B-24 Liberator Diorama - 1/48th Scale. (2 Viewers)
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- #102
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
The Re-Fueller Tractor Unit, Part 1 - completed.
The Tamiya kit chassis is now finished, with the recovery hooks fitted to the front bumper, angled as per the real vehicle, and the wheels & tyres painted, dirtied and attached. Each tyre has had a small "flat" filed onto the bottom, to aid attachment to the diorama base.
The entire chassis has been dirtied, although further weathering may be done once the whole tractor unit is finished.
I'm now well into Part 2 of the tractor unit, and I'll post the pics very soon .................
The Tamiya kit chassis is now finished, with the recovery hooks fitted to the front bumper, angled as per the real vehicle, and the wheels & tyres painted, dirtied and attached. Each tyre has had a small "flat" filed onto the bottom, to aid attachment to the diorama base.
The entire chassis has been dirtied, although further weathering may be done once the whole tractor unit is finished.
I'm now well into Part 2 of the tractor unit, and I'll post the pics very soon .................
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
WOW.
Vic Balshaw
Major General
Now that is a mean looking chassis. 
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- #105
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thanks chaps,
Just sorting the next batch of pics, and I'll be back very soon .................
Just sorting the next batch of pics, and I'll be back very soon .................
Snautzer01
Honourably banned
- 43,091
- Mar 26, 2007
Very very nice. And a joy to follow the build.
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- #107
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thank you my friend, glad you're enjoying it as much as I am.
The Re-Fueller Tractor Unit, Part 2.
This section deals with the main cab / body, built as per the kit, although there will be some additions in a later stage.
The cab interior is built up from the floor section, adding the front bulkhead, steering column, hand brake and the high / low ratio transfer levers, followed by the bench seat. Strangely, Tamiya do not provide the brake, clutch and throttle pedals, either as separate parts or moulded onto the floor, so these were added using small strips of plastic card - good enough for what will be seen inside, even with a door open.
Next step involved fitting the engine side covers to the floor section, with the radiator fitting into the front. A piece of fine, metal mesh was attached to the otherwise plain front of the radiator, and given a thin, dark wash, to give some "texture", although the chances of this detail being seen are fairly slim.
I found that aligning and fitting the side panels was a bit fiddly, mainly due to my rigid fingers, but also because the steering column and levers were in the way when handling the parts, risking damage or loss. I'd suggest that anyone building this kit would find it easier to fit the small parts after adding the side walls - and leave the steering wheel until later !
Once set, the cab, seat, steering column and levers were painted and dirtied up a bit, and then the steering wheel was attached. I'm not sure that the transfer lever knobs would be yellow and red, but this choice was inspired by the levers in the Series III Land Rover I once owned and, if nothing else, it adds a bit of colour.
The dashboard had already been painted, with a thin, dark wash applied to bring out the detail, and required the kit-supplied instruments decal to be applied before fitting under the scuttle on the front of the upper cab section.
However, the decal virtually disintegrated when wet, although I was able to save the two small instruments on the right-hand side. (I must ensure to give the remaining decals a clear coat before use.).
Rather than have a plain, empty instrument cluster, a decal from a 1/48th scale aircraft instrument sheet was used in the centre of the panel, and this is probably the only GMC 6 x 6 truck that has a RAF airspeed indicator for a speedometer !!
Once al this had been done and all parts / decals set, the upper and lower sections of the cab were joined together and then attached to the lower frame. The windscreen and side windows will be masked next, then fitted into place, with the passenger door in the closed position ( driver's door will be fitted partly open, later in the build.).
The lamps have yet to be fitted, followed by the grille, which needed a small addition as described below. (mirrors will be fitted last !)
All military vehicles bigger than "car size" in the UK and Europe had to display a "Bridge Loading" plate, for traffic control purposes, which was a yellow disc positioned on the front, right side of the vehicle. This carried the "Bridge Rating" in black numerals, denoting the approximate weight, allowing for axle weight, and ground pressure distribution etc (although Jeeps did not usually have this plate, they did if towing a trailer).
In the case of a large, towed trailer, such as this articulated (semi-trailer) tanker, the plate would show two numbers, one above the other.
The upper number would indicate the "Bridge Rating" for the complete, fully loaded combination, and the lower number the Rating for the loaded tractor unit / towing vehicle only.
From what I understand, the overall weight of this tractor / tanker unit, when loaded with 4,000 gallons of fuel, would be around 18 tons (at approx 6 pounds weight per gallon of fuel, plus tanker and tractor weight), so the "Bridge Rating" plate would probably display 15/3, allowing for axle weight and weight distribution etc.
If I'm wrong about these numbers, then hopefully, no one will notice !
Seems a small detail, often missed, but important, as obviously traffic control, route planners, MP's etc would not wish to send a 15 ton truck on a route that included a 10 ton rated bridge !!
Anyway, after painting the rear face of the grille, a "Bridge Rating" plate was punched from plastic card and cemented to the front face.
The grille will be attached once the lamps are fitted, and then the cab assembly painted, before attaching to the chassis. (the Bridge plate will be painted and decals added later - if I have suitable, small black number decals.)
Once that's done, there'll be a couple of additions to the rear of the cab section, and then it'll be time to spray the primer coat onto the tanker unit, ready for painting in the same, slightly faded, Olive Drab.
Pics below show how things are to date.
Thanks again for the continued interest, and I hope to have more to show soon ..........
The Re-Fueller Tractor Unit, Part 2.
This section deals with the main cab / body, built as per the kit, although there will be some additions in a later stage.
The cab interior is built up from the floor section, adding the front bulkhead, steering column, hand brake and the high / low ratio transfer levers, followed by the bench seat. Strangely, Tamiya do not provide the brake, clutch and throttle pedals, either as separate parts or moulded onto the floor, so these were added using small strips of plastic card - good enough for what will be seen inside, even with a door open.
Next step involved fitting the engine side covers to the floor section, with the radiator fitting into the front. A piece of fine, metal mesh was attached to the otherwise plain front of the radiator, and given a thin, dark wash, to give some "texture", although the chances of this detail being seen are fairly slim.
I found that aligning and fitting the side panels was a bit fiddly, mainly due to my rigid fingers, but also because the steering column and levers were in the way when handling the parts, risking damage or loss. I'd suggest that anyone building this kit would find it easier to fit the small parts after adding the side walls - and leave the steering wheel until later !
Once set, the cab, seat, steering column and levers were painted and dirtied up a bit, and then the steering wheel was attached. I'm not sure that the transfer lever knobs would be yellow and red, but this choice was inspired by the levers in the Series III Land Rover I once owned and, if nothing else, it adds a bit of colour.
The dashboard had already been painted, with a thin, dark wash applied to bring out the detail, and required the kit-supplied instruments decal to be applied before fitting under the scuttle on the front of the upper cab section.
However, the decal virtually disintegrated when wet, although I was able to save the two small instruments on the right-hand side. (I must ensure to give the remaining decals a clear coat before use.).
Rather than have a plain, empty instrument cluster, a decal from a 1/48th scale aircraft instrument sheet was used in the centre of the panel, and this is probably the only GMC 6 x 6 truck that has a RAF airspeed indicator for a speedometer !!
Once al this had been done and all parts / decals set, the upper and lower sections of the cab were joined together and then attached to the lower frame. The windscreen and side windows will be masked next, then fitted into place, with the passenger door in the closed position ( driver's door will be fitted partly open, later in the build.).
The lamps have yet to be fitted, followed by the grille, which needed a small addition as described below. (mirrors will be fitted last !)
All military vehicles bigger than "car size" in the UK and Europe had to display a "Bridge Loading" plate, for traffic control purposes, which was a yellow disc positioned on the front, right side of the vehicle. This carried the "Bridge Rating" in black numerals, denoting the approximate weight, allowing for axle weight, and ground pressure distribution etc (although Jeeps did not usually have this plate, they did if towing a trailer).
In the case of a large, towed trailer, such as this articulated (semi-trailer) tanker, the plate would show two numbers, one above the other.
The upper number would indicate the "Bridge Rating" for the complete, fully loaded combination, and the lower number the Rating for the loaded tractor unit / towing vehicle only.
From what I understand, the overall weight of this tractor / tanker unit, when loaded with 4,000 gallons of fuel, would be around 18 tons (at approx 6 pounds weight per gallon of fuel, plus tanker and tractor weight), so the "Bridge Rating" plate would probably display 15/3, allowing for axle weight and weight distribution etc.
If I'm wrong about these numbers, then hopefully, no one will notice !
Seems a small detail, often missed, but important, as obviously traffic control, route planners, MP's etc would not wish to send a 15 ton truck on a route that included a 10 ton rated bridge !!
Anyway, after painting the rear face of the grille, a "Bridge Rating" plate was punched from plastic card and cemented to the front face.
The grille will be attached once the lamps are fitted, and then the cab assembly painted, before attaching to the chassis. (the Bridge plate will be painted and decals added later - if I have suitable, small black number decals.)
Once that's done, there'll be a couple of additions to the rear of the cab section, and then it'll be time to spray the primer coat onto the tanker unit, ready for painting in the same, slightly faded, Olive Drab.
Pics below show how things are to date.
Thanks again for the continued interest, and I hope to have more to show soon ..........
Last edited:
Vic Balshaw
Major General
Beautifully done Terry, good detail. Maybe in some of your pics you could add something to give an indication of scale as some of that detail your doing is quite minute. Also, Merry Christmas to you Terry, have a good one my friend and enjoy all those bevies. 
- Thread starter
- #109
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thanks Vic, and a good idea - I'll try to add a recognisable object in some pics if possible.
Have a great Christmas and New Year, and I'll have a pint (or six") for you tomorrow night (Christmas Eve) !!
Have a great Christmas and New Year, and I'll have a pint (or six") for you tomorrow night (Christmas Eve) !!
- Thread starter
- #110
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Following Vic's suggestion, here's a couple of pics to give some idea of the size of the parts / model.
Vic Balshaw
Major General
Great Terry, that puts it all in perspective.
Snautzer01
Honourably banned
- 43,091
- Mar 26, 2007
Lovely work so far Terry!
- Thread starter
- #115
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thanks Hugh.
I should have more to show tomorrow.
I should have more to show tomorrow.
- Thread starter
- #116
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
The Re-fueller Tractor Unit, Part 2, continued .................
The body / cab section is almost complete and ready for paint, although some extra items will be added once it's fitted to the chassis.
The windscreen and door windows have been masked and fitted, and the right hand side door attached. Some reviews/builds have mentioned that there was a fit problem with the cab doors, but. I didn't have a problem, and the closed door fits snugly without gaps, The driver's door will be fitted later, posed open.
The headlamps and hooded convoy lamp have also been attached, a bit of a fiddly job, and the clear headlamp lenses will be fitted once the body has been painted.
I hope to get this section completed later today, after some kip (got up early in order to 'phone my daughter, who is in South Korea, as the call failed early on Christmas day morning !), and possibly get the primer sprayed on the tanker section.
Pics below show the latest progress ...............
The body / cab section is almost complete and ready for paint, although some extra items will be added once it's fitted to the chassis.
The windscreen and door windows have been masked and fitted, and the right hand side door attached. Some reviews/builds have mentioned that there was a fit problem with the cab doors, but. I didn't have a problem, and the closed door fits snugly without gaps, The driver's door will be fitted later, posed open.
The headlamps and hooded convoy lamp have also been attached, a bit of a fiddly job, and the clear headlamp lenses will be fitted once the body has been painted.
I hope to get this section completed later today, after some kip (got up early in order to 'phone my daughter, who is in South Korea, as the call failed early on Christmas day morning !), and possibly get the primer sprayed on the tanker section.
Pics below show the latest progress ...............
Vic Balshaw
Major General
It's going well Terry.
- Thread starter
- #119
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thanks Vic.
The cab / body has been brush-painted, as I decided it would be easier than spraying, although I may need to apply a second, thin coat.
A couple of mounting brackets have been added to the rear of the cab, where the kit-supplied pioneer tools rack will be re-located, and I'm currently figuring out the best way to mount the spare wheel and its "swing out" carrier frame, again behind the cab, relocated from the rear wall of the kit tanker.
I'll post some pics later tonight ................
The cab / body has been brush-painted, as I decided it would be easier than spraying, although I may need to apply a second, thin coat.
A couple of mounting brackets have been added to the rear of the cab, where the kit-supplied pioneer tools rack will be re-located, and I'm currently figuring out the best way to mount the spare wheel and its "swing out" carrier frame, again behind the cab, relocated from the rear wall of the kit tanker.
I'll post some pics later tonight ................
- Thread starter
- #120
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
The Re-fueller Tractor Unit, Part 2, continued ............
Getting close to completing Part 2, with the main painting and detailing done. Once the cab unit is finished, it can be attached to the chassis and then move on to Part 3, decals and further weathering etc., although I may apply the smaller decals on the hood and front bumper before attaching the cab section.
The body and grille have been brush-painted in a slightly faded shade of Olive Drab, mixed using Humbrol No.159 Khaki Drab enamel with a small amount of Humbrol No.84 Mid Stone enamel, and the Bridging plate painted yellow, although the latter requires a second coat.
The insides of the headlights were painted chrome silver and, once dry, the kit lenses fitted, attached using PVA, which is still setting / clearing in the photos. The grille was then attached.
The Pioneer Tools rack supplied with the Tamiya kit was painted and detailed and the shovel fitted, before attaching to scratch-built mounts on the rear of the cab, a bit of "modellistic licence", and re-located from the front of the Tamiya kit tanker body.
The cab unit was then test-fitted to the chassis, in order to work out where, and how, to attach the spare wheel on its "swinging arm" mount.
This item is intended to be mounted on the rear of the Tamiya tank unit, but the artic tanker trailer has its own spare wheel, mounted under the tank section. Study of photos of various versions of the GMC 6 x 6 truck showed that a similar "swinging arm" mount was used, behind the cab, either swinging downwards, or out to the right side, depending on the version of the vehicle ( see pic of water tanker, with sideways-swing arm - photo originally US DoD, in the Public Domain)..
Therefore, the kit parts were assembled and painted (tyre not weathered) and loosely placed in position in order to establish where to fit a scratch-built base mount. The wheel/mount will be attached once the cab is fixed in place.
As before, the pics below show the progress so far, and I hope to get the primer sprayed on the tanker unit, followed by the Olive Drab, and then the clear gloss coat onto both units, ready for the decals, in the next couple of three days.
Getting close to completing Part 2, with the main painting and detailing done. Once the cab unit is finished, it can be attached to the chassis and then move on to Part 3, decals and further weathering etc., although I may apply the smaller decals on the hood and front bumper before attaching the cab section.
The body and grille have been brush-painted in a slightly faded shade of Olive Drab, mixed using Humbrol No.159 Khaki Drab enamel with a small amount of Humbrol No.84 Mid Stone enamel, and the Bridging plate painted yellow, although the latter requires a second coat.
The insides of the headlights were painted chrome silver and, once dry, the kit lenses fitted, attached using PVA, which is still setting / clearing in the photos. The grille was then attached.
The Pioneer Tools rack supplied with the Tamiya kit was painted and detailed and the shovel fitted, before attaching to scratch-built mounts on the rear of the cab, a bit of "modellistic licence", and re-located from the front of the Tamiya kit tanker body.
The cab unit was then test-fitted to the chassis, in order to work out where, and how, to attach the spare wheel on its "swinging arm" mount.
This item is intended to be mounted on the rear of the Tamiya tank unit, but the artic tanker trailer has its own spare wheel, mounted under the tank section. Study of photos of various versions of the GMC 6 x 6 truck showed that a similar "swinging arm" mount was used, behind the cab, either swinging downwards, or out to the right side, depending on the version of the vehicle ( see pic of water tanker, with sideways-swing arm - photo originally US DoD, in the Public Domain)..
Therefore, the kit parts were assembled and painted (tyre not weathered) and loosely placed in position in order to establish where to fit a scratch-built base mount. The wheel/mount will be attached once the cab is fixed in place.
As before, the pics below show the progress so far, and I hope to get the primer sprayed on the tanker unit, followed by the Olive Drab, and then the clear gloss coat onto both units, ready for the decals, in the next couple of three days.
