For some time, Allen Doherty has produced a range of etched coach sides/ends/floors in 1:87 scale.
The 1:87 scale modeller who wishes to construct a scale coach can do no better than use all the necessary parts that Allen produces. Using only the etched sides, the Lima Mk1 coach can be greatly improved. Although space prevents me from giving a detailed step-by-step description, suffice to say that the greater part of the original Lima coach is retained. The section from the cant rail to just below the main windows has to be removed from the Lima moulding together with any remaining surface detail. It is also better to discard the Lima gangways as these are incorrect. The steel weight can also be dispensed with.
The ideal coach to treat is the BR Mk. 1 Composite, as the Lima interior can be used, painted more realistically. The original B4 bogies are undersized and incorrect for early examples of the coach. Firedrake Productions made a kit for a pair of Mk1 bogies. If these are used, suitable cut outs must be made to the floor. The floor/underframe section should be separated from the remaining body section and the cutouts made.
To achieve the characteristic BR C1 side profile, gently bend the side between finger and thumb while constantly checking the shape. Both sides of the etches must be thoroughly cleaned with an abrasive cloth and the door and grab handle hole enlarged to take these features at a later date. Door hinges can be represented with suitable lengths of styrene or brass strip. The sides should be sprayed with grey or red primer and when dry the exterior side sprayed with your chosen final colour. I find Halford's range of car colours includes a good maroon and green. Lettering and lining should be applied next and when dry the side sprayed with matt or satin varnish.
The glazing is attached to the interior side with a suitable adhesive. I used a contact glue, e.g. Evo Stick. The final stage is to glue the side to the remains of the Lima coach. This can be done with superglue, but alignment must be accurate at first go. It is better to use a glue which is more forgiving of mistakes, such as slow-drying types. Make sure that the side sits tightly against the Lima ends and lower side. The door and grab handles can now be fixed. Step boards can be fashioned from styrene or brass strip, the gangway recesses filled with a suitably shaped piece of styrene and Firedrake BR Pullman gangways fitted. There are other small details that can be added after the Lima roof section is refitted. Much help can be found by referring to "The 4mm Coach Part 1" by Stephen Williams (Wild Swan Publications), which gives a very detailed description of treating the same type of coach but in 1:76 scale.
There has been some adverse comment about the extra width when using etched sides on plastic models. If there is any it is minute. The same is true about the extra weight from metal sides and white metal details. The removal of the steel weight counteracts this and a heavier but free running vehicle has much in its favour. I hope the above will encourage other British 1:87 scale modellers to have a go using Allen Doherty's etches to improve what is basically not a bad HO product from Lima.