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 ..........