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The Auckland Meccano Guild meeting September 2009
The meeting was held at the home of David and Elizabeth wall and represents quite a milestone in the growth of the Guild.
David Wall formed the Guild in 1974 and it has been continuous ever since. This meeting was the 35th anniversary of the formation of the Auckland meccano Guild and David and I suspect with a great degree of help from Elizabeth had baked a celebratory cake for the occasion. The 35 was marked out in Meccano on the top and the entire cake was surrounded with the largest collection of multicolored flat trunnions I have ever seen.
Auckland Meccano Guild members at David walls for the 35 anniversary from left Henry Porter, Michael Holderness, Graham Mills, Gerald Hart, , Graham Wrightson,George Ovenden, Kegan Wrightson, John Denton, Matthew Carey ( Holding sign) ,Richard Sealey, Les Megget, Neil Carey, Rick Vine, William Irwin, Mike Stuart, Gary Higgins, David Wall.
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Now to get back to Meccano, David, as well as displaying a supermodel of the motor chassis had devised a multi drive band display to demonstrate how multiple pulleys and drive bands can be used effectively.
John Denton had brought along a very nice O gauge railway
( you see we do appreciate model trains as well )
Graham Mills had brought a horseless carriage in red green meccano modeled off a design by Bruce Geange.
Gary Higgins had two aircraft he had made up based on the 1930s meccano aero constructors. He had made a hurricane using replicas of the tapered wings found in European sets and had modified the tail assembly to give the aircraft a more modern look. He had also made a trimotor passenger aircraft of his own design. He had brought a model of the new pink VW and a 1920's model of a tractor and plough.
Gerald Hart had made a nice traction engine and had also brought his superb version of a marine engine a marvel in intricate mini engineering.
From Left Richard Sealey, Neil Carey, Graham Mills, Michael Holderness and Matthew Carey all appraise the Scammel Explorer by Les Megget.
Henry Porter ( left ) and Les Megget discuss the mechanisms created by Richard Sealey
Les Megget presented his Scammel Explorer, a go anywhere vehicle completed with the excellence that Les is capable of achieving, he appears to have the ability to visualise complex gearboxes in his head, leaving the rest of us to wonder at how he does it.
Mike Stuart brought along a very compact model of a Climax logging engine.
Rick vine had made his own version of the chattering teeth party favorite and a Meccanograph constructed manly from the space base set based on an original concept by Nigel Pope.It was interesting in that the Table revolved and the pen was fixed. Rick also had a miniature locomotive a microlite aircraft and a dockside crane built from the 30's vintage set.
Graham and kegan Wrighton attended and Kegan had brought a model of a 1812 cannon .
Matthew Carey had built a very nice warship using a Buz model plan but from meccano ex the new 30's vintage set.
Henry Porter had brought along his large model of a floating crane with twin booms which worked very well and he also had a steam truck in blue/gold and an extended seaplane of his own design
Richard Sealey had brought an impressive selection of meccano gearing all based on a solid base, this model demonstrated most of the well known, and little known Meccano Mechanisms. Richard also had a no1 aero motor and the mainframe of a set 0 aero set.
George Ovenden had constructed a large windmill which worked exceedingly well and he had used the 2.5x5.5 plates to advantage by flattening them out and removing the unwanted end flanges,
Neil Carey has been building another of his super trains. This time he had the chassis of an NZR ww class loco with working valvegear, he has a way to go yet with the model but Im sure it will live up to his usual standard. Neil also had a 1920's electric motor.
Michael Holderness brought along a nice selection of small brass parts he has been machining on a lathe.
William Irwin had brought along his selection of many of the latest meccano model magazines from around the world.
A great number of new models and what better way to celebrate the clubs 35th birthday than with a great afternoon tea and a superb birthday cake. I wonder if David had any idea how popular his original concept would become over the years. ( That's probably another story worth telling )
David looks on to ensure that none of the meccano is damaged while Elizabeth cuts the cake.
To link to other picture of the meeting available on Flickr please click on the above photo