2003_Aug

Newsletter August 2003 Page 1

President Mike Maloney Treasurer Bill Davis Newsletter Editor Bill Fitzgerald

Secretary:Graeme Thomson16 Catherine StCANTERBURYVIC 3126 9836 7359Website

http://members.tripod.com/melbmci

MELBOURNE MECCANO CLUB INC NEWSLETTERIssue No 4 August 2003

MODEL CHILDFour and a half-year-old Balke Rosneberg examines Carol’s Robot at the MMC

Display at the 5th Bendigo Model Engineers’ Exhibition(Photograph courtesy of Andrew Perryman of the Bendigo Advertiser)

Page 12 Melbourne Meccano Club Inc

MECCANO DIARYMMC NEXT MEETINGSunday 14 December 2003At Lindsay Carroll’s, 8 Myuna Court VERMONT 3133 (Melway 65A3)1.00pm Sales Table2.00pm Meeting StartsPlease bring a small plate of afternoon tea to share.A small folding chair is recommended for your comfort.FORTHCOMING EXHIBITIONSMelbourne Meccano Club Inc Annual ExhibitionYes, our own exhibition! Sat & Sun 11&12 October 2003At Bri Phil Hall,80 Gardenvale Rd ELSTERNWICK (Melway 67 H7)Sat 11 Oct 7.30 am to noon members only, noon to 5 pm open to public.Sun 12 Oct 10 am to 4 pm for everyone.Model Train Expo and Hobby ShowSat & Sun 15 & 16 Nov 2003, 9 am to 5 pm each day.World Vision CentreCnr Springvale Rd & Vision Dve, EAST BURWOOD (Melway 62 D8).For more information contact Jack Parsisson on (03) 9789 5796([email protected]).OTHER MECCANO CLUB MEETINGS.Meccano Modellers’ Association (Sydney)Next meeting Saturday 30 August at 1.30 pm at Coroy & Louise Boros’s,8 Ascot Road, KENTHURST. Ph: (02) 9654 1396.SEQMG (SE Queensland Meccano Group)Next meeting Saturday October 25 at 1.30 pmat Jack Kruizinga’s, 35 Mapleton Rd, NAMBOUR. Ph: (07) 5476 3376.Paul Dale (Secretary, ph (07) 3202 5352) is more than happy to organise aspecial meeting for visitors if he gets a bit of prior notice.Maylands Meccano Club (Perth)Meetings are held at the Maylands Meccano Club, 16 Kennedy StMAYLANDS usually on the first Tuesday of each month.Contact Ross Smith (Secretary) on (08) 9367 8906 for details.

Model set – not sure how to describe it!Her second from the 50 Model set was anaeroplane but in the colours of the 30Model set – rather nice.

Mike Maloney has been using Märklinparts again, this time for a giant pontoon

crane. The prototype was built by theGerman’s during the 2nd World War soperhaps he has some excuse on thisoccasion. Mike has completed only thepontoon and the crane tower and it will bean impressive model at a 1:80 scale. Thecrane jib is to be 1.2 m long so imaginethe size of the prototype!


Our fourth AGM was held at the Bri PhilHall, Elsternwick on Sunday 10 August2003 and continued the tradition ofclashing with the Hornby auction. As aresult the number attending wassomewhat reduced (I hope that the namesof offenders have been noted and thatappropriate disciplinary measures will betaken!) Nevertheless we had an excellentturnout with 26 members plus 4 familymembers and 3 visitors. Those attendingwere: John Brand, Chris Comer, BillDavis, Peter During, John Edgar, BillFitzgerald, Roger & Sandra Hall, JohnHutchinson, Bill & Margaret Inglis, Graham& Mary Jost, Arthur Kirkbright, MikeMaloney, John Martin, Mark Mason, Wal.Maynard, Barry McDonald, KimballMonger, Carol Parsisson,Jack Parsisson, TonyPress, John Riley,Graham Russell, GraemeThomson, Jeff van Hees,Doug Ward, Andrew andAllan Weaver.

Apologies were receivedfrom Lindsay Carroll,David Denner, BruceDouglas, NevilleHandcock, Reece Isaac,Patrick Russell-Youngand Mike Wright.

AGM ProceedingsJust after 2 pm ourPresident Mike Maloneycalled us to order for thefourth Annual GeneralMeeting of the MMC Inc.

President’s ReportMike’s report is on page5. I would like to add tohis report by expressingthanks to Mike on behalfof all Club members forthe excellent job he hasdone in chairing ourmeetings throughout thepast year. Things ranvery smoothly, everyonegot their say andeverything was covered.

In particular Mike is very skilful atencouraging members to speak abouttheir models in front of the group and wasalways able to ensure that there wasplenty of time available for this.

Treasurer’s ReportThe Treasurer presented his BalanceSheet and Statement for the 2002/2003financial year – see page 8.

Election of Office BearersThe current Secretary and two ordinaryCommittee members were standing downand the Secretary had receivednominations for all positions except oneordinary Committee member. In

Roger Hall, John Edgar,Allan & Andrew Weaver


Vern Ellis’s Meccano Did You KnowDid you know that?

The larger Mechanics Made Easysets D & E included a spanner, asheet of flexible celluloid, a ½” pulleyand a length of chain for the specialmodel of the Blackpool Big Wheel.

The large Super E set (see JuneNewsletter) had enough parts tomake a model of the Forth RailwayBridge. It had for example:

168 12½” perforated strips264 5½” “ “132 3½” “ “120 3" “ “216 2½” “ “

along with other numerous parts toreally make it a super set. The ForthRailway Bridge was included in thenew book of Instructions for 25Models in 1904.

The worm had two keys to overcomeend thrust.

A mystery Elementary Outfit waslisted in the children’s edition of the1906 MME manual.

[Vern has just finished the post warSet 10 Railway Breakdown Crane in r/g. It has turned out well and looksgood, though some problemsneeded rectifying. Extra braces wereneeded on the axle holding the rollerbearing together as there is a lot ofstress at that point. Ratchet wheelswere put on the luffing and lifting

manual using strips rather than flexibleplates for the cladding. To make lifeeasier, John cut 12½” strips to lengthrather than have to join strips. It turnedout very well, although the mix of colourswas unusual – dictated by availabilityrather than aesthetics!

The largest model on show was GrahamRusssell’s Showman’s Traction Enginefrom the 1938 No 10 manual in r/g rather

than the original blue/gold. Neverthelessit looked splendid – a fine entry for ourExhibition if Graham can bear to keep itassembled for that long. As Grahampointed out, several modifications wereneeded to build the model – one thatGraham has yet to do is to modify thesteering so it turns the correct way!

Sandra Hall’s first model was from the 10


accordance with the rules, the Presidentcalled for nominations from the floor forthe unfilled position and Doug Wardbravely stepped forward. The Presidentdeclared all Nominees duly elected.These are:

Officers:President Mike MaloneyVice President John BrandSecretary Graeme ThomsonTreasurer Bill Davis

Ordinary Committee Members:Kimball MongerDoug Ward

Annual SubscriptionsThe present membership fees of $15.00(Victoria) and $10.00 (elsewhere) will bemaintained and Family Membership willnow be at no extra cost.

Informal ProceedingsMike introduced our 3 visitors, Grahamand Glenda Bunn with son Shaun who hadfound out about the Club from our webpage. The story was familiar – Dad hadMeccano as a boy but that set is now verydepleted. Now Father and Son want toget into the hobby.

External Exhibitions Coordinator. JackParsisson has beenperforming this task withskill and enthusiasm forsome years. But withJack moving off theCommittee it has beendecided to formalise thisposition. Jack agreed todo the job and wasappointed before he hada chance to change hismind!

Exhibition Sub-Committee ReportChairman KimballMonger started byreminding everyone thatthere are only 61 daysto go. Exhibition datesare 11 &12 October(see back page fordetails). Regardingmodels, some may say.“but I’m not anengineer, what can Ibuild?”. But models donot need to bemechanical – some ofthe best Meccanomodels ever producedhave been of buildings.What about a bird or acat, a bunch of flowers –maybe an elephant!?There are plenty ofcolourful parts inPeter During and Kimball Monger


Walker from the CrazyInventors series – notvery steady on his feetthough! (cont p 10)

Graham Jost showedus yet another ball roller(Tower of Babel)designed by AlanPartridge which featuredin CQ. Graham’saddition was to include aball-raising device in thecentre to providecontinuous operation –rather tricky to get thedesign of the latter justright according toGraham. His seconditem was an automaticgrab designed by TonyParmee who in turn hadmodified the grab from aNoel La-Bois crane from1945.

John Brand broughtalong a nicely finished(in yellow/zinc) Tractorand Bottom Dump Truckwhich appeared in theNo 6 manual of the1950s.

Peter During had 3smaller models, all inyellow/zinc whichcomprised aMeccanograph from theNo 4 manual of theperiod, a box crushingmachine and a crankhandle operated windmillfrom a 1950s No 1manual – just the thingfor young children in ahands-on display.

John Riley showedwhat can be done withthe parts in that box ofassorted junk under thebench. He built theLocomotive and Tenderfrom the mid 1950s No 9

Tony Press and John Hutchinson


Meccano these days for artisticdesign. It doesn’t needwheels, and doesn’t have to goround and round. If you can’tcome for the 2 days, whatabout sharing with someone –eg one person builds thelocomotive and the other thecarriages.

Regarding trading, pleasenote that this will be allowedonly up to noon on Saturday.After that there is to be notrading on the site. Also,please don’t tout for business –stick to the spirit of the rules ofthe game and make it a happyevent for all.

Model entry forms. JackParsission is gettingconcerned at the slowreturn of these – lessthan 10 so far. Soplease send in yourforms pronto so that thesub-committee can startthinking about halllayouts etc.

Model DisplayTony Press had moreexamples of rare andunusual Meccano fromdays gone by.

A constructor car from1937 based on the M1Sports Tourer of theperiod.

Small tins labeledMorphine Syringe usedfor packaging smallspares (nuts & boltsetc.). These were leftover wartime productionat Binns Rd.

A Royal Meccano set (tocommemorate thecoronation of KingGeorge V in 1911) in itsoriginal attractive tin box


Committee ChangesGraham Jost who has been Secretary since the Club was incorporated in 1999 istaking a well-earned break from Committee duties. Graham is one of the“foundation members” who attended the first meeting back in 1984 and has beenactively involved with the Club ever since. For a number of years he wrote thenewsletter and was one of the de facto Club organisers before we incorporated andelected a formal committee. Graham is probably best known as a builder ofattractive Meccano models of all types and sizes. He is very much into restoration ofold parts and his models look a million dollars with their freshly powder coated partsand re-plated brass nuts & bolts.

Graham has always been heavily involved in the organisation of our AnnualExhibition. He is now an accomplished radio and TV personality - giving interviewsto publicise the Club and its exhibitions, and has done the same for variousnewspapers. His involvement with the International Society of Meccanomen (ISM)has resulted in several nicely illustrated articles on our annual exhibitions in the ISMmagazine. Graham is now a member of the ISM Committee.

Jack Parsisson is also stepping down from the Committee and he too has made avaluable contribution to the running of the Club over the years particularly inorganising Club participation in outside exhibitions. Members who have participatedin such events will be well aware of the effort Jack puts into this. The Club getsuseful public exposure from these exhibitions and we have obtained several newmembers as a result of this. Jack intends to continue in his role as ExternalExhibitions Coordinator which is good news for the Club and the members whoexhibit at these exhibitions. Thank you Jack.

Jack is also a prolific model builder and is well known as the producer of theJackano range of Meccano replica parts as well as a range of non-standard parts ofhis own design. These parts are of excellent quality with an enamel finish in a rangeof colours and are highly recommended. Several members are regular customersalthough most of the sales are to NSW with overseas buyers in several countries aswell.

Bill Fitzgerald, our Newsletter Editor, also comes to the end of his three-year termon the Committee but will continue to write and publish the bi-monthly newsletter.Those of us relatively new to our Club may not realise that Bill was perhaps primarilyresponsible for its foundation. Following increasing adult Meccano interest up to theearly 1980s, it was he who invited a number of interested Meccanomen to meet athis home in September 1984. I still remember that fabulous evening, the first ofmany that were subsequently held in members’ homes over the next few years.

Bill took over the as editor of our Newsletter from the October 2000 issue. Heimmediately put his stamp on it in the form of extended reporting, vastly improvedlayout, a centrefold showing selected models from our 2000 Annual MeccanoExhibition (the first at our Gardenvale venue and as an incorporated Club), providinga decent header and introducing the present A5 format. Newsletter production,which he does almost alone, involves a massive effort, and we are all muchindebted to him for his continuing contribution. These days it is a quality Newsletterof which we can all be proud. Bill says that “It is a task I enjoy although if someoneelse wants to have a go, I will happily stand aside! One thing that would improve thequality of the newsletter is contributions from members. I get a few of these, but Iwould really like a lot more.” All members please note. [by order Graham Jost!!!]


PRESIDENT’S REPORT – 2003We come to the end of the 4th year of the Club’s existence in pretty good shape.

Our bi-monthly meetings have been quite well attended throughout the year –usually between 30 – 40 members. Apart from our Exhibition, we have had nospecial activities, but the normal format of social interaction, sales and purchases,information exchange, and display and discussion of models and memorabiliaappears to have been acceptable. Nevertheless, the committee is always open tosuggestions for improvement or alternatives.

I wish to express my appreciation to all members of the Committee for theirparticipation and enthusiasm – we have spent quite some time this year indeliberation and resolution on the matters of public liability insurance, and on theterms of reference for the Exhibition Sub-committee.

In particular, I thank Graham Jost for his very competent handling of the Secretary’sposition – his presentation of minutes and committee agenda has assisted ourtask greatly. Bill Fitzgerald’s production efforts on the Club’s Newsletter havecreated vast improvements in content and presentation – and in timely distributionto members. And Jack Parsisson’s organizing and arrangements of Club exhibitshave created quite a demand for our participation amongst other club organisers.

To these three in particular, I believe the Club owes a debt of gratitude.Unfortunately this year each is obliged to stand down from the Committee, but Iknow that they will continue to contribute to the Club in the coming year.

As the Treasurer’s report will show, the Club is on a sound financial footing – infact, we are looking for useful ideas for making effective use of these finances!

Our Exhibition last year was a great success, thanks to a hard-working Sub-committee, and has set a standard to maintain this year. I urge all members toassist with your participation this year.

Thanks also to the host of our ‘unofficial’ website, Paul Johnstone, who has helpedus become recognized among Meccano enthusiasts in countries throughout theworld – if you have access to a computer, then I can recommend a browse formtime to time, especially if you are unable to get to Club meetings.

Finally, thanks to those members who quietly arrange for the setting up, tidying upof the Hall for meetings, and provision of refreshments. Your efforts areappreciated.

with raised embossingon the lid. It was one ofthe first sets to havebase and sector plates.

Not to be upstaged,John Hutchinsonproduced a No 4 set,also from 1911 with itskey-locked gears andpulleys in excellent


Melbourne Meccano Club Inc. Balance Sheet and Statement ofReceipts and Expenses for the year 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003

2002/03 2001/02

$ $

Balance at 1 July 3200.98 1946.80

Add ReceiptsClub Exhibition Admission 1912.00 842.85Membership Fees 1045.00 1170.00Donations 340.00 505.00Sales Club Badges 240.00 0.00

Exhibition Mags 234.00 0.00Bank Interest 21.44 0.00

3792.44 2517.85

Less ExpensesInsurance Premium 935.00 0.00Club Badges 764.50 0.00Exhibition Mag (Post & Distr.) 625.17 0.00Club Exhibition (inc. Hall hire) 551.25 487.38Newsletter (Prodn and Post) 428.45 590.79Admin. & Refreshments 122.35 0.00Hall Hire (exc. Club Exhibn) 100.00 150.00Govt. Charges (BADT) 44.80 35.50

3571.52 1263.67Net Income 220.92 1254.18Balance at 30 Jun 3421.90 3200.98Comprising:

Bendigo Bank cheque acct 1398.91 3185.08Bendigo Term Deposit 2021.44 0.00Petty cash on hand 1.55 15.90

Club AssetsCash & Term Deposit 3421.90 3200.98Other Items (est. total value) 1100.00 930.00

Current Liabilities Nil Nil

condition. A quite uncommon item. (cont p8)

Roger Hall was more up to date with anattractive block setting crane in nicely

restored r/g parts from the No 3 manualof the 1950s. Roger’s other models werea Ferris Wheel in immaculate yellow/zincFrench Meccano (based on a modelwhich appeared on the internet) and a


MMC at Bendigo Model Engineers’Exhibition

Carol and Jack Parsisson, Roger andSandra Hall, Mike Maloney and Grahamand Mary Jost made our first Clubpilgrimage to Bendigo to participate in the5th Bendigo Model Engineers’ Exhibitionat the Kangaroo Flat Leisure Centre onthe first weekend in July. It was a fineweekend in all senses. Set-up was onFriday evening with no less than 29’ oftable space at our disposal. Saturday sawthe beginning of a weekend of interestedvisitors during the two days.

Carol showed an impressivedisplay of many models frommodern sets including theneat crane from the 7080anniversary set, anddispensed plenty ofinformation as to how to startthe hobby and where to getwhat!

Jack had a nice selectionfrom his large collection ofdelights in red and greenincluding a fine cement mixertruck, his marine engine andthe NZ portable engine.Roger and Sandra broughtalong several of their currentset models, but beingthere for only a part ofSaturday, sorry folks – Iomitted to note exactlywhat – and you alsomissed my photoopportunity!

Mike showed several ofhis models, including hisMarklin crane, smallbeam engine, automaticexcavator and Meccano/Marklin truck.

Graham showed his MMbraider, new ball rollerand Rocket of yore. The

whole was a most satisfactory andenjoyable experience – I’m sure we’ll beinvited back again in two year’s time.

Graham Jost (Photos by Graham & Jack)

[The Club also obtained some welcomepublicity from an article about theexhibition which appeared in the BendigoAdvertiser. The picture on the front coverwas taken by one of their reporters andpermission to reproduce it is gratefullyacknowledged by the Club.]


Labassa Open Day Meccano Showby Graham Jost

A stalwart five – Jack, Kimball, Sandra &Roger and Graham – fronted up to theNational Trust’s Labassa mansion on afairly nippy July 27 to put on anotherMeccano treat for the fans. (It should benoted that model railways folk were alsothere – clockwork and electric inside,and steam outside). Labassa is notnoted for its lightness inside, so thingswere just a tad glum, illumination-wise.But we were each provided with a tablespace of our own in the large drawing(?) room on theground floor on theleft. These we wellfilled as per usual,but sadly, we werenot allowed to takephotographs, thoughfor the life of me I findit difficult tounderstand whenwalls are coveredwith nothing butancient paint, andceilings and cornicesare so far away thatany flash is probablystill on its way there.But a Trustphotographer had thenecessarydispensation andtook the twophotographs includedhere.

The Trust was verypleased with thenumbers of folkthrough though –something of theorder of 400+. Thismeant that there wasalways someone orsome several to befound in front of eachtable, so we were

kept busy. All the usual questions – Ireally must make a note one day of: howmany parts?, how many nuts and bolts?,how long did it take to build? andoccasionally how much is it worth? Thehonest answer to this latter is usually inthe unbelievable category – even for thebuilder!

It was a good day, and most likely wewill be invited back. They certainly werepleased to have us, and even providedcontinuous tea and coffee – and lunch!It would be nice to see some newexhibitors, though. How about it, folks –a new face – or two?

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