At first I thought that this bulldozer just needed a repaint but whilst stripping it I realised that one of the link connection points was broken off.
I have tried a couple of different ways to repair it but non have been successful and break as soon as the link is reassembled.

The model is all repainted so all I need now is the link - anybody got a spare one they don't need?

 

In response to my request above, I was contacted by a member of the Dinky club (Les Pickstock) who very kindly offered to cast a new part for me. I asked if he could give me instructions on how to go about casting the part myself and he supplied me with the instructions.

The following set of photos show how I went about it:-

This shows the part embedded in plasticene with vents etc. made of scrap timber. All surfaces were then coated with Vaseline to stop the plaster from sticking. Plaster of Paris was then poured in to mmake the first half of the mould.

When the plaster was set, the plasticine was carefully removed leaving the pattern and vents in place. It was then coated in Vaseline and plaster was poured in to make the second half of the mould.
The whole mould was then left to dry for a week before opening and the pattern and vents were carefully removed.
The 2 halves were then held together and the molten metal (a poor old Corgi truck that had seen better days) poured carefully in. The mould was then left to cool down.

These 2 photos show the casting when the mould was opened

The casting after the sprue has been removed. It now just requires the holes drilling and the slots cutting.Although not perfect, I was extremely pleased with the result - after all, it was my first attempt at casting.

 

The model after re-assembly.I am just awaiting delivery of the driver now to complete the project.