Well, not being able to work on my original entry, I'm home, it's in my work locker. I ran across this dusty dungeon, double clutching demon, It an old MiniTrucks kit, from 1989. Scale is 1/50, and is made from resin, white metal, and some photo-etched parts.
I can sure say that the after market/limited run resin/white metal kits have come a long way since this was made. A lot of filing, and filling, and a few new words were invented to get the white metal chassis and axles into a somewhat square and level arrangement.

Looking good Dave, this indoor life is keeping you busy with models! :-)
cheers

Looks as if you've sorted the problems out ok, good so far.

Looks like a pretty cool truck

it looks very nice Dave. willing to see it painted

Hi Dave!!

You are doing a good job!
The evolution on resin products have really improoved in this last years... I know what you mean!

Keep up the good work!!

Skipper

MeeeeeeP , MeeeeeeeeeP!!!

"move on, we got ourselves a convoy...."

That looks like an real interesting subject you got there Dave, if there was any trouble you sure can't tell it from those pictures. Looks like you are coming along real good with it, can't wait to see it when you get it finished.

What is that an old Autocar, and what looks like their attempt in those days of a reefer unit. Which I think they used ice didn't they, instead of the engine out front like they do today for refrigeration, but that seems to have something under it, that I have no idea what that is.

That is what makes it really interesting, if it is an old Reefer unit, to show what they used in them days.
Kerry

Well the package calls it a Federal tractor, 1942, not an Autocar, although they looked pretty simular to me at least. The thingys is not a reefer, but the kit had a screen opening molded there, but airholes and the screen detail didn't mix, so I simply sanded down the molded detail, and rebuilt the screen opening using some fine screen, (from an old automatic transmission filter) and some thin plastic strip. The same with the reinforcing strips along the side, and around the front..... poorly molded, so replacing with thin wire, and plastic rod.

Looking good Dave. You are banging them out in record time. See what happens when you have a lot of time on your hands. Just think what it will be like when you finally decide to retire. You will have to add on to house just to have enough room to display all the models you will build.

Of course it isn't a reefer, cause they had no idea what a reefer was then, but anything with ventilation was for produce, and the only thing they knew then was ice boxes.

Even today to keep produce fresh, they cover it all with ice before it is shipped, to keep it moist, other wise that very same groceries you get in your store that came all the way from California would be dried out before it got to the east coast.

Even though it can make it in 3 days, that would still be to late if it was packed dry, but back in them days, they had to keep stopping and refilling with ice, but today, just once at the beginning will do it today. unless a break down.

And by the time it gets to your main warehouse in your area, all the ice has just about melted away, leaving moist vegetables, and fruit, then they deliver to your stores.
Kerry