Ford Aeromax 120 and Italeri 48Ft Reefer

[Guest Johnny]

Anyone build these two kits? The wheel hubs on the drives and on the trailer seem to be unusually large compared to others. I know it is 1/24 scale but even then they look too big!

I have had these sitting around for almost 10 years and just cannot bring myself to start the build. I bought the trailer to go with the Aeromax because all the rest of my truck stuff is 1/25 scale!

I don't know wether to go with aftermarker wheels on them or just put the kits on evilbay!

[Simon]

Hi Johnny, I've nearly finished the 48' reefer kit. I'll post photos soon so you can judge for yourself. Opinion around here seems to be that the kit is totally inaccurate, but I decided to build it as US trailer kits are otherwise impossible to get hold of over here.

The body is not tall enough, making it look too long and low. The wheel hubs do look pretty big. There is no diesel tank for the fridge unit. The big pain in the neck for me was joining the ribbed halves of the trailer sides - the rib and rivet detail makes it hard to smooth out the joint, I'm 80% happy with my attempt. I'm going to hang it behind a 1/25 K100 Aerodyne, will post pics when I'm finished.

Here is a German language review with photos:

Click here for reefer article auf Deutsch

There was also a discussion on the board about it, see here:

Trailer topic

Edited January 17, 2010 by Simon

[Pete1980]

Well pretty much the 1/24 hubs are wrong and the trailer specs are a little off, but nobody will notice.The aftermarket stuff is there so you can correct it.Go to Timstrucks.com Great site.

[mackinac359]

For some reason Italeri makes almost all their hubs too big, except for the Western Star Constellation.

I have been grinding the too-large-of-hub out, then placing a "baby moon" hub cover on, or if you have lots of junk/left over wheels you can cut the hub cover from those and then install it on the ground-down hub.

The hubs here have the covers from a junked set of wheels.

The hubs here have metal "button covers" from the craft store.

Tim

[Guest Johnny]

Thanks Tim! Really enjoy your sight!

Guess a trip to Michaels is in order as I have no old hubs. Was thinking on aftermarket 2 hole Bud wheels for the truck and trailer if I can find some for the Italeri tires!

Now Ihave to figure out how to strighten a warped hood on the Aeromax.

Just was finally looking over the kit and noticed it was out of shape.

[Madd Trucker]

On the over al the trailler is the correct length Ihave an artical on makeing corrections to it if yo u like a copy over al it is to short hight wise you would need anouther trailer kit to correct it

[chuckyr]

Yes, the reefer trailer is totally inaccurate. That has been a bone of contention ever since it was released. It’s been 7 or so years since it was first introduced and it is time Italeri offers an accurate modern American reefer trailer, the way Italeri offered an accurate Schmitz European reefer trailer as a replacement for their long antiquated reefer trailer.

[chuckyr]

For some reason Italeri makes almost all their hubs too big, except for the Western Star Constellation.

I have been grinding the too-large-of-hub out, then placing a "baby moon" hub cover on, or if you have lots of junk/left over wheels you can cut the hub cover from those and then install it on the ground-down hub.

The hubs here have the covers from a junked set of wheels.

The hubs here have metal "button covers" from the craft store.

Tim

For some reason Italeri makes almost all their hubs too big, except for the Western Star Constellation.

Volvo VN rims are accurate.

Hey Tim, the fifth wheel on Italeri trucks is not accurate to North American trucks. Luckily I bought a lot of the Clint Freeman items.