1:48 scale White 3000 and Flexi-Van trailer, part 2

Although it appears to be a simple "box on wheels" at first glance, the trailer is an interesting project in its own right.

AMT's 1/43 scale exterior post van kit provides a good starting point but the scale difference between 1/43 and 1/48 makes it oversized compared to the tractor. Using an O scale ruler (1/48) the sides and floor were marked at correct width, length and height, then cut to size. Sides were assembled "upside down" to get recessed area along top of trailer matching the 1:1. Triangular pieces cut from .060" styrene sheet were used as bracing to support walls and floor. Once basic box was together the nose section was cut down to match and glued in place. Kingpin area is filled in with styrene sheet and kingpin itself is built with 1/16" brass tube and .032" brass wire, much more durable than a plastic one. Roof cap is single piece of .020" styrene sheet.

Flexi-Van trailers are easily identified by the rails along bottom of van body side running most of the trailer's length, with a large number of holes in them for suspension adjustment. These are modelled from .100" styrene angle with .032" holes. Spacing of holes was kept consistent by making a drill guide from brass strip with two holes drilled at proper spacing. After the first hole was drilled, strip was set in place and a brass pin placed through one hole to set location of second hole. Each time a new hole was drilled, strip was moved down one and pinned in place. Lightly "tack gluing" two angles back to back kept hole spacing consistent on both angles as well.

Trailer wheels have styrene tube inserts that fit onto 1/8" square tube which replaced kit axles. Backing plates were cut from styrene sheet and air hoses added to the brake chambers. Styrene angle and sheet was used to build up framework that slides inside rails along van body, and styrene sheet and strip mud flaps replaced the kit ones.

Door hinges were made from styrene sheet and rod with fasteners represented using decal rivets from Micro-mark. These decal rivets were also used to add rivets to nose panel of trailer and along the lower edge of side sills.

Door hardware built up from styrene rod, brass tube and styrene strips along with styrene channel rear step completes the major details.

Small brass tube sections were placed in holes drilled into trailer nose to represent the air and electrical line connections, modelled with .020" wire attached to tractor and supported by .032" brass wire "pogo stick" behind cab.

Trailer is now just about ready for paint shop, and tractor still needs work on the cab roof. Part 3 to follow later with a look at the completed model!

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