looking for 1/25 dually

[noname]

Does anybody make a 1/25 ( or 1/24 ) dual wheel truck that would be pre 1960? Like a 3 ton or whatever is close to that? I'm just looking for an old dual wheel truck with decent detail basically. I called a local hobby shop ( sort of local ) asking about a 1/24 Opel Blitz but they didn't think they made one. After looking on the internet it is obvious they did (Italeri). I've also found a 1/24 Bussing 8000 S13 that looks pretty good. Maybe these kits just aren't available. Looking mostly for 1/25 but a 1/24 would be okay. Having a real hard time finding ANYBODY that is presently making one. Know of anything??? Any help appreciated. Thanks

[Longbox55]

Some of what you'll be able to find will depend on what type of truck you're looking for, such as US spec, European, as well as weight class, like light or meduim duty truck. Since you mention 3 ton, I'm thinking you're looking for a medium duty. The Blitz is very good kit, although it does need a but of alteration to make it a bit better. One thing I didn't care for on it was the lack of an opening hood, but that's easy enough to take care of. It also is a good base to make an older US spec 1.5 ton Chevy, as the chassis is similar. There are some accuracy issues with the wheels, as they are Europe spec, but again, nothing that can't be easily fixed.

I don't know what type of bed you're looking for, but I have seen the Italeri Blitz in at least 3 different configurations, flatbed/sort side, fire truck, and stake. The fire truck version seems to be the common one found in my area.

[noname]

Thanks,.. what you said Lonbox is about what I was thinking. The problem is the hobby shop I was trying to get one from doesn't seem to be able to get any. And of course I was wondering if anybody else made something similar. Revell and Amt make big trucks but there doesn't seem to be so many medium duty trucks.

[Longbox55]

Another option you might try, especially if you're looking for US trucks, is the aftermarket resin casters. I know that there's a '50 Chevy 1.5-2 ton cab, a '41 Chevy 1.5 ton cab, and I beleive a few Ford cabs of similar size trucks (I'm more of a Chevy guy). Also, if a '60s truck would be ok, Modelhaus has a '64-'66 Chevy cab for a 2.5 ton tandem. While it is intended to be a tandem axle truck, the cab is the same as the 1.5 and 2 tons. You could use that cab with the Ford Louisville truck (with an appropriate engine swap) using the single axle rear suspension.

[Aaronw]

The Opel Blitz fire tanker is available from several online shops. I've seen them used with 40-50s Chevy and Ford trucks to make a heavy duty American truck. Opel was connected to GM before WW2 so the running gear is supposed to be pretty accurate for an older Chevy.

I've seen similar wheels on pre-war US trucks, so they should work fine up to the early 50s.

Tower has one of the lowest prices for the kit I've seen. I use them a lot, good service, and really fast.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRYX3&P=SM

If you are not interested in the fire equipment, send me a PM, I'm sure we could work out a deal to take it off your hands.

[noname]

Thanks guys. Wow, their not cheap eh! I'll call the hobby shop back and give them the number to see if that helps. I like the idea of the old Chev cab on the Blitz for sure.

[Longbox55]

The Blitz is alright for a '53 or older GM medium duty, especially the pre-war models. As I mentioned, the wheels are incorrect, and the steering box needs to be repositioned to behind the axle. The engine is resonably close to a GMC engine, but any of the engines from the US pickup kits would be much better. The trans is pretty close to the pre-war to '47 non-syncro "Crash Box" 4 speed. It can pass as the '48-'67 SM420 in a pinch, the only kit I've seen the 420 in is the MPC '67-'72 Chevy pickups.

[noname]

The hobby shop I was dealing with said they will be getting some Italeri Opel Blitz and Revell Bussing 8000 in. Both are quite expensive. The Revell is about $10 cheaper and seems to be quite detailed from what I can see.

[Aaronw]

The Blitz is alright for a '53 or older GM medium duty, especially the pre-war models. As I mentioned, the wheels are incorrect, and the steering box needs to be repositioned to behind the axle. The engine is resonably close to a GMC engine, but any of the engines from the US pickup kits would be much better. The trans is pretty close to the pre-war to '47 non-syncro "Crash Box" 4 speed. It can pass as the '48-'67 SM420 in a pinch, the only kit I've seen the 420 in is the MPC '67-'72 Chevy pickups.

How are the wheels wrong, I've seen very similar wheels on 30-40s US trucks?

[Aaronw]

Oh, and the wheels question is a question, not a challenge. I'd like to know what is wrong with them, not saying they are not wrong.

Can't seem to edit for some reason.

[Longbox55]

Bolt pattern. Not a hard fix. The US spec GM wheels from that era are 5 lug in front, 10 in the rear. Here's a link to Stovebolt.coms Gallery, which has lots of pix of pre-'72 Chevy and GMC trucks of all sizes. My link

[Aaronw]

Thanks, I didn't notice the bolt pattern, but looking at the photos I was talking about you can easily see the 5 bolts on the front wheels. As you said, should be an easy fix.

I've been to the stovebolt site before, it is a great reference for older Chevys and GMCs.