MAQUETT MESH

Useful plastic material from Holland.

The Maquett range of plastic profiles and sheet material, distributed in the UK by Albion Hobbies, contains some really useful sections, rod and tubing, in styrene, PVC and other plastic compounds. Having only recently discovered the range, I've obtained a range of bits and pieces to test, with this PVC mesh sheeting the first to go under the knife.

Available in straight or diagonal grid patterns, the mesh has a pleasing woven texture (rather than being unrealistically flat) and is offered in near-A4 size sheets. It's flexible yet resilient and - best of all - can be bonded with strong liquid poly cement (such as EMA Plastic Weld or Mr Hobby Mr Cement), making construction quick, simple and neat. 

Indeed, I knocked up this modern chain link fence - about 8inches long - in about 10 minutes, using styrene square section uprights. After a few hours of curing, a quick blast from an aerosol took care of the painting stage and it was soon mounted on the layout the same day. 

While the fence looks fine on my OO gauge layout, it would also look at home within an 'O' gauge scene. You can see how it was built in Model Rail mag in issue 248 (out on 10 May).

The Maquett PVC mesh is available in square or diagonal mesh patterns - this is the diagonal version.