Chariots of Fire Posted August 19, 2023 Share Posted August 19, 2023 Got the trailer started using a boat building method. Made up some bulkheads (trailers had them to keep liquid from sloshing around) and then began adding strips of Evergreen to shape the sides. Rather than try and curve sheet stock which has a tendency to buckle in the middle, the strips stay straight and only need to be sanded down and filled to make the surface smooth. I filled in the bottom with some 2 part resin to strengthen it and make it easier to sand the outside. Still plenty of work to do but it's a start. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted August 19, 2023 Author Share Posted August 19, 2023 A bit more progress today getting the strip stock glued in and sanded. Still some filling in certain spots but overall it looks ok. Nice and strong with no warping or unsightly dips in the surface. It's coming along and won't be long before it can be hitched up to the tractor. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hct728(Bob) Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Wow, fast progress! Great technique, and I like the resin poured inside to strengthen it, clever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Well done on the bulkheads ! The trailer progress looks great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 Its got skirts now! Got them done this afternoon. Still some cleaning up to do on the bottom tank surfaces. Still to decide if the top where the two filler manholes go should be narrowed up. It looks to wide and high right now. Rear bumper to be added along with the typical pintle hook and rings for chains. More detailing to take place on the tank itself and get the landing gear made up. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hct728(Bob) Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 That's moving along pretty fast! Must be raining a lot there, LOL! Kinda surprising there isn't a full frame under there, the tank itself is stressed like a monocoque design, unusual if you've built any tanker kits before. Very unique, again you've blazed a trail for the rest of us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 Quite a challenge to get the elliptical shape of the tank right, especially the end panels with their double curvature. You did it though! Impressive stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted August 22, 2023 Author Share Posted August 22, 2023 (edited) Hey, Steve! Getting the curves right is easier than it might look. I made templates on my graphics program and stuck them to some sheet plastic with contact cement (one surface only). Then I trimmed them out. Doing it that way made the bulkheads all the same. The double curved one the end was made last and the only thing I did was extend it some horizontally. I intentionally left the sides of the tank extra long and bent the bulkhead a bit and snapped it in place. Then it was glued in permanently. Trimming the sides to the shape of the end was easy after that. Take a look at the second photo down from the top and you will see what I just described. Edited August 22, 2023 by Chariots of Fire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted August 23, 2023 Share Posted August 23, 2023 Oh yeah, cakewalk that! 😆 I do see what you mean. Still inventive though. Good idea on the paper templates. It's amazing how your brain processes things like this, that's why I find scratchbuilding so interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted August 24, 2023 Author Share Posted August 24, 2023 Here's an update on building progress. The main tank portion of the build is done and details are now the order of the day. Bottom plumbing is generally done with some fixtures needed at the end of the discharge pipes. Hinged brass doors were made for the rear compartment. Two more small doors need to be made for access to the storage area for the discharge hoses. The back is now enclosed and will have a small pump and a box of tools. Need to get the landing gear finished up as well. One thing at a time!! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hct728(Bob) Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Wow, compound doors, two hinges pre side, awesome! Plumbing looks great and fits into the frame well, too. You must have some real great references, or one of these parked on the back forty, LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted August 24, 2023 Author Share Posted August 24, 2023 The tech manual has been very helpful and there are photos on line that show lots of outside detail that can be put into the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted August 25, 2023 Author Share Posted August 25, 2023 Got door latches done so that the rear doors stay closed. Also finished up the landing gear that allows the trailer to stand on its own. Steady progress with plenty of details yet to go. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 Outstanding craftsmanship, enjoy watching your builds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted August 26, 2023 Author Share Posted August 26, 2023 Couple more pix. Got the dome covers done and some louvers at the rear. About it for tonite. More a bit later. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngtiger1 Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 You sure seem to grab some unique subject matter. This another cool example of such behavior. Bravo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted September 1, 2023 Author Share Posted September 1, 2023 Here's where we are as of tonite. Most of the real work is now done with only a few details left. Compare the photo above with what we now have below and you can see there's been some real progress. In addition to the actual construction the decals are now done and some weathering has been completed. Several details added to the back of the tank including lights, handrails, steps, bumper, pintle hook and a set of small doors at the corners. Acrylic black and water was used to create a dirty look to the top. Weathering powders of black and brown were used on the sides. Tail lights are made from plastic tubing. The face of each was first painted with Molotow chrome, then Tamiya clear red. Then a decal was put over the top revealing just the lens area in red with the rest OD color. After the door decals were set, a new single edge razor blade was used to cut the decal at the folds. Setting solution was added to seal the cuts. The small doors open up long tube areas where the suction hoses are stored. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Outstanding work, great weathering, looks the part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flynlo Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 (edited) Another Masterpiece Charles! I always learn so much from each of your builds. Thank yo for sharing your techniques! Edited September 2, 2023 by Flynlo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hct728(Bob) Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Wow, fantastic job! The more you look, the more you see. Neat job cutting those decals on the doors, and then weathering them to suit the overall scheme. Those weathering powders did the trick for the soft shading effect on the olive drab, not so drab anymore, LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Always enjoy your project Charles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930fordpickup Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Once again, I am floored by your subject matter and results. Always a joy to watch a master at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted September 3, 2023 Author Share Posted September 3, 2023 Got some outside detailing done today. Gas cans and C02 extinguisher mounted on the top of the hose tubes. Now to fill up the inside of the compartment space at the rear and we are done. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trendsetta68 Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Awesome craftsmanship !!! 😇👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneckrigger Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Charlie, you never cease to amaze.....................................WELL done sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.