[Big John S]

Always an attractive model for parcels trains when it produced by Hornby-Dublo and later Wrenn, the 'Fruit D' long wheelbase ex GWR 4-wheel van is one of the latest products of Dapol. I think they have made a stunning job of this van, I waited until the BR liveried version had been announced before I ordered one. This has now arrived and, to my surprise, it is almost a completely new model. The moulded details are much finer than those on the old Dublo/Wrenn version, and unlike it's predecessor where the underframe was only there to hold the wheels, this van has full underframe and brake rigging detail.
Having compared it to an old Wrenn 'Fruit D', the only part which seems to have been used on the new one is the roof moulding which is identical and I find it somehow nice to know that a little bit of Dublo lives on in this sophiscated new model.
I gather from reading professional reviews that the numbers etc should be straw coloured and not white as they are, but that's of little importance as re-lettering will be something that can be done sometime in the future to personalise the van a little.
To sum up, I think the new Dapol 'Fruit D' is a great model and it looks perfect attached to the end of a rake of Hornby Maunsells or Bachmann MK1s.
Big John S.

[Camborner]

Sounds brillliant-thinking of getting one when I can afford it-is it possible to see some pictures?

[Big John S]

Hi Camborner. If you want to see one, a picture is on the Dapol website, or the vans are currently being reviewed in the modelling magazines, including the current Hornby magazine, and I think there was also a review in the last Model Rail.
Regards Big John S