STEP BY STEP

1

The six figures and the wiring come in plastic blister packaging. Four figures come without working cameras, two figures come with cameras that flash and there is also a tripod that flashes.

2

These are the four figures that come without flashing cameras. The figure second from the right is designed to be positioned next to the camera on top of the tripod. He looks more like a wedding photographer…

3

The supplied flash effect chip just needs the red and black wires connected to a 16V AC/DC power source to create the flashing camera effect. The PCB is only a couple of inches long, which makes it easy to hide on your layout.

4

Gently unroll the wires from the packaging – they’re about 11cm each in length. Be careful not to pull the cables hard as they are very thin and can break easily. Also, take care to not get the cables tangled up.

5

You can see the fine wires on the figures and tripod. At normal viewing distances these wires are not too obvious and easy to hide.

6

The three cameras flash in a random fashion and two just happened to be on together when this photograph was taken. The LEDS on the cameras flash for five seconds then stop for a period of time.

7

Connect the chip directly to the uncontrolled side of a transformer. If you are using an AC transformer the wires can be connected to either side of the two connections. However, if you are using a DC transformer connect the wires with the resistor to the positive connector.

8

I positioned the chip behind a hedge on the layout. It looks obvious now but once the wires are covered the unit and wires will not be visible. Extend the wires by soldering extensions on to them as required but don’t reduce the lengths of the wires supplied.

9

Drill a 10mm hole in the baseboard where the figures are to be positioned and thread the wires through the hole and underneath the baseboard. I held the figures and tripod down with a little clear tape and a blob of Deluxe Materials Tacky Wax on the base of the feet.

10

With everything wired you can test that your alterations haven’t disrupted the current flow. Here, two of the cameras are flashing simultaneously – arguably the photographers should be wearing high-viz jackets at this event so consider where you are placing them.