paul_c Posted May 9, 2017 Share Posted May 9, 2017 Been a while since I posted a WIP but yet again it's an emergency vehicle, a 1914 Ford Model T Chemical Hose Truck to be exact. I am building this for a friend of mine and it is the 1/20 scale Gabriel kit from 1978, a brand previously unknown to me but I'm kind of hoping someone else has built one of their kits? The kit itself is a mixture of diecast metal and injection moulded styrene with white rubber tyres, some acetate clear parts and some string for the hose thrown in for good measure. It also has a small self adhesive sheet of markings for a truck based with the Lancaster Fire Dept in Pennsylvania. I have to admit, I have never tackled diecast before and I'm quite surprised by the huge amounts of flash on the metal parts. If anyone has any hints or tips on how to deal with parts like this it would be gratefully accepted! Here are the obligatory box and contents pics....... I'm hoping to make a start cleaning up the metal parts tomorrow so wish me luck! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted May 9, 2017 Share Posted May 9, 2017 Good luck! This one looks like a good challenge. You might consider replacing the string with some old style cotton covered wire. The flash should cut off with a Stanley knife. Degrease thoroughly before painting. I've never heard of Gabriel either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 9, 2017 Author Share Posted May 9, 2017 6 minutes ago, Pete in Lincs said: Good luck! This one looks like a good challenge. Thanks Pete! I never considered just using a knife for the flash. I haven't experimented with it yet but I was assuming I'd have to raid the garage for my metal working tools! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 You 'should' be able to just score the thin stuff and it 'should' just break off. See how it goes on some of the sturdier bits first though! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 15, 2017 Author Share Posted May 15, 2017 Just a quick update. A good few evening's work has seen the metal parts cleaned up and ready for primer. The tip of using the stanley knife was good for the fine flash but for the heavier stuff like mould lines etc, I needed to use a combination of a second-cut file, needle files and sanding blocks. This stuff is hard! I'm quite impressed by the detailing in the kit though, the engine is a little peach. I have dry fitted the major body parts together along with the chemical tanks to see what it looks like. I think it's looking like a nice little model. Primer next! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 15, 2017 Author Share Posted May 15, 2017 Well, that's the body and tanks all primered, along with the seat cushion and cab floor/pedal assembly painted black. The next job is to finish the engine and make a start on the suspension and running gear. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver911 Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Nice looking kit....detail is very good for white metal....a nice change of pace. Looking forward to next update Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 15, 2017 Author Share Posted May 15, 2017 10 minutes ago, silver911 said: Nice looking kit....detail is very good for white metal....a nice change of pace. Looking forward to next update Ron Thanks Ron. I'm really enjoying it actually. Once all of the cleaning up is out of the way, it assembles lovely. All of the large parts are screwed together and the plastic parts are so tight, they could easily be assembled without glue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 16, 2017 Author Share Posted May 16, 2017 I finished off the engine today, along with the 3-part metal and brass plated radiator and surround...... Thanks for looking in. Until next time..... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tzulscha Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 That looks very much like the old Hubley diecast kits. They were a bit earlier (mid to late '60s I think, possibly even earlier) I built (badly) a bunch of 'em. Looks really nice so far! If I might make a suggestion, try a flat shoelace for your hoses. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimpion Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Wow that's interesting! I'm currently (very slowly) building the ICM kit of the Model T fire truck. This reminds me I should update my WIP! I had no idea this other kit existed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
injidup Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Typical. You wait ages for a Model T fire truck, then two turn up at the same time! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowQ Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 It is a very nice piece of work. I'll be very interested in seeing the running gear when it's finished. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 On 18/05/2017 at 6:18 PM, Tzulscha said: That looks very much like the old Hubley diecast kits. They were a bit earlier (mid to late '60s I think, possibly even earlier) I built (badly) a bunch of 'em. Looks really nice so far! If I might make a suggestion, try a flat shoelace for your hoses. Thanks Tzulscha. Yes, the instructions and the included catalogue do mention Hubley. They had a nice selection of subjects by the looks of it. Thanks for the suggestion of shoe laces, I hadn't thought of that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 On 18/05/2017 at 6:24 PM, Chimpion said: Wow that's interesting! I'm currently (very slowly) building the ICM kit of the Model T fire truck. This reminds me I should update my WIP! I had no idea this other kit existed. Ooh, sounds equally as interesting Chimpion! I'll have to search for your WIP...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 2 hours ago, SlowQ said: It is a very nice piece of work. I'll be very interested in seeing the running gear when it's finished. Thank you SlowQ. Here's the completed running gear just mocked up for a photo...... I've also got the main body assemblies painted. I used Hycote Rover Flame Red from a rattle can and I think it's mirrored the slightly darker tone of red that these older trucks used quite nicely. Next up will be to paint the running boards black and then I'm awaiting on some Valejo Brass paint to be delivered so I can get on with the pinstriping and detail painting before everything gets bolted together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowQ Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Thank you for the update. The speed and quality of your work is very impressive. I'm interested in your comment about the use of the rattle can (Hycote Rover Flame Red) as I have never found these easy to use to give a consistent finish with the exception of the Matt or satin blacks. Your coat seems of air brush standard. Is there any special technique you have? The running gear (chassis?) looks very nice and clean. Very nice build. Just an idle thought, was the dog included? Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 (edited) 14 hours ago, SlowQ said: Thank you for the update. The speed and quality of your work is very impressive. I'm interested in your comment about the use of the rattle can (Hycote Rover Flame Red) as I have never found these easy to use to give a consistent finish with the exception of the Matt or satin blacks. Your coat seems of air brush standard. Is there any special technique you have? The running gear (chassis?) looks very nice and clean. Very nice build. Just an idle thought, was the dog included? Regards Thanks for your kind words! I've always used rattle cans where I can for spraying. I don't own an airbrush so I suppose I've just developed a decent technique along the way. I tend to spray in a left to right, right to left pattern for one pass, then do the same at 90 degrees, etc, until I get an even coverage. I restore classic aircraft components as a side line so I suppose that helps towards the attention to detail! The dog isn't included unfortunately, neither are the crew. Edited May 21, 2017 by paul_c 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowQ Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Many thanks for your comments. I will try the cross hatching technique next time. Shame about the dog and figures but I await the next instalment with considerable interest. Best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 Bit of an update after a few quiet days, the Valejo brass acrylic finally arrived so I have been able to get on with the detail painting of the coachlines on the truck. I have also painted and assembled the wheels with their lovely white tyres. Next up will be to get all of the sub assemblies bolted together and then make a start on the equipment. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louiex2 Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 Hubley kits were sold under the Gabriel brand name in the 1960's. I'm not sure why the name change, but my guess would be Hubley wanted to differentiate the branding of the die-cast car line from the kit line. Someone else will hopefully come along who can shed more light. I do recall the kit parts are interchangeable between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 26, 2017 Author Share Posted May 26, 2017 Well I finally have a rolling chassis! Everything screwed together really well and I don't think it is looking as toy like as I initially feared. I have also made my only concession to the planned OOB build which was to replace the frayed old string that was supposed to represent the hose with some 5mm flat shoe lace which works out roughly to scale for a 4" fire hose. This was then added to the rear body assembly which consists of the chemical tanks, hose real and ladder rack. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DominiqueBeerts Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 This is looking good. These models were actualy designed as toys, and I have found somewhere on the internet that they were used in races. The model needed to run a downhill track and was then judged on performance AND building qualitiy. So in order to get the performance the builder had to build as secure as possible, and to get the most out of the 'elegance concours', it had to look great at the same time Nevertheless they build up very nicely if done with care, which shows here. I have most of this series in my stack and I am pleased to see one of them come by. You don't see them a lot in build fora. I have done the Roadster version. You can check the build pictures here if you like : http://s145.photobucket.com/user/db114/library/1909 Ford Model T Roadster _ Gabriel/WIP, although I must admit mine has had quite some modifications. Thanks for sharing this build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted May 27, 2017 Share Posted May 27, 2017 A bit late, I've only just found this. These any help? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c Posted May 27, 2017 Author Share Posted May 27, 2017 Cracking pictures! I have had trouble with researching details and colours as the trucks tended to be built bespoke to the customer. So many differences so I have decided to use a bit of modeller's licence and go slightly more generic. I love that Fire Chief's car though, so cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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