RAF Recovery Set (Thorneycroft Amazon truck and Cole's Crane)

Truck chassis went together nicely. 

Underside also went together nicely, all the wheels are level and pretty solid. 

Cab assembled, not wonky: result!
Couple of touch-ups needed where I didn't predict the exposed surfaces right when pre-painting. 

Back bit ready for the Cole's Crane. 

Probably being too clever for my own good, but decided some counterweight in the crane body would be a good idea - broken out the "liquid gravity" lead shot.
(Unpainted/scraped bits are going to be glue surfaces in a bit...) 

They make it all look so straightforward, elegant and simple... I guess this was first tooled in 1972, maybe people were more skilled then. I wouldn't know, I'd literally just been born! 

Running a "cable" (heavy gauge fishing line)... the haemostats have had to come out (usually reserved for rigging biplanes). 

Two haemostats and croc clips while the superglue dries... decided the hook and cable will be fixed, hopefully the jib will move properly... ?? 

The reality: pegs, croc clips and Superglue... 

Major surgery needed on the crane! Structurally sound, a movable crane (azimuth and elevation) and rigged with a "cable" led to some, ah, off piste modifications... you can tell its bad when I've had to unleash Mr Surfacer! 

All over bar the varnish and decals, thanks to quick drying and self-priming Mr Surfacer and hot weather. 

I see you baby, shaking that... 

Slightly remodelled crane cab "roof" 

Mr Surfacer covering a multitude of sins here. 

RAF Recovery Set all done 

... and in new home, on display