This is the Fonderie Miniature 1/35 scale fuel truck.
I didn't get it finished for the last truck campaign, and still slowly plugging ahead on it.
Basicly it's the Heller duce and a half, with some rather basic F/M moldings for the fuel tanks, and spare wheel carrier. These are of the limited kit type, meaning overly thick, little of no details, and poor fit. The Jeeps cans were totally useless, so I used Italeri Jeep Cans.

Still got some more work to do, and I know the wheels aren't straight, as they are just placed on the model.

Hi Dave,

Looks like it coming together pretty well. The FM kits are a bit of a bugger, but you seem to be doing a great job on this one.

Could you tell me how you seal you decals?

I have to say I really like trucks, and this one looks good to me.

Thanks for posting this, only ? whould be the size of the decals on the cab door. Would they have been small ones or slightly bigger? Don't know the answer myself but the US liked to advertise who they where if you knwo what I mean, although I can see there's not much room so I'm probably wrong LOL, LOL. They look a bit odd because they have to sit lower down and if they are not necessary I'd be inclined to drop them and add a few bits of kit hanging on the outside of the doors.

Cheers

Al

Thanks for the kind words Alan...
aren't you suppose to be off getting married?? :-) :-)

I seal my decals by first spraying gloss, and it's usually what ever I have at had, sometimes future, sometimes modelmasters glosscoat. Depending on the decals, I usually use Micro sol and set. If this doesn't work and pull the decals down, I go stronger and use solvoset. (if you use these over future, it may soften the future, and give a milky appearence. Don't worry, just let it dry for a day or two, and spray on another gloss coat, the cloudliness will disappear. (over Modelmasters, I've never had it cloud) After all this dries,(I am never in a hurry, so it sometimes maybe weeks or months before I return to it) I spray my flat, and again I use what ever is handy. This one happens to have model master dullcoat.

The only decal that gave any problems was the gas tank one, for this one I used for the first time Mr Mark Setter, worked great, snuggled down in about two minutes.

As for the size of the stars, they are all the kit decals.
Also notice the windshield is already marked for the wiper sweep. I'll eventually remove the masking tape, and cut it out, put back on and lightly dust the windshield. I figure at my great building speed, you'll be back from your honeymoon, and have three kids... :-) :-)

Hi Dave,

I'll try some of the dullcoat and see how it goes. I'm not much of a speed builder either, the M7 was the fastest I ever build anything, and that was only because I had some extra free time. My Shermans took the best part of 10 months, I usually work across a few projects at the same time so like you it can be weeks or months before I do another bit.

Don'tknow about the kids, haven't any planned and I'm probably a bit old for all that, but of course pracice makes perfect!!!

Nice build - I'll look forward to the finished product.

Cheers

AL

Howdy fellas,

Real nice work Dave

How was the kit to build? You say it's the Heller kit, and I was thinking of buying it {when I was in Denver} because it was on sale, but hesitated because of previous Heller 'challenges'. I think the fuel section came out dandy. Are the gerry tanks individual or grouped?
Especially nice are those large, oversized stainless steel outriggers! Some kind of experimental mine-clearing device I suppose...

Tread.

1. "What are the Tweezers doing?" answer "Just hanging there..... :-) :-) Actually there is a small sign on the front. reading Gasoline, In the kit it is just a decal, so I needed to use a scrap of plastic card to make a backing for it. I figured I'd use a little artist license and attach the sign with a little thread represent cordage. The tweezers are simple being used to hold the thread tight until the scenic cement dries( I use Scenic Cement instead of a 50-50 mix of white glue and water, as it already mixed, flows better, and dried matt)
2. Tires are plastic, Just painted flat black, a wash of Polly S Grimy Black, then a filter of the small bottle of Testors "Rubber".

@. Gordon, good to see you back, hope you are doing well,

The Heller kit is more complicated to build than the Tamyia kit, and does require a lot more clean up, and alignment, but if you ever want to do a really detailed chassis, it's the one to use.

And crap, I just noticed a little silvering on the one decal..... the wonders of larger than life photos.

Dave,
Just out of curiosity, did the kit tell you what unit the decals represented -- I can see 3394 QM, but am unsure of "MTS" ...

Thanks,
John

Dave:

If you ever want to do another of these, you might want to try the CMK kit. I got one a few years ago and it was really nice -- even the jerry cans. It's designed to fit the Tamiya duece.

I'd love to post pics of the finished truck but in the process of painting it, one of our cats managed to launch it across my modelling room. I was my fault for putting it in a "tippy" position -- I normally don't have problems with the cats and my models. I put all the parts in a box and shelved it for a while. After seeing your nice truck, maybe I'll dig it out and put it back together!

I am really liking it! I did a few 6x6 and beeps recently and I am really enjoying the wheeled vehicles.

"...@. Gordon, good to see you back, hope you are doing well, ..."

Howdy Dave,

Many thx for noticing .....I'm quite glad to be "back". There's been more changes in my life than I can tell you {and I'll spare you the details here}, but the short is; I'm temporarily living on the Gulf coast of Florida for now, instead of my 'official' state of Colorado.
The 'down' side is; that I'll probably be bothering all you laddies for a wee bit while I'm here, since I have a tad more freedom to do so

Back to your truck. It's good to know the chassis is more detailed. But I gotta say, I'm surprised at that. I have to admit to being more on the dissappointed side of the scale in past Heller attempts.

Tread.

Now that is one fine piece of modelling. A very clean build.

Thanks again for the kind words,
John, unfortunately the FM additional instruction sheet doesn't give any information on the markings, but do include a few photos of the vehicle. The box art shows it on an airfield, so I assume it may have something more to do with the AAF, then the leg army.

Gordon, just about every part for the chassis in a separate part.

"..... Gordon, just about every part for the chassis in a separate part. ..."

Sounds impressive, albiet 'busy'.....do you have pics of some of the earlier stages of your build up showing the chassis before you added the cab, tank, etc?.....I must have missed them.

Tread.

Sorry Gordon, I didn't take any earlier photos.

Hi Dave just wanted to put my .02 cents in here ...Looking good and can't wait to see the finished product....keep us posted ..
Good Job sir

Rick