Shermaniac Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 (edited) GMC CCKW 750 Gallon Tanker Model: HobbyBoss 83830 Born into battle during World War 2 this warrior fought it's way across Europe with the 3rd Army and kept the Army Air Corps fighters fueled. But, as with all old warriors and with the wars end it was put out to pasture.It's now 1949 and along comes Army Mechanic PFC Alvin King, demobbed from occupation duties and now an ex-GI looking to use his GI Bill to start a business. So, he looks for a truck to keep the locals back home supplied with fuel oil. On going to a surplus sale in Memphis he picks up this old tired tanker.She needs a little work, but it's a start! Using his old contacts at home he gets some contracts to deliver heating oil and starts to earn a steady income for himself and his new wife Milly. King Gas is born! Alvin gets some surplus blue and white paint, mixes it together and paints the truck to cover up the now faded Army Olive Drab.It's now 1951 and the fuel tanks have had their day, they're starting to leak and that's costing Alvin money. So, it was off to another sale at a scrap yard where he found a wreck of a truck but it had 2 good fuel tanks. He bought the tanks and had his own replaced. They were a hideous red colour but once he had them installed he had every intention of repainting them into 'his' distinctive blue colour – no more blue left! Milly had taken it for the house porch.While he was at the yard, Alvin also replaced the drivers side door and wing mirror damaged the year before. His fuel truck was now a mishmash of parts but he could still go about his work. He needs the work, he and Milly are looking to start a family but times are hard in the mountains.Another year passes and the bodywork on the truck is now starting to really show it's age although the engine and chassis are still OK, and spares are becoming short at the yards. It'll soon be time to get another truck but not right now, need to earn a few more bucks and get some savings. Milly is expecting their first baby and cash is tight right now! Alvin is doing 14 hours a day and just keeping his head above water but his customers are loyal and he keeps soldiering on ….......... This model build was an exercise in weathering and distress but over the time of this build a story was born. I used this story to place the model in context and with it came the amount of weathering needed.The story of Alvin is fictional but cannot be so far removed from the times that some of it must have a ring of truth to it.I hope you have enjoyed following this build and may join me again on a future project. Constructive Comments Appreciated Build shown in Work in Progress Also featured on our website at Leicester Modellers Edited March 9, 2015 by Shermaniac 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85sqn Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Really nice well done, I love the rust effec! It certainly looks like it has some history! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Excellent model, love your paint & weathering - & a great back story too! Great stuff!! keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Excellent build and really fantastic weathering, especially on the wheels Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louiex2 Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Nice story and excellent weathering. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stesca Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Superb, lovely finishing and weathering, just a really great feel to this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 (edited) Thanks everyone, much appreciated. To anyone interested, I shall be displaying this on the Leicester Modellers stand at the East Midlands Model Show at Hinckley Leisure Centre on Sunday 29th March 2015 Edited March 10, 2015 by Shermaniac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Love the door in original paint and markings which ties it to its original military use. Great job all over 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 That is an incredibly battered looking vehicle! Love the weathering effects, especially where the original paint scheme shows through 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Great story great build stunning finish Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Superb rust'n'weathering job – it really looks like it's been (ab)used through a long service life, and a great yarn to go with it! A small question mark for the pristine legends on the tanks – shouldn't they have picked up some fading and scratches and leaking oil during Mr. King's trials and tribulations as a hard working family man? ;-) Nice, and entertaining, modelling! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Superb rust'n'weathering job – it really looks like it's been (ab)used through a long service life, and a great yarn to go with it! A small question mark for the pristine legends on the tanks – shouldn't they have picked up some fading and scratches and leaking oil during Mr. King's trials and tribulations as a hard working family man? ;-) Nice, and entertaining, modelling! Kind regards, Joachim I suppose you're right Joachim about the decalled areas. As this is my first real weathering/distressing attempt for years I give myself license but thanks, I hadn't thought of that. So much to consider with these all-in extra detail builds. The Fuel Tanks however, were a new addition to his truck and whilst the vehicle is showing it's age he is fastidious in ensuring that the signage is pristeen (that's my story anyway - for now). I may well make some 'adjustments' should it ever see a diorama base at which point your observations will certainly be taken into account. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now