Another snapshot into life in the RHEC on a typical Friday…!!!  I will look at developments on R025 as part of the next ‘Rolling Restorations’ posting, hopefully some time next week.  It means it is easier for folks to find the relevant info if it isn’t all buried in the general posts!

Below: Rambler’s canopy, with a few offcuts of roof timber being used to determine the final method of creating the curve.  It has also been painted with the valances still in undercoat (to be glossed later).

Below: With further paint applied and some of the roof planks in place, the canvas for the cover is laid out to de-crease.

Below: On the shoulders of the canopy are what were originally curved pieces of timber.  Having no easy way to bend timber along its length to a set radius, Tony is making up these pieces in sections, as seen here.  This ruse will be hidden beneath the canvas.

Below: Quite a lot of preparatory work has taken place on the living van, seen in these two photos.  The cladding has been rubbed down in readiness for etch priming, and some of the woodwork which will remain has also been rubbed down.

Below: The Model T van is currently receiving attention to its drive bands.  These stretch over time, as being part of the transmission and under tension when engaged, they thus become a disposable/replaceable item.  The springs visible through the open housing are the means by which the tension is created, derived from the forward and reverse peddles (with low forwards being just the peddle, high being in combination with the handbrake!).  The transmission is semi-automatic and does make sense once you get used to it!

Below: This photo shows Samson wearing most of the bits that currently exist for him!  In addition, there are some small fittings plus the wheelsets of course.

Below: This view shows the inside of the valve chest cover, with a double spring arranged to hold the slide valve lightly against he port face.  It is riveted to the cover, as can be seen, and applies only gentle pressure to the valve.