With the end of the Second World War in sight the Great Western Railway instructed Hawksworth to design new rolling tock for the post war future. The prototypes were readied in 1945 and a building plan was made for 1946. Post-war material shortages and labour shortages meant that the first few vehicles were not produced until the end of 1946. With nationalisation in sight the directors cut back orders and the majority of these vehicles were built in early British Rail days. These were to be the last GWR style coaches built. Altogether 550 were built between 1946 and 1953 with withdrawals beginning in 1965 and ending in 1967. Some were transferred to departmental use and in time around a dozen were preserved.
The kits consist of a fold up etched floor combined with etched sides, and plastic ends and roof. Buffers, screws, underframe and roof detailing parts are included with the kit along with glazing material and pre-printed interior dividers. You will need a pair of suitable bogies. For those who prefer to use RTR bogies the Farish Mark 1 coach bogies are not entirely correct but can be used, except for the six wheel sleeper.
Full instructions are included as well as information on how to build the kit without soldering if so desired.
Kit to produce a Hawkwsworth coach to diagram C82/84, built 1949.
Kit to produce a Hawkwsworth coach to diagram D133, built 1949.
Kit to produce a Hawkwsworth coach to diagram E164, built 1948.
Kit to produce a Hawkwsworth coach to diagram K45/46, built 1948.
Kit to produce a Hawkwsworth coach to diagram E163/165, built 1948-9.
Kit to produce a Hawkwsworth sleeper to diagram J18, built 1951. This vehicle runs on six wheel bogies (UM553).
Kit to produce a Hawkwsworth coach to diagram A23, built 1949.
Diagram C82/84, built 1949
Diagram D133, built 1949
Diagram E164, built 1948
Diagram K45/46, built 1949-1951
Diagram E163/165, built 1948-1949
Diagram J18, built 1951
Diagram A23, built 1949
58mm overall length. Note this product was also released as UMP380 in some catalogues.
51mm overall length
Etched nickel silver. Requires 12 axle boxes (3 x UM505) and wheels. Bearings included.
The mounts include a locating lug so are not generally suitable for non Ultima coaches. For such vehicles see UM542.
Designed to allow the Dapol bogies to be used with our etched floor coaches or when scratchbuilding.
Etched brass. Includes top hat bearings. Requires wheels/axles (Ultima UM180).
Difficulty: Can be assembled with glue. Small parts.
Etched coach floor and solebars to fit the Ultima ends and sides.
Two per pack
Plastic moulded roof, ventilators and ends plus etched floors to produce a basic Hawksworth shell for use with third party sides. You will need to order appropriate truss rods and detailing parts.