Crimea_River
Marshal
Thanks Terry. Likely a longer term project and more than likely I will never get around to it. I have the Belcher bits SBCs.
B-24 Liberator Diorama - 1/48th Scale.
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- #262
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
You're welcome Andy - just shout if you need the info / sources etc.
There's an error in my previous post - the vehicles / trailers etc are from Accurate Armour, not Accurate Miniatures as originally posted. I've edited the post accordingly.
The Ammunition Trailer - Part Four.
The Revell "Clark" tractor has been partially dry-assembled, and the trailer loosely balance on its wheels, to check the relative height of the tractor towing hitch in relation to the trailer towing eye, and the height and angle are fine, so this tractor will be used.
I was slightly concerned as to the authenticity of the "Clark" tractor in this role, so did some further research, which confirmed it was, indeed, used for towing ammo and bomb trailers, as well as moving aircraft. I was also surprised to learn that this little, 6.2 hp vehicle was capable of towing a 90 ton load !!
Incidentally, this tractor was also supplied to the RAF, and wartime photos show it being used in similar roles.
Tail lamps have been added to the trailer, made from plastic rod, and the "lenses" will be painted gloss red later. The jockey wheel post locking lever has been made and fitted, using thin plastic rod, and the Airfix Bedford kit tail gate attached, in the open position. The electrical cable and plug have yet to be made and attached, ready to connect to the tractor, and this will be done once painting is completed.
Next step is to assemble the Revell "Clark" tractor, possibly with a little extra detail, and then paint this and the trailer.
My left wrist is rather painful and swollen at the moment, so I'm having a break from the bench, and will hopefully get back to things some time tomorrow.
Pics below, and apologies for the poor quality of the first two images.
There's an error in my previous post - the vehicles / trailers etc are from Accurate Armour, not Accurate Miniatures as originally posted. I've edited the post accordingly.
The Ammunition Trailer - Part Four.
The Revell "Clark" tractor has been partially dry-assembled, and the trailer loosely balance on its wheels, to check the relative height of the tractor towing hitch in relation to the trailer towing eye, and the height and angle are fine, so this tractor will be used.
I was slightly concerned as to the authenticity of the "Clark" tractor in this role, so did some further research, which confirmed it was, indeed, used for towing ammo and bomb trailers, as well as moving aircraft. I was also surprised to learn that this little, 6.2 hp vehicle was capable of towing a 90 ton load !!
Incidentally, this tractor was also supplied to the RAF, and wartime photos show it being used in similar roles.
Tail lamps have been added to the trailer, made from plastic rod, and the "lenses" will be painted gloss red later. The jockey wheel post locking lever has been made and fitted, using thin plastic rod, and the Airfix Bedford kit tail gate attached, in the open position. The electrical cable and plug have yet to be made and attached, ready to connect to the tractor, and this will be done once painting is completed.
Next step is to assemble the Revell "Clark" tractor, possibly with a little extra detail, and then paint this and the trailer.
My left wrist is rather painful and swollen at the moment, so I'm having a break from the bench, and will hopefully get back to things some time tomorrow.
Pics below, and apologies for the poor quality of the first two images.
Crimea_River
Marshal
Nifty stuff. 6 HP to tow 90 tons is all about gearing Terry. One 1600 ton section of Toronto's retractable roof stadium requires only 200hp to move.
Vic Balshaw
Major General
Those "Clark" tractors were still in use in my RAF days Terry, that was in the 60s and early70s it was a very robust little machine. The wheels on the trailer were also a common wheel used on a number of RAF ancillary equipment's. I particularly remember a hand walked grass cutter with these wheels being walked round our Married Quarters playing field. That was in the days when the RAF had garden maintenance staff and on some stations an animal farm. 
- Thread starter
- #266
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Yes Vic, the trailer wheels are typical RAF, and certainly not American in appearance, the latter being pressed spoke type, like the front wheels on the fuel tanker tractor unit, but they'll have to do, and hopefully the general viewer won't know any different !
I had considered buying a set of resin wheels, designed for the Tamiya trucks, to use on the two trailers, but the set costs as much as the Tamiya kits, so I said "B*ll*cks to that !!".
I remember seeing a Clark tractor on a RAF station, probably Acklington, in the early 1960's, and I'm fairly sure one was in use for baggage trolleys, and general towing, at Woolsington (now Newcastle International) Airport during the same period.
I had considered buying a set of resin wheels, designed for the Tamiya trucks, to use on the two trailers, but the set costs as much as the Tamiya kits, so I said "B*ll*cks to that !!".
I remember seeing a Clark tractor on a RAF station, probably Acklington, in the early 1960's, and I'm fairly sure one was in use for baggage trolleys, and general towing, at Woolsington (now Newcastle International) Airport during the same period.
- Thread starter
- #267
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
I've put the ammo trailer aside for now, as it has reached the painting stage, and might as well be painted at the same time as the tractor. Consequently, I've started work on the Revell "Clark" tractor, described below, and I'll be back with the trailer once it's painted, and the ammo load sorted.
The Clark tractor - Part One.
This is part of the Revell Ground Equipment Set, from 1996, and no longer in production. I picked this up for £7 a few years back, without the box, hoses, decals or instructions, but all the items are simple and straightforward, so no problem. The set pops up now and then on e-bay and used kit dealer's sites, and I've just seen one offered at £27, plus shipping !
I downloaded the instructions from the 'net, but they're rather vague, so only partly useful.
As this is a simple kit, with few parts, I thought it would be an easy, relatively quick build, as only minimal extra detail will be added.
WRONG !
All of the main parts have a multitude of heavy, raised ejector pins all over the place, like a bad rash, with some in places difficult to reach. Some of these actually foul the fit of parts, and others are in ridiculous places, preventing the parts from fitting all together !
The latter was particularly true of the engine, which itself was a poor fit anyway, and some pins were discovered inside the engine halves, where the locating slots are positioned, preventing the assembled engine from bedding-down onto the body frame.
This was only discovered after assembling the engine, and doing a trial fit, so, after already spending around two hours removing the other pins, I had to start again, laboriously filing inside the very confined space between the engine halves.
The engine was fitted in place, sort of, eventually, and there are gaps in some joints, but fortunately these won't be seen once the bodywork is in place.
I had considered adding ignition wires and fuel hoses etc, but this would be very fiddly in the confined space and, as these would be virtually impossible to see when the tractor is in its final position on the diorama base, I quickly binned that idea !
The engine was left to set, and then the basic painting was undertaken, with some detail painting yet to be completed.
Next step was to look at the chassis, which is a one-piece moulding incorporating the underside of the engine, gearbox, transmission and basic representations of the steering arms and leaf springs. These are just plain "lumps", but do have the ends of the spring layers moulded in. As the fronts of the front springs, and the rear of the rear springs will possibly be visible, a half-hearted attempt has been made to engrave lines to represent the individual spring layers.
The entire underside was then painted very dark grey, which will be "dirtied" later, once the exhaust, springs and other details have been painted.
The remainder of the kit parts have been cleaned-up to remove mould seams, ejector pins and sprue attachments, and a plastic rod frame added to the rear of the driver's seat, to improve the appearance a little.
That's it for now, and I'll be back sometime over the weekend with another up-date.
The Clark tractor - Part One.
This is part of the Revell Ground Equipment Set, from 1996, and no longer in production. I picked this up for £7 a few years back, without the box, hoses, decals or instructions, but all the items are simple and straightforward, so no problem. The set pops up now and then on e-bay and used kit dealer's sites, and I've just seen one offered at £27, plus shipping !
I downloaded the instructions from the 'net, but they're rather vague, so only partly useful.
As this is a simple kit, with few parts, I thought it would be an easy, relatively quick build, as only minimal extra detail will be added.
WRONG !
All of the main parts have a multitude of heavy, raised ejector pins all over the place, like a bad rash, with some in places difficult to reach. Some of these actually foul the fit of parts, and others are in ridiculous places, preventing the parts from fitting all together !
The latter was particularly true of the engine, which itself was a poor fit anyway, and some pins were discovered inside the engine halves, where the locating slots are positioned, preventing the assembled engine from bedding-down onto the body frame.
This was only discovered after assembling the engine, and doing a trial fit, so, after already spending around two hours removing the other pins, I had to start again, laboriously filing inside the very confined space between the engine halves.
The engine was fitted in place, sort of, eventually, and there are gaps in some joints, but fortunately these won't be seen once the bodywork is in place.
I had considered adding ignition wires and fuel hoses etc, but this would be very fiddly in the confined space and, as these would be virtually impossible to see when the tractor is in its final position on the diorama base, I quickly binned that idea !
The engine was left to set, and then the basic painting was undertaken, with some detail painting yet to be completed.
Next step was to look at the chassis, which is a one-piece moulding incorporating the underside of the engine, gearbox, transmission and basic representations of the steering arms and leaf springs. These are just plain "lumps", but do have the ends of the spring layers moulded in. As the fronts of the front springs, and the rear of the rear springs will possibly be visible, a half-hearted attempt has been made to engrave lines to represent the individual spring layers.
The entire underside was then painted very dark grey, which will be "dirtied" later, once the exhaust, springs and other details have been painted.
The remainder of the kit parts have been cleaned-up to remove mould seams, ejector pins and sprue attachments, and a plastic rod frame added to the rear of the driver's seat, to improve the appearance a little.
That's it for now, and I'll be back sometime over the weekend with another up-date.
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
Pearls before swine, eh? I'm sure it'll be made into a jewel.
Vic Balshaw
Major General
The size of those ejector pins, unbelievable. To pun yet another phrase, your turning a pigs ear into a silk purse. Pure dedication. 
Snautzer01
Honourably banned
- 43,086
- Mar 26, 2007
Indeed. Marvoulous to see it growing.
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- #273
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thanks very much chaps.
There were so many of those large pins, I was beginning to think the parts had been manufactured by Leggo !!
There were so many of those large pins, I was beginning to think the parts had been manufactured by Leggo !!
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Oh, was there now?
Splendid work as always guv'nor!
Pour yourself a rather large one old chap!
T Bolt
Colonel
Good stuff Terry
Lovely work so far Terry!
- Thread starter
- #277
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thanks chaps.
The tractor is partly assembled, and has had all major components painted, and the trailer has also had the base colour applied.
I'm not totally happy with the paint shade, as it looks a tad too dark, so I'll do a different mix and re-paint both units.
I should have some pics posted later today.
The tractor is partly assembled, and has had all major components painted, and the trailer has also had the base colour applied.
I'm not totally happy with the paint shade, as it looks a tad too dark, so I'll do a different mix and re-paint both units.
I should have some pics posted later today.
- Thread starter
- #278
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
The Clark Tractor (& ammunition trailer) - Part Two.
As mentioned earlier, the main components of the Revell "Clark" tractor have been assembled, and these, along with the trailer were painted in the base colour.
I wasn't that happy with the result, as the Olive Drab mix looked far too dark and green. Therefore, both units have been re-painted, using a mix of Revell RLM71, Humbrol Dark Earth and a touch of Humbrol Yellow matt enamels, which look much better.
The units will now be left to fully dry, before "dirtying" the wheels and tyres, and some of the lower sections of the tractor and trailer, and then completing the tractor assembly.
Gloss coat will be next, ready for a minimal amount of decals, followed by a clear matt coat and some dirt and "wear & tear".
However, before that, I need to rectify a major error in both the Revell instructions, and the Revell part for the steering wheel column.
The instructions show that the angled bracket on the steering column should be attached on the floor, and the part is moulded so that the column and bracket can only be mounted this way.
I fitted the part as per the instructions, but remained puzzled as 'A', there is a slot in the dashboard corresponding to the size and shape of the bracket, and 'B', the bracket covers the foot pedals when fitted as per the instructions !
A quick look at photos of the real Clark tractor confirmed that the bracket should, indeed, be attached to the dashboard !
The part has now been carefully removed, and the bracket will be cut away, mounted into the dashboard slot, and the column re-attached in the correct position.
Pics show the painting stage so far, and the Revell instruction step for the steering column, with the slot marked with "Here" and a red arrow.
I'll be back as soon as possible with a further up-date.
As mentioned earlier, the main components of the Revell "Clark" tractor have been assembled, and these, along with the trailer were painted in the base colour.
I wasn't that happy with the result, as the Olive Drab mix looked far too dark and green. Therefore, both units have been re-painted, using a mix of Revell RLM71, Humbrol Dark Earth and a touch of Humbrol Yellow matt enamels, which look much better.
The units will now be left to fully dry, before "dirtying" the wheels and tyres, and some of the lower sections of the tractor and trailer, and then completing the tractor assembly.
Gloss coat will be next, ready for a minimal amount of decals, followed by a clear matt coat and some dirt and "wear & tear".
However, before that, I need to rectify a major error in both the Revell instructions, and the Revell part for the steering wheel column.
The instructions show that the angled bracket on the steering column should be attached on the floor, and the part is moulded so that the column and bracket can only be mounted this way.
I fitted the part as per the instructions, but remained puzzled as 'A', there is a slot in the dashboard corresponding to the size and shape of the bracket, and 'B', the bracket covers the foot pedals when fitted as per the instructions !
A quick look at photos of the real Clark tractor confirmed that the bracket should, indeed, be attached to the dashboard !
The part has now been carefully removed, and the bracket will be cut away, mounted into the dashboard slot, and the column re-attached in the correct position.
Pics show the painting stage so far, and the Revell instruction step for the steering column, with the slot marked with "Here" and a red arrow.
I'll be back as soon as possible with a further up-date.
Snautzer01
Honourably banned
- 43,086
- Mar 26, 2007
What a build to follow. 
