So you’re looking at you model and you want to make it different from the rest. Sure you can paint it a different color, add some weathering and even place it on a diorama but sometimes that just isn’t enough. Not enough to satisfy your create side or set you apart from the rest of the crowd at the next show.
A simple conversion might be just the ticket! Such as these two vehicles as an example. The black and green International is a diecast model that was purchased as a flatbed. But with some styrene stock, planning and assembly it is now a dump truck. Something the company producing the truck doesn’t offer so it will be unique.
Another example is using a plastic model and essentially doing the exact same thing. With a little thought and effort one can create a whole new variation of an existing subject. Owners of such vehicles often tailored them to meet their hauling needs, so why not do the same with your model?
Somewhere around here I have a photograph I took of the GMC 1 1/2 ton stake bed that I drove while I was stationed in Korea. We definitely modified it to meet our hauling needs!
We added a huge fuel tank much like those seen on semi tractors to give us the range necessary to run from one end of the peninsula and back without stopping for fuel. Those always clanging metal side racks were removed, leaving just the headache rack to protect the cab. A long logging chain was looped around three sides of the bed to provide unlimited fastening locations for tie down straps and devices.
It also had a large enclosed metal storage cabinet on the opposite side from the fuel tank…to store tiedown gear, small parcels and envelopes. At one time there was also a wooden box strapped into the passenger seat for transporting little items…small packages and envelopes.
It hauled everything from mail bags, 463L pallets loaded with cargo, aerospace ground equipment, crates, packages and parcels…not to mention twelve loads of unstable Class A Explosives to Osan to be airlifted back to the USA. Something about hauling sweating air to ground rockets raises the pucker factor when driving on crowded Korea roadways. If you ever experienced driving in Korea, you’ll know what I am referring to!
These two examples were shared by Roger Witt at our monthly IPMS-Steve Wittman Chapter meeting last evening. As usual Roger does some fantastic work!
