We're back from out trip and I have got started, but all is not well.
I did translate the instructions, as best that I and Google Translate could. I have no French so don't know how to handle idioms, abbreviations, etc -- so G-T was confused at times. Nonetheless, I got the gist of it.
The real problem, as I pinted out before is the Xeroxed instructions are difficult to read -- either faint, or off the page, etc. Adding to that is that the parts are hand-drawn and many times do not look like the equivalent plastic part -- either on the sprue-layout page or in the construction steps. Other problems is that some parts just aren't clearly shown as to location, orientation, etc.
I have been all over the internet and found very few useful pix of the 1891 car to help me.
The specific problems at this stage are the front and rear axle/wheel assemblies. I think I have the front figured out, but the rear is still a work in progress. I abandoned the specific instructions and started hopping around, building from the bottom up, those parts that I could confirm the identity and location of, then adding the next part later, and so on -- always looking ahead to see what I could resolve.
Anyway, the front end is almost done -- the biggest problem with it is that almost all the steps show the chassis upside down with parts being added. However, the front axle & steering gear is shown as a sub-assembly and is right side up -- that means I either had to turn it over & hold it above my head, or stand on my head to get the same perspective on everything.
The rear axle assembly is a whole other story. One would assume the axle would mount on the center of the leaf springs and that the brake assembly would run through one of two sets of holes. If the brakes ran through one set they conflicted with other structure parts. If they ran through the other set, then the shoes come nowhere near the wheels. I finally moved the axle back as far as I could, given the sprocket, so it would be closer to the shoes. I'll have to scratchbuild the rod the shoes attach to anyway as it isn't long enough. I'll also have to do whatever to get the shoes looking near right.
Problem is, there are a few other parts that I have no clue what to do with, because of all the instruction issues I already mentioned.
I'm not having as much fun as I thought I would. The kit is clunkier than their 1895 kit so my expectations took a hit right off the bat, now these problems.
Nonetheless, we will press on …
