Dapol OO Gauge Class 52 Western D1039 'Western King' BR Maroon Small Yellow Panels Limited Edition

D1039 was built at Crewe Works and released to traffic in September 1962 carrying the all-over maroon livery with yellow bufferbeams. It was in this condition this for less than a year when the more conventional yellow panel was added in May 1963.

In March of 1964 D1039 appeared sporting an experimental Clear View Screen. Over a period of seven months the experimental wiper was evaluated with mostly poor results. The screens were removed in October 1964.

After the removal of the Clear View Screen D1039 went on to carry Maroon Full ends (Full Yellow Ends applied April 1968) before being painted into the standard BR Blue in February 1971. During its time the loco was allocated to Laira (three times) Cardiff Canton (twice) Old Oak Common and Newton Abbot.

The BR blue livery was shorted lived. The paint, lasting just under two and half years, was withdrawn when D1039 was also taken out of service in July 1973. It had traveled just over a million miles before being scrapped at Swindon the following year.

Ever since their introduction in 1961, windscreen wipers on Westerns were a constant source of problems. Swindon experimented with different motors and blades before turning to George Kent Limited and their design for a Clear View Screen.This rotary style of wiper was a common sight on ships and it was hoped it may provide a clearer view than the current pattern of wipers fitted to the Class 52s.

D1039 emerged from the works in March 1964 with this first style of Clear View Screen. Tests were carried out and initial observations were that the wiper would slow down if the loco was traveling to fast. Modifications were made and improvements noted but the drivers were still unhappy with the wiper obscuring their view.

The loco carried this wiper until October 1964 by which time it had become clear that the Clear View Screen did not live up to expectations. Anything but heavy rain showed the wiper to be ineffective plus if there was no rain the wiper collected a vast array of dead insects and was difficult to clean.The screen was sent back to George Kent Limited hoping they could improve the design.

More experiments were carried out after D1039 has lost its wipers but by November 1965 George Kents Limited had another Clear View Screen to try.D1006 'Western Stalwart' was chosen and the new design of wiper was fitted.

As with the first incarnation problems were discovered and rectified 'on the job' and this included Kents redesigning the screen. The updated versions were fitted in July 1966 and this is the version that our model will carry.

The main benefit of the Mk.II was the removal of four support rods that had impaired the drivers view but even with these rods removed, after fifteen months the Screens were removed from D1006.

Overall the Clear View Screens performed well in heavy rain but, even with the support rods on the MkII removed, the screen obstructed the drivers view considerably more than the standard wipers. They also cost more to fit and it was therefore decided the scrap the Clear View Screen as a reliable alternative. D1006 was running again in March 1967 with the standard windscreen wipers reinstated.

Our Limited Edition Model of D1039 will feature....

- Limited to 350 models
- Unique tooling for the Clear View Screens
- Factory applied etched Name and number plates
- Factory applied roof lifting rings
- Specially designed box
- Numbered Certificate
- DCC Fitted and DCC Sound Fitted versions available