Build a VR MU Louvred Van
Before I could build a model I was in a dilemma regarding the detail of the van ends as, unfortunately, the only photograph of this van that I had seen was the one below from PJV’s web site [Photo 1]. Some years ago I was lucky enough to be talking to a fellow modeller about kit bashing an MU van and that the lack of detail of the ends was hindering any progress. He told me that his belief was that the end sections were partly louvred like the sides, but that for some reason the louvre panels were fitted in the lower section, rather than the top section as on the sides. With the lack of any conflicting or confirming information, I have chosen that premise as my guide to completing MU418.
When I first came across this wagon, I thought I would just convert a wooden U van. Then I realised the axle spacing is 11', not the U van’s 10'6". To further complicate the situation, each louvred panel is 3" longer than the U van kit sections.
Construction
Normally, I build the underframe first. However, in this case, because we will be fixing styrene sheet onto the internal surfaces of the sides and ends, dimensions will vary. So I recommend building the body first.
Before tackling the sides and ends this is the one occasion where you should definitely read the instructions first. The task is more laborious than complicated.
Because these wagons were a temporary conversion, and to reduce conversion costs, the doors were located in the cattle wagon configuration of opposite corners to each other.
We only use
