This article from the July 1960 issue of Meccano Magazine gives an overview of the features and capabilities of the real-life ‘Super 12’ Grader and explains how Alan Wenbourne meticulously reproduced these features in his 1½ inch to 1 foot scale Meccano model.

This is based on two Meccano Magazine covers, both predicting the future of air travel. The May 1932 cover shows biplanes landing and taking off from the top of a skyscraper with a square chequerboard runway. The February 1937 cover shows a rotating…

This was one of our informal quarterly meetings where our members showed off their latest Meccano creations. Later in the meeting Alan Wenbourne gave a talk on the development and operating principles of the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) and showed us his computer-controlled model of Volkeswagen’s version of the DSG.

Not quite a fresh start; built by largely dismantling my Bedford Dustcart. I think I have made the proportions of the bonnet slightly better. I have also hinted at the chrome strips across the grille that I remember these vehicles for.

‘Build something unusual’, said the Secretary. Well, this is only the second aircraft I’ve built to my own design. The others were mini-models and the Red Arrows jet, and I’m not counting the dumpy little aircraft I built for the Children’s Carousel. So…

Inspired by the cover of the December 1970 issue of Meccano Magazine, but I have made many alterations compared to the magazine model. The model is yet to be finished, as it requires a roof.

It is always a challenge for me, having built so many fairground themed models, to come up with something totally new, and so the main drive is how to push myself into doing something better. I never want to feel like I have just created another model…

Designed by Geoff Coles and featured in the July 1979 issue of Meccano Magazine. My version has some differences: Blue/yellow colour scheme. Not steam-powered. An electric motor moves and steers using caster steering. The head goes from side-to-side…

From the cover of the February 1935 issue of Meccano Magazine, powered by a single Magic Motor.

From the cover of the May 1931 issue of Meccano Magazine. The autogiro started with three rotating blades and was later modified to four as it was successful.

A diorama replicating the cover of the May 1959 issue of Meccano Magazine which featured ‘The Calondonian’ service between London and Glasgow.

Featuring a 4 speed and reverse gearbox, heavy-duty differentials, hub reduction (3:1) and inter-axle differential.

Meccano creations that can be driven around, travelling on just two side-by-side large wheels are neither new nor unusual (although I don’t recall seeing any recently, and I was in my teens when I last built one). In contrast to the traditional…

From the front cover of the December 1918 issue of Meccano Magazine, built with 1930 red and green parts.

Based on model № 41 in the 1931 Meccano Book of New Models, but built with 1970 yellow and zinc parts.

From the № 10 outfit manual with modifications such as the addition of an auto-reverse with pause mechanism.

In making a new ship for January 2024 I decided that something about it would have to be different. In previous such models where and if I had included cannons aboard, I had done so on upper and lower decks but always one immediately above the other…