British locomotive classes 44, 45 and 46 were an early design of diesel-electric locomotive intended for mainline...
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What is the difference between Peak Classes 44, 45 and 46 locomotives?Read more -
What was the purpose of the deflector plates fitted to the front of some steam locomotives ?Read moreDeflector plates, also known as smoke deflectors or smoke lifters, were fitted to the front of some steam locomotives...
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Why should I test fit before gluing?Read moreThe reason for test fitting before gluing is simply to make sure the piece will actually fit into place. One example...
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What is a model clamp?Read moreA model clamp is a lightweight clamp (or series of smaller clamps) designed to hold the parts of a model together or...
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How do I create markings on a model road?Read moreCreating road markings on a model roadway may seem like an easy painting task, but no matter how steady your hand is,...
What is flash on a model?
Flash on a model is the flat bits of extra material that you will often see attached to the various pieces of a model when you open the box. These are not to be confused with the sprues (or nubs) which are the pieces of plastic or white metal that are there intentionally to hold the model pieces in place within the kit.
Flash is created during the production process of a model. Often mass-produced models will be moulded between two or more dies in a process called pressure moulding. Over time during this process the dies can become warn and no longer completely tessellate allowing excess material to seep out creating the flash. It can also occur when the material being pressed possesses a quality that makes it difficult for the mould to contain the material.
Another form of flash is when the material is injected into a mould to create the model pieces. This process is usually referred to as injection moulding. Tiny air vents are incorporated into the mould design allowing air to escape and material to reach every cavity within the mould. Sometimes the material can escape through the vents and create a string of flash opposed to the flat flash from the previous example.
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