Rex Ross

I think this will be the last update on my Katyusha project. I'm not sure I'm finished with it, I just don't know what else to do with it. I have plans to build other types of interchangeable truck beds for the Studebaker cab, but I think a title change for future project postings would be in order. I don't think any of the future truck beds I have in mind are going to be anywhere near as much detail work as this bugger was.

Rex Ross

This troop or cargo bed was fun and fast to do ..... the key word being "fast".

MAUS45

Rex you must be retired right? I have so little time to work on my models and you just keep pumping out all this cool stuff!!! I am jealous!!! As usual this cargo bed looks great!!!

YHR

WOW Rex that is all I can say. You again have demonstrated great modeling skills to develop a great piece of military hardware. You are an inspiration.

DirtyBird69

"EXCALIBUR"...wow!

Rex Ross

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Yes, you are correct ..... I retired 13 years ago, 1 or 2 seconds after I turned 62.

So on April 21st I get to eat a cake with 75 candles on it.


NO! ----- wait ---- I ain't gonna waste money on a cake and candles! I need more paint and plastic goodies more than I need a fattening fire hazard !!!!


I'm happy to admit that my house is not a home ..... It's a hobby shop. But hey ....it's never too late to have a happy childhood.


The supplies in the bed was a cheap shot. I had all of that stuff on other trailers and in my stash of goodies that I could use someday. Well, someday finally showed up.


Rex

MAUS45

So should we say "Happy Paint and Plastic Goodies Day!!!" on the 21st? What you said is true..."It's never to late to have a Happy Childhood!!!". I hope to start doing that soon!!!!

Rex Ross

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For some strange reason I have always liked the Studebaker US6. This was my inspiration to build one.

When I was a kid after WWII, I ran across a busy street in Chicago (without looking both ways) and I got hit by a surplus US6 that was used by a construction company. I got a broken leg. The Studebaker was undamaged. A few weeks into my recovery at home, the former soldier who was driving that truck came to see me and took me for a ride in that Studebaker. I will never forget that absolutely thrilling experience. He also bought me an ice cream cone. That was good too.

I am planning to build six or seven more interchangeable bodies for the bed, now that cab is done. Just about anything you can think of got mounted on a US6 or CCKW chassis during WWII. Golly, when you think about it ....... I got to be a hood ornament for a few seconds!!!!

Rex Ross

This is what I did on my Easter vacation. This conversion took about an hour (so far ).




I also did a lot spring cleaning and reorganizing, which included building 40 feet of shelving that I needed for my "stuff". It's almost full already. I think that's a clue that I have collected too much "stuff".


I also found a website that brought back a flood of memories about the "good old days" (if you are an old coot). I remember this kit, but it cost a fortune at the time!!!!

Rex Ross

A few years ago I got a bug in my brain about trailers. I did 11 trailers that needed a 5th wheel tractor to pull them around. I finally got around to doing a Studebaker with a 5th wheel rig that would serve that purpose.

MAUS45

Rex, we're not worthy!!!

1sgt

Rex,
I noticed that the spare tires you have mounted behind the cab look to correct for US military vehicles. Do you plan on replacing the trucks kit tires with more of them?? Fantastic build and thanks for sharing.

Jim

karel47

you're a master

Rex Ross

Maus and Karel ..... thanks for the kind comments. I am really having fun with this series of conversions for the Studebaker.

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1sgt .....
Yes, I agree.... that commercial highway tread pattern just doesn't look right. Yuk. I prefer the 10 ply MS combat tread type. The biggest problems I run into as a scratch builder are correct tire size and tread patterns, and correct tank track tread patterns for tanks. Those two things are instantly noticeable when they aren't correct. Here's an informative website........

http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Tires/tires.html

I can cast resin tires that are painted for the shelf display of a static model, but a runner needs rubber for traction and better wear. I have a spray can of a rubber coating material that works well for doing that, and doing 10 tires is going to take some planning. I tried casting solid rubber tires once and don't care to do that again........ Ever!

1sgt

Rex,
If I'm not mistaken, Micro Mart offered a rubber that was advertised as being able to cast tires. Have you tried that ?

Jim

Rex Ross

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Hey ..... Your suggestion may have changed my life. Or at least the tires on my Studebaker.
I have used the latex and resin molding materials from Micro-Mark for many years. I have been very happy with those products and your idea is definitely going to be tried out soon. The rubber product I used to make a few tires many years ago was not a Micro-mark product. It was some other brand and was unsatisfactory, expensive , a mess and a hassle. Maybe that was my fault due to my inexperience and because I didn't know what I was doing at the time.

I still don't know what I'm doing, but now I have more experience at it.

The latex molding material I use is very close to perfect for a tire. It's similar to pencil eraser rubber, and if black pigment was added to make the blue latex black, I think it will work out well.

I really developed a mental block about making rubber tires because of that experience with a product that didn't work out for me. Why I didn't think of what you suggested before your posting proves that I suffered dain bramage ...... uhhh, I mean brain damage, at some time in the past.

I can't thank you enough for your idea.

1sgt

Rex,
Glad I was able to stir the pot on ingenuity. I can't wait to see how they turn out.

Jim

Rex Ross

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I ordered the latex today. I still have my tire molds, black pigment and mold release. I can't wait for the doorbell to ring and see what I can do this time.

Rex Ross

Another bed type used on the Studebaker was the dump truck bed that was hinged on the right side. I found a lot of photos of that, almost none of a rear hinged dump bed type. I went with the most abundant reference photos. Why would the side hinge arrangement be better than the rear hinge? That seems odd to me.



.

thecommander

When dumping materials to a roadside or off a narrow bridge/road the truck would not have to turn 90 degrees to the road. Modern backhoes now dump sideways to for the same reasons. You must have escaped the road construction traffic delays the rest of us have endured. Although I was paid to watch them for the most part. Side dumping reduced traffic jams. This option did not catch on until the late 80's.

Rex Ross

Commander ....
I honestly cannot remember ever seeing one of those side hinged dump trucks (with the bed elevated to unload) in real life. In photos and films, maybe. I seem to remember seeing films of a side dumper operating when building a dam or levee, but that's about it. I gotta get out of the house more often ............

strippersteel

Rex nice work!!!

Rex Ross

I saw this bomb service truck rig and just couldn't resist having this to put in the cargo bed of my US 6. Now all I need to do is build a 1/16 scale B-17 to go with it. The little bomb dolly never existed, I just used what was available in my spare parts box.
Now I gotta take it apart, paint it, and put it all back together so that the trolly can roll and the crane can lift and lower the bomb.

Rex Ross

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I got my new molding/casting stuff from Micro-Mark and cast a latex tire in an old latex mold that I have had for years. It was still good and I thought it was expendable if anything went wrong ........ like if my old mold release spray didn't work. I mixed some latex and added thinner so it would flow well into all of the tire tread nooks and crannies. I also carefully added black color pigment until it looked close to what I wanted. I'm sure I used way too much on those first disaster tires I did a dozen years ago. This tire is just an experiment. I will be making a new mold for the correct tire size/tread (without a rim). And I will be making a new cast resin rim to fit into the rubber tire. The details on this new tire turned out OK , but I think I need a bit more black pigment, it's too grey, needs to be darker. I'm very with how this new tire turned out compared to the horrible ones I made the first time........Yikes !!!!!

MAUS45

That looks pretty good to me Rex. Makes me want to do a correct set for my 1/16 Schwimmwagen. The kit came with the Kugel tires not the cool wide tires you see on the Schwimmwagen in most photos of the real thing.