible plates and stocksof other parts were sufficient for the time. OnJanuary 1st, 1942 by order of the Governmentthe production and sale of all metal toys ceased.

1926-Late 1930�sA special note has to be added here. Up until atleast the late 1930�s Meccano Ltd. was willing tosupply sets and parts by special order in nickelplate finish. Bearing this in mind it is possible tofind all sizes of Braced Girders in nickel platefinish both with open and closed ends. I havepersonally seen closed end 12 1/2" and 5 1/2"sizes in this finish. They were from an Outfit �G�all in nickel plate which was a wedding gift to arecently deceased enthusiast. This set, of course,included nickel plated boilers and flexible plates.

December 1945-1958There has been some controversy as to whetherBlue/Gold parts were packed in the early post-war sets but so far I have no evidence of thiseither concrete or in memories.

So the Braced Girders were now in the familiardark red which, as previously mentioned, is

Part Nickel Pea Green Dark Green Open End Open Closed Open Closed97 3 1/2" Yes No No No Yes

97a 3" Yes No No No No

98 2 1/2" Yes Yes No Yes Yes

99 12 1/2" Yes Yes No No Yes

99a 9 1/2" No Yes No No Yes

99b 7 1/2" No No No No Yes

100 5 1/2" Yes Yes No Yes Yes

100a 4 1/2" No No No No No


remarkably similar to some of the shades of the1933-1936 red. In my collection the two BracedGirders I can positively trace to 1932/33 aresimply marked �Meccano� while all the 1945-54parts are either unmarked or are marked�Meccano Made in England�. Whether this canbe used a definitive method of identification Ican�t say. There are some very subtle variationsin the shade of red during this period but they aretoo slight as to warrant any more than just amention.

1958 - February 1962During 1958there was avery definitechange in theshade of redused. Thenew shadeappears tohave moreyellow in itthus giving avery markedlighter andb r i g h t e rshade to theparts. Againthere are verysubtle varia-tions ofshade during this period.

March 1962 - July 1964The Meccano Magazine of March 1962 an-nounced new parts and design changes to oth-ers. The Braced Girder was redesigned so thatit now had only one set of internal bracingsrather than the crossed two of the previousdesign. At the same time the range was pareddown and parts 97a, 3"; 98, 2 1/2" and 100a, 41/2" became obsolete. The colour scheme wasstill light red. There is one variation here whichI have never seen. Type 4 was reported in theMeccanoman�s Newsmag No29 of June 1982.This type has only been reported in red so itbelongs to the 1962-64 period. An exact datingis not possible but one would assume that itcame about during the design change in March1962. It seems to be quite a rare variety soperhaps only a small sample batch was pro-duced. The new design illustrated in the March1962 is a simple line drawing of type 5 which isthe standard type.

August 1964 - 1976The Meccano Magazine for August 1964 in-cluded an announcement of yet another com-plete review of the Meccano colour scheme.Large circular parts, cylinders and flanged plateswere now in a very shiny black finish. Strips andgirders were sprayed with a very delicate alumi-num paint and flexible plates and Braced Girdersreceived a very orangy yellow colour. While theflanged plates, circular parts, girders and stripsetc. saw a couple of finish changes during thisperiod the range of Braced Girders maintainedtheir yellow coat.

1976-1979In 1976 Meccano introduced the Crane Multikitwhich included two 9 1/2" Braced Girders, part99a (see New Cavendish Books, Vol. 6 page292). The Braced Girders packed in this set aretype 6, which became the standard until 1979.What prompted the change to internal radiusedcorners is not clear but at the same time MeccanoLtd. began producing 2 1/2" strips with a largerend radius in order to eliminate dangerous spikeson the waste material (see New Cavendish Books,Vol. 6 page 295). These spikes could also jampunches and cause tool damage. The cut outwaste sections in the Braced Girders certainlyhad dangerous spikes so perhaps this was thereasoning behind the change.

1978 saw the elimination of the zinc plating infavour of the more durable dark blue enamel. TheBraced Girders kept their yellow finish, colourswhich they maintained until the official closureof the factory in November 1979.


Synopsis of Variations

Braced Girders in the Sets

No. Type Date Parts

1. Square Ends Type 1. Nickel Plate 1915-1920 97, 98, 99, 1002. Rounded Ends Type 2. Nickel Plate 1920-1926 All Sizes3. Rounded Ends Type 2. Pea Green 1926 All Sizes4. Rounded Ends Type 2. Bright Green 1926-1927 All Sizes5. Rounded Ends Type 2. Dark Green 1927 All Sizes6. Closed End Type 3. Dark Green 1927-1933 All Sizes7. Closed End Type 3. Light Red 1933-1936 All Sizes8. Closed End Type 3. Blue/Gold crosshatch 1934-1942 All Sizes9. Closed End Type 3. Blue/Gold no crosshatch 1941 *** ???10. Closed End Type 3. Nickel Plate 1926-late 1930’s * All Sizes11. Closed End Type 3. Dark Red 1945-1954 All Sizes12. Closed End Type 3. Light Red 1954-1962 All Sizes13. Closed End Type 4. Light Red 1962 ** ???14. Closed End Type 5. Light Red 1962-1964 97, 99, 99a, 99b, 10015. Closed End Type 5. Yellow 1964-1976 97, 99, 99a, 99b, 10016. Closed End Type 6. Yellow 1976-1979 97, 99, 99a, 99b, 100

* Definitely exists, some examples seen.** Example reported but none actually seen.*** Possibly exists, none seen.

1915 - 1921 Inventor’s Part Outfit (A) 99 4 100 8Note: The Inventor’s Outfit received the suffix A in 1919.

1922 - 1923 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 97 - - - - - - 4 4 97A - - - - - - - - 98 - - - 1 1 1 8 8 99 - - - - 4 4 8 18 99A - - - - - - - - 99B - - - - - - - - 100 - - 2 2 6 7 14 16 100A - - - - - - - -

1924 - 1925 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part 00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 97 - - - - - - - 4 5 97A - - - - - - - - - 98 - - - - 1 1 1 8 8 99 - - - - - 4 4 8 18 99A - - - - - - - 2 2 99B - - - - - - - - - 100 - - - 2 2 6 7 8 16 100A - - - - - - - - -


1925 - 1929 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part 00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 97 - - - - - - - 4 5 97A - - - - - - - - - 98 - - - - 1 1 1 8 8 99 - - - 2 2 4 4 8 18 99A - - - - - - - 2 2 99B - - - - - - - - - 100 - 2 2 2 2 6 7 8 16 100A - - - - - - - - -

1930 - 1935 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part 000 00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 97 - - - - - - - - 4 5 97A - - - - - - - - - - 98 - - - - - 1 1 1 8 8 99 - - - - 2 2 4 4 8 18 99A - - - - - - - - 2 2 99B - - - - - - - - - 1 100 - - - 2 2 2 6 7 8 16 100A - - - - - - - - - -

1934 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part 0 A B C D E F G H K L 97 - - - - - - - - - - - 97A - - - - - - - - - - - 98 - - - - - - - - - - - 99 - - - - - - - - - - - 99A - - - - - - - - - - - 99B - - - - - - - - - - - 100 - - - - - - - - - - - 100A - - - - - - - - - - -

Note: I do not own a 1934 Manual and cannot confirm the above. This information is extracted from the New Cavendish book, Vol. 6 page 381.

1935 - 1937 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part 0 A B C D E F G H K L 97 - - - - - - - - - - 5 97A - - - - - - - - - - - 98 - - - - - - - - - - 8 99 - - - - - - - 4 4 8 18 99A - - - - - - - - - - 2 99B - - - - - - - - - - 1 100 - - - - - - - 2 2 2 16 100A - - - - - - - - - - -

1937 - 1942 and 1949 - 1962 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part 00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 97 - - - - - - - - - - - - 97A - - - - - - - - - - - - 98 - - - - - - - - - - - - 99 - - - - - - - - - - - - 99A - - - - - - - - - - - - 99B - - - - - - - - - - - - 100 - - - - - - - - - - 2 2 100A - - - - - - - - - - - -

Note: Due to war-time conditions sets were unavailable during 1942-1945.Set 9 first reappeared in 1949 and set 10 in 1950.Set 00 existed during the period 1954 - 1962


1962 - 1970 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part 00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 97 - - - - - - - - - - - - 97A - - - - - - - - - - - - 98 - - - - - - - - - - - - 99 - - - - - - 2 2 2 2 2 2 99A - - - - - - - - - - - - 99B - - - - - - - - - - - - 100 - - - - - - - - - - 2 2 100A - - - - - - - - - - - -

1970 - 1977 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 97 - - - - - - - - - - - 97A - - - - - - - - - - - 98 - - - - - - - - - - - 99 - - - - - - 2 2 2 2 2 99A - - - - - - - - - - - 99B - - - - - - - - - - - 100 - - - - - - - - - - 2 100A - - - - - - - - - - -

1978-1979 Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Set Part A 1 2 3 4 5 S L 9 10 97 - - - - - - - - - - - 97A - - - - - - - - - - - 98 - - - - - - - - - - - 99 - - - - - - - - - 2 2 99A - - - - - - - - - - - 99B - - - - - - - - - - - 100 - - - - - - - - - - 2 100A - - - - - - - - - - -

Crane1976-1979 Multikit Part 99a 2

Photo 1Right: An artist's

impression ofthe London Eye.


Dutch Glory along theThames

(or how the Dutch returned one more time afterChatham)

This article is reprinted from Meccano-Nieuws17.4, pages 58-60 by Kees Trommel. Transla-tion by CMAMAS member Ted van Klink.

It rotates constantly, the illumination breathes, itis large and looms high above the city of London,it is

The London EyeIn a city where a permit for a small garden hardlypasses through the red tape mill, in a relativelyshort time, permission was given for the con-struction of a large and striking project. As one of

the European cities who put on a large show forthe upcoming Millennium an enormous ferriswheel is being build on the southern bank of theriver Thames under the supervision of HollandiaBV from Krimpen on the Ijssel. The constructioncan not really be compared to the giant wheelswhich e.g., are situated in Vienna, because ofthree important differences.

1. The 32 capsules (gondolas) are transparentand are totally enclosed

2. The capsules are placed on the outside ratherthan on the inside of the wheel.

3. And, this part is very significant, the 576 tonwheel is supported by the �A� frame on ONE sideonly. (see photo 2)

A. Even without a technical background one can

"The London Eye" World's largestgiant wheel under construction.A new Super Model in the making.


see that construction of this wheel creates lots ofstress and are an enormous challenge for boththe designers and the contractors to constructsuch a project and get it to operate.

With the background and experience with previ-ously built large moving objects, such as bridges,flood control structures and off shore construc-tion Hollandia BV was chosen to lead the con-struction of this project. Many of the compo-nents are however supplied by third parties.

The WheelThe �wheel�, with it�s complex triangular struc-ture, was built by the British firm Mercon SteelStructures. Construction was started with themanufacturing of the inner rim and it�s manyinner surface mounting points. Later on the

tubular construction of the outer rims, whichform the outside of the wheel, and it�s attachingmembers were welded to these mounting points.The rims were constructed in small units andwere later on welded into sections that were 22M. long. The final stages of these assembliessuch as sandblasting and painting were done inthe company�s own facilities after which four ofthe sections were welded to form a quadrant.This size was also the largest possible assemblythat could just be transported on the river Thames.The transportation itself was also a very delicatetask and all the criteria such as tide, wind direc-tion, etc. had to occur at their most favourableconditions in order to clear low and narrowbridges.

The four quadrants of the wheel (each 88 M.Long and eachweighing 144 tonsgiving the wheel adiameter of 122 M.)were placed in ahorizontal positionon temporary plat-forms that were an-chored to the riverbottom. (see photo7) For the placing ofthe four segmentsone of Europe�s larg-est floating crane,the Taklift I, washired. The photo onthe front page ofM.N. 17.4 showsthe placing of the lastsection.

Construction startedwith the quadrantthat was locatedalong the southshore as well as theconstruction of thepassenger platformsat the same location.After that the othersections were ma-neuvered into place.Before the last sec-tion could be put intoplace a temporaryplatform in the cen-tre of the wheel, onwhich the centralshaft and the con-

A detaileddiagram of thefinal design,

showing all themajor elements:

1 steel rim2 hub and spindle

3 A-frame legs4 spoke cables

5 restraining cables6 capsule

7 boarding platform8 restraining tower

9 pier10 safety boom

11 compression base12 tension base


nection to the �A� frame rest, had to beinstalled.

The A FrameThe A frame itself is attached to 11 M.high sockets, which in turn are at-tached to a pile driven platforrn, and areplaced 20 M. apart. All the stressesmeet at these seemingly simple com-ponents of the entire construction Photo3 shows the complex constructionwhich finally connects the A framemembers to the centre shaft assembly.

The Central ShaftThe central shaft with it�s surroundinghub, as well as the two flanges towhich the spokes attach, weighing 330tons, was cast at the firm of TjechPlisen Skoda. This is one of the lastfoundries which can cast these rather largecastings. The shaft has a total length of 23 M.and a diameter of 2.1 M. Each hub flange has adiam. of 4.5 M. and is 1200 mm. thick. Photo 4gives a good indication of the dimensions of thispart.

The �Capsules� or �Gondolas�The 32 capsules, are mounted on the outside ofthe wheel, are built by the French firm Sigma.This firm that amongst other things specializesin the construction of cable aerial ways as well asgondolas for ski lifts. The 8.4 M. long and 4 M.diam. capsules are glazed with 12 mm. thicklaminated glass. They follow the rotation of the

wheel and are always in a horizontal positionand with a speed of 1 KM. per hour a maximumof 25 passengers per capsule, with one rotationlasting 30 minutes, can enjoy the view. Thewheel rotates continuously and the loading andunloading area most likely uses a �movablefloor� which over a measured distance travelsthe same speed as the, at that moment, passingcapsule. Visitors of amusement parks are nodoubt familiar with what I mean. Photos 5 and 6show more details of the capsules. Officially thestructure is named after the British AirwaysLondon Eye . Since BA is a very large sponsor ofthis project they are allowed to name the struc-ture after the BA group.

The element design is bythe London architects DavidMarks and Julia Barfield.They have attempted to cre-ate the elements of air, wa-ter, earth and time.

The element of air is de-signed by lighting designerYann Kersdale and is por-trayed by white illuminationwhich appears to breath ina rhythmic change in theintensity of the lightingwhich occurs at about 16times per minute. This isthe rate at which humansbreath.

The element of water is por-trayed by means of blue illu-

Photo 5A capsule on thetesting fixture totest thepositioningsystem.

Photo 3The complexconnecting piece forthe two members ofthe A frame.


The PeddlerFOR SALE: 1986 French Meccano #10 Set. New- unused condition, inventoried and organized.E15R Motor and gear segments with pinionincluded. Price US$ 3,000.00, will not ship,must be picked up. Lou Boselli, 19 Payson Road,Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520, USA, (845)534-2863.

mination of the entrance/exitplatform in which the platformappears to float on a layer ofblue light.

The element of earth is depictedby the newly planted trees inJubilee Garden.

Time is depicted by the illumi-nation of the capsules. The lightin the capsules only comes onwhen it arrives at the platform.Capsules are totally unlit in or-der to allow the passengers toenjoy the breathtaking view asmuch as possible and this, in afashion, represents a tripthrough time. Yes, you have tobe prepared to live a little in thefantasy world of the designers,but if you do you have an over-whelming experience.

The erecting was scheduled to start at the end ofSeptember but due to setbacks was accom-plished in the middle of October. Since thespokes are designed to overcome the verticalstresses when the wheel is erected special cableswere installed to overcome the additional stressesduring the erecting of the structure. In the pho-tograph on the front page one can see a walk-way, from the centre of the wheel, to the outerrim. This platform was used to install the spokesand the special erecting cables. All in all the1500 ton structure was raised in about 2 days.

The operations around the construction site were(and still are) can be followed on the internet bymeans of a camera mounted on the roof of theShell building. A �new� picture is shown everyfew minutes. Have a look at

h t tp : / / 193 .113 .211 .173 /dynamicNe t /world_of_the_eye/webcam/webcam.htm

Naturally British Airways has paid a lot of atten-tion to the project. See

http://www.britishairways.com/londoneye/

In early September I visited the construction siteand took photographs which were placed on myweb site. (Editor�s Note: These are now gone.)

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/2043/

These sites are often busy but keep trying.

The wheel is 135 M. tall at it�s highest point andthe cable which form the spokes has a totallength of 6 KM. A total of 1700 tons of steel wereused in it�s construction. With a height of 135M.

It is twice as tall as the famous giant ferris wheelin Vienna.

In a word a giant one of it�s kind - and now itcomes - also a real challenge to all Meccanobuilders to copy this model. The construction ofthe wheel will probably be the biggest headachebecause of all it�s angular connections. In orderto copy the slimness and gracefulness of theoriginal there will be a need to be creative in it�sconstruction.

A reasonably sized model wheel would be ratherheavy so naturally the next challenge is to alsosupport this weight on the A frame let it rotate.The capsules are relatively easy to build and usean interesting part, namely a gear mechanismthat keeps the capsules in a horizontal positionin relation to the wheel. Most of time will bespend to create a design that can be repeated 32times. I�m curious as to whom will be the firstwith a model.

Photo 6A few of the capsulesin the assembling area.


Model Plans and CanadianMeccaNotes Back Issues

Can be obtained from:

o within North America: Colin Hoare (addresson page 2), Money Order or Cheque.

o elsewhere: MW Models (address below).

MW Models4 Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxton,England RG9 1RY, phone: 0491 572436, FAX:0491 571175, [email protected]

http://henleyhighstreet.inetc.net/mwmodels/acatalog/

Credit cards are accepted!

The Peddler cont.FOR SALE: Meccano parts: yellow/blue,Red/green, gears, motors and windups,manuals and complete sets l973 vintage,sets 3 to 6. Send for price lists or yourwants. Earl Pitts, 26 Dyer Court, Cam-bridge, ON N3C 4B8. (519) 658-2086 oremail [email protected]

Wanted: any Meccano spare parts intheir original yellow boxes or paper wrap-pings, any old set or motor boxes, yellowstringing cards and small parts boxes.Send list to: Greg Rahn, 211 RiverviewGreen, Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1K3 [email protected]

Wanted: a Meccano Elektron set #1 or #2 fromthe 30�s. Complete or not. Also want a 1920�selectrical set or just parts of a set. Send list to

address above.

Wanted: anymeccano advertis-ing booklets, cata-logs and price lists.Send list to ad-dress above.


The 1922Manual of

Instructions

Issue #21 --- Mar. 2001 · 2015-01-13 · #126A Flat Trunion $1.15 I have some material for the...

Documents

Transcript of Issue #21 --- Mar. 2001 · 2015-01-13 · #126A Flat Trunion $1.15 I have some material for the...