Aaronw

I think it is a shame Toyota decided not to import their FJ70 to us.

I'm sorry that someone died, but a bad part of me is thinking Domo Arigato Mr Roboto and laughing.

Well they used a '75 LTD wagon at one point, what's a couple years off. Based on the comments there is some debate on the year. http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_78061-Ford-LTD-Wagon-1975.html

I think there is some potential in the Bluesmobile, you've got interest from movie buffs and collectors, cop car builders and both of the guys who like to build factory stock 4 doors ( ) The Family Truckster has much narrower appeal, but maybe it could be done as a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon with the optional funky bits to do a truckster. Take it a bit further and maybe there is the option of sharing some of the tooling with a 1979 LTD sedan? (again with interest from the cop car builders).

Not that I am aware of, I'm guessing that is a modified late model FJ70. We didn't get those in the US so it is a Landcruiser I know little about. It has was the replacement for the FJ40 so shares some features, but you will have a lot of work to convert it. The FJ40 always had round headlights so the later style headlights will be an issue. The FJ80 (the 2 Tamiya kits linked to) is a completely different vehicle, so not much use for a conversion.

The bed is different between 1/2 ton and larger, not only longer, but wider. I found this out when building a 1950 F3, the bed is 48" wide on the 1/2 ton, 54" wide on the 8ft bed. The wheel wells protrude 3" into the bed sides as well, so it is not simply lengthening and widening, you have to deal with the inner wheel well. It appears to be taller as well, but I don't believe that is actually from taller bedsides, it appears to be just due to the truck riding a little higher which puts the top of the bed a little higher. Also 16" wheels on the 1/2 ton, 17" or 18" split rims on the 3/4 and 1 ton. There are some diagrams in this thread from Ford Truck Enthusiasts. I've found that site to be very helpful for finding info on old Ford trucks, even if you just lurk. http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1265202-looking-for-tonner-and-bigger-diagrams.html

Thanks Tim, I guess now it is just a case of finding some good photos to work from. The hotrod photos work for the basic block, but not the stock equipment that went on it.

Well it would get crammed into a early Ford C so I guess really only the top end and oil pan have to look the part if it comes to that. Makes sense though if the Thunderbird is 1/24. I think of the '56 Ford truck as 1/24 but I guess it is a real Revell kit so 1/25 not an old rebranded Monogram kit. Thanks

Utility bodies are great scratchbuilding projects, relatively easy and much cheaper than resin. A lot of the 1-1 utility body companies even have detailed drawing available online. This was my first attempt, a generic enclosed utility box. The box on this one was modeled after an early Reading utility body.

Is the boiler actually well done? I had a similar idea, but based on the few photos of built Flameouts I've been able find online, the parts look less than inspiring. Small photos though, not seen any in person. Try looking for Amoskeag, Christie, Nott, or Webb Steam Pumpers, they were some of the larger builders of self propelled steam pumpers. Many of the old horse drawn steamers were simply converted to motorized apparatus by making the steam pump into a trailer pulled by a semi-tractor, the same was done with other horse drawn equipment as well.

Drat.... Any reason for specifying the Thunderbird over the '56 Ford truck or '60 Starliner? I've got both in the stash, but no Thunderbirds. I've also seen reference to the Lincoln being a big block due to it's unusually tall deck height, approximately 1.25" taller than a Ford Y block. That would just require adding some sheet plastic to the top of the block below the heads correct? Any idea which magazine and issue Tim's article was in?

These double T kits? http://www.modelroundup.com/product-p/amt-r2-670.htm http://www.modelroundup.com/product-p/amt-r2-626.htm Great news if that is the case, I've already got a couple, plus the Fruit wagon. I didn't know that the other engine in the kit was a Lincoln Y block.

I don't believe this engine is available in any kits or even resin. It was used in some heavy Ford trucks in the mid to late 1950s so it would be nice to have one. If there is one that would be great to know, otherwise is there something close that might be used as a base to work with? How much resemblance does the Ford Y block of the period have to the Lincoln? I know there is a Ford Y block in the old Revell '56 Ford truck, and I think the 1950s Thunderbirds, and maybe the '60 Ford Starliner if it is close.

Yep, I've got a ton of projects that I tried and just wasn't there yet so they languish on the shelf of shame. Those also taught me a lot and I have completed models that exist because of those earlier failed attempts.

There are a couple military kits of the Oshkosh HEMTT available in 1/35 that could be a good start for some of these vehicles.

I've got a walk around of an Oshkosh P-19. The Amertek 2500L posted above it is on my someday list. The 2500 wasn't a very good crash truck, but it was fun to drive and I think they are a good looking vehicle. http://modelfireapparatus.com/apparatus/Crash/Crash1/Crash_page1.htm

I've seen a few flatbeds with a crane like that used to deliver propane tanks. The tanks wouldn't be that hard to make, and would be something different.

I like 2 in 1 largely because my preferences are often not the most popular option. With the move towards single "custom" kits I've been left out where in the past many of these would have included a stock (or at least stock-ish) option, that isn't there when the kit is full on designed as a hotrod or whatever. It has also allowed me to amass a fairly large parts box of custom items. Initially I thought I'd probably swap a pile of bits for a kit. Then I realized that even though I don't build traditional customs, some of these parts are rather useful for madmax style end of civilization subjects which I do kind of like.

The GM EV1, not quite extinct, but very few left. GM recalled and destroyed most of the cars built. There is supposedly only one in drivable condition, and a handful of partial cars that GM donated to tech museums and such.

I've only got a couple I can show AMT Tahoe Revell Rubicon

Sorry, I could have sworn I saw the term pre-order used which to me means pre-paid, my mistake if that isn't what was being asked.

He has actually posted some of his work on a 1974 Dodge truck. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101507 If that is the quality he can turn out great, but I know I've been burned a couple of times in the past so not too quick to turn over my money on a sight unseen product.

RMR are kind of middle of the road quality, but when you consider the price they are a really good value. I've bought several hundred dollars worth of resin from Ron over the years and have had no negative experiences.

You do realize neither of these aircraft utilized an option available to cars. The P51 mounted the radiator in a pod below the fuselage, and the Spitfire had wing mounted radiators. So unless you are suggesting a large pod above the car or adding wings... P40 and Typhoon would be more appropriate for a car comparison.

That is a shame, I think it would do well. I don't think as an unknown caster with no track record you are going to get much interest in pre-orders regardless of how popular the subject. You've posted some photos of your work which looks quite good, but there have been a lot of skilled, but shady resin casters out there and it tends to make people very cautious with their money.