Dapol Model Railway Dockside Crane Plastic Kit - OO Scale 1/76

Nothing to dislike, needs a little bit of clean up before putting together but its no big deal.It looks amazing when completed and adds a good dose of realism to a Diorama

Got this model for cargo siding on a model railway. I am fairly skilled with models and like to embellish them (fussy over accuracy etc).The model out of the packet needed cleaning up (lots of flashing from the old moulds) - but as expected, given the age of this kit. The jibs were a little warped, but glued together very easily - with just a little plastic filler for tiny gaps.There are some annoying prod-marks where the parts are ejected - the worst on the door (will make a warning sign to disguise) and all around the platform adjacent to the railings. All of these can be filled and sanded, aside from the door...which can be reduce to acceptable levels.The roof was quite warped with a small crack; I think gluing it closed after painting will involve some tape to hold it in place.The 'space' factor is very nice - this model will add to a scene very well. Vertically it sits about 20cm high; the support structure is about 10cmx10cm; and, the reach of the jib with a bit of up-turn is a further 10cm. So you're looking at 20x10x20.The stringing on the railings took some super glue and a bit of patience - but is worth doing. It adds a delicacy to this rugged, brutal bit of kit.Once finished - I am very happy with the overall kit. Anything to add? yes... the inside of the four legs isn't detailed at all...with the alignment strips showing clearly. So, I'll probably find something to cover them, fill them with a chamfer of filler, or get some girder material to disguise these.Really nice kit. Would buy again. Time for build ca. 1hour (not including initial cleaning and final stringing). Should take some good weathering, rust effects, and cargo.I agree that some weight in the back of the cab is required, to counterbalance the jib & cargo.Edit: added a photo of the crane in place... it has taken rust effects really well imho.

I managed to spend a whole day building this kit and fiddling with thread to make it convincing. 100% worth the price just for the fun of building it. If you like model kits, this is really worth the money for how big and good the crane looks with a set up. I would recommend placing some weights in the cab if you intend for your crane to carry anything weighty.

This model has the usual excellent detail of the DAPOL range, but the components had a lot of moulding "Leakage" which had to be tediously removed before assembly. I've bought over a dozen DAPOL models from the range and this was by far the worst for this problem. No cord was included in the kit. Other than the moulding issue, it's a great model. For painting, I'm using the dock cranes in Bristol Docks as a colour guide.

This tooling may be over 50yrs old but still a classic build.Due to age some parts have fashing and may be slightly warped both are easily remedied .

I have wanted the item for a long time every time I tried to buy it was out of stock but now I’ve got it it’s well made good value for money quality is good very explanatory easy to make personally I would paint individual parts before you stick them together.

This model shouldn’t really still be being made, it’s so old fashioned. It’s covered with excess plastic from the poor moulding, not easy to assemble, and the instructions aren’t good.I gave up and put it in the bin.

This item arrived in very good time.The crane, makes a really nice model. Some parts can be a little fiddly, and I had to drill the holes for the jib and pullies to 2mm.I failed to understand how to thread the cotton, and cannot understand why it should go through the top front cab window to the hook. It looks better from the rear top pulley.