"Constructing Minifigs 15mm Stagecoach" Topic

I recently found a Minifigs Stagecoach kit in my lead pile and thought I would have a go at putting it together. The only problem is it doesn't come with any instructions and there are a couple of pieces I can't identify.

The parts in question are the two curved sections in the lower left of the picture. I am not even sure if I am meant to use the pieces in their entirety or whether they are on sprues that need to be removed. I'm also not sure about the long thin piece, second from the left in the middle row. I assume it is the brake lever but I can't work out how to attach it.

If anyone has managed to put the model together I would love to hear from you. Otherwise it's going back on the lead pile for a few more years.

link

Its hard to tell from the picture but I think those are the springs that should support the body of the coach. Here are some reference pictures of a Wells Fargo Stagecoach that sits in the Wells Fargo bank in Sacramento. That might help identify those parts.

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Wow that is comprehensive!

Thanks Heisler,

I think you are right and they are the springs but even after studying the pictures I can't work out how to attach them (or even which part is spring and which part is sprue).

I built it more than a decade ago. I remember that it was extremely difficult to put together but well worth the effort once it was done. I have three pictures of mine (pics 21, 22, and 23) on my Wild West Gallery. I'm not sure how much help they will be but you can see them at warin15mm.com/Wildwest.html

I wish all of these multipart models came with instructions on how to assemble them correctly.

If you can post a bigger picture of those parts I'll see if I can at least decipher which part is spring and which is sprue.

If you look at the driver's seat, in front of the attached saddle bag-looking part, you should see what looks like a pin projecting downward. One end of the strap affixes there. The other end should follow the contour of the coach body and attach to the frame. It should give the appearance of supporting the front of the coach's body.

Hope that helps. I had assembly instructions but do not have them here, in Germany, with me.

v/r
Tom Dye
Ex-GFI

@War in 15mm. Funnily enough I had already checked your site as I remembered seeing it there before. Unfortunately, the pictures are too small to make out the details. Beautiful work though. I love looking at your site. Inspirational stuff.

@Heisler, I'm afraid that's the biggest picture I've got (I took it from the Minifigs website).

@Tom Dye. Thanks Tom. I'll give it another go and see if I can make it work. Mind you I'm beginning to think this model doesn't want to be made. I was trying to fit it together and I dropped one of the wheels and haven't been able to find it again.

Three wheels on my wagon but I'm still rolling along . . .

Hey, if only three wheels on your wagon – you are good to recreate a game written up in an old issue of WI -- by that title "Three Wheels On My Wagon."

If you don't sort it out, I will pull out my assembled version (bought that way) and figure it out for you. Just might be a few days before I can get to it.

Thanks Early morning writer, I appreciate it. And hopefully by the time you find your model I will have managed to find my wheel.

I built that model a few years ago. Hated every minute of it, sorry to say. Those springs are not robust enough to bear the weight of the carriage once assembled, and I struggled to get it together. Extensive modification was required to make it even look decent.

If you really want a stagecoach, do yourself a favor and buy the one from 4Ground in the UK.

Well, I've found the lost wheel so I am going to give it a go. But I'm still not sure what to do with those springs …

I just received the suttler's wagon and ACW ambulance. They look like a fair size project to put together. Something for a rainy day at home.

Sj, you are not forgotten, just haven't had time in this busy holiday season.

Okay, I pulled out my assembled stage coach and studied it a bit – and I'm afraid I don't see that part on it, nor do I see it with my unassembled stage coaches. Maybe they changed the design? Seems likely since I didn't get the seven figures shown in your photo, only six.

Thanks Early Morning Writer,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I must confess I had given up on the project in frustration and put it back in the drawer for another day. It's frustrating because it looks like it could be a lovely little model. It's just a shame it doesn't come with any instructions.