1944 Autocar U-7144T

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Simply Amazing! I wish that I had half of your talent Charles!

[hct728(Bob)]

2 hours ago, Chariots of Fire said:

Got a dilemma, Tom.  I ordered a Tankograd book for trailers that the Autocar pulled thinking that it would have some photos and details of the fuel tankers.  No such luck!  The have the open box type trailers in two types, and other rigs but no fuel trailers.  So I may end up doing the 25 foot wood sides general materials trailer.  They were used in hauling goods from the beachfront to the troops after Normandy.  I do have some basic fuel trailer photos but not much of the undersides.  May have to wing it!  BTW the fuelers were made by Heil.

There is a 1/72 scale kit with the F-1 fuel trailer and it looks pretty nicely detailed for its small scale... you can see the sprue contents at the link https://ca.super-hobby.com/products/WWII-USAAF-8th-Air-Force-Bomber-Resupply-Set.html

[hct728(Bob)]

Also  a manual on eBay, check out the drawings 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224735824189

 

[Rockford]

This is really impressive stuff, miniature engineering. 

[Chariots of Fire]

Thanks, Bob for the pix.  I saved them for reference.  My trailer will be single axle but the details will be very helpful.  As far as the treadplate is concerned, I'll do a little tutorial here on it.  All it takes is a piece of plastic treadplate, some aluminum foil and a pencil with an eraser on it.

[hct728(Bob)]

On 8/1/2023 at 9:48 AM, Chariots of Fire said:

Thanks, Bob for the pix.  I saved them for reference.  My trailer will be single axle but the details will be very helpful.  As far as the treadplate is concerned, I'll do a little tutorial here on it.  All it takes is a piece of plastic treadplate, some aluminum foil and a pencil with an eraser on it.

Well, if that's all it is...I was just wondering how the foil keeps it shape when being glued, I usually use a firm hand to get a good bond, can't have parts falling off

[Chariots of Fire]

  I've reposted the tutorial in the tutorial section of the forum.

 

Edited August 4, 2023 by Chariots of Fire
text correction

[Butter 1]

Nicely done. The use of brass for the springs, bumpers and frame rails in particular really give the model realistic dimensions.

[Chariots of Fire]

Beginning to close in on the finish line.  Still plenty to go but many of the details have been added to both the cab and chassis.  The wood decking over the gas tank and frame have been added along with door handles inside and out, rear view mirrors and the cab interior is done.  The spare tires are mounted on separate brackets that are attached to the frame.  Early versions of the U-7144 had steel deck plates but as the war wore on, wood was substituted for the steel.  It did the job for uses that did not get a lot of wear.  I used some basswood strips to form the decks and retained some of the openness of the grain for contrast.

And work has begun on the soft top using two ply tissue with white glue/water mix to shrink and stiffen it.  Decals have been added and I ended up changing the windshield wipers.  The first ones didn't look that good and fortunately they were easy to remove.

 

[hct728(Bob)]

I really like the realistic wood planks, fasteners and all, and the deck looks like the skids we sometimes see in more modern times. A close up view of those wipers reveals them to be soldered brass just bent to pivot in their mounting holes, very clever! Those mirrors look a lot more complicated, both the mount on the cowl and the swiveling head (or so it seems), very realistic even up close. Nice view of that treadplate, too, thank you! Gotta try it

[Chariots of Fire]

Hey, Bob.  I turned the mirrors from aluminum rod.  Just drilled a small hole in the back for a pin and added the arm.  The other end of the arm fits inside a small section of square channel and with a pin through both.

[gotnitro?]

Love the details