Well it’s been a while since I did any road vehicles for LSD. As I’ve said previously there’s not a lot of good quality 1:43 scale commercial vehicles available, but I’ve been collecting a few old damaged, broken TRIANG “Spot On“ models which are stated to be 1:42 scale. Even in totally destroyed condition these things fetch stupid money, but I’ve managed to put together 5 old pre loved models that have had to be completely stripped, repaired and parts sourced. Morris WADHAM Ambulance. ERF 68G Flat Float with sides Austin Prime Mover AEC Mammoth Major 8 wheeler flat bed Ford Thames Trader with flat bed (plus a new Thames model from Norev Spot On) plus I have a TONIBELL ICECREAM van which is in good condition. painting nearly finished now, and assembly of the new parts is progressing slowly, I’ll post up pictures as they enter service on LSD. Kim
Tonibell! Brings back memories of the ice cream van at RAF Akrotiri in 1993! Not sure if the bloke was called Tony, but it was definay Tonibell as we all used to shout it when we heard him coming round the base!
Back in the earlier half of the 1960s, as a child we lived in a suburb of Crawley, and the Tonibell vans and chimes still ring bells with me (sorry - no pun intended!). We had a Close opposite our house and he would go up that and turn around and stop on the opposite side. That gave us time to alert our parents and get some money and race over to buy our ice creams. Tonibell was the regular one, but on a more irregular basis we would see, and hear, the Walls van come down our street as well.
Some more progress on the “new” fleet of commercials. There’s a bit more detailing to do and some lining paint work to sort out then they should be ready for decals, so here’s how they look this morning. and whilst I’ve been restoring these TRIANG Spot On models I’ve also done a few Matchbox Kingsize and Dinky models plus the next victim gets the once over, a very badly painted and “detailed” model from Meccano Ltd, a Dinky Supertoys 964, Barber Greene Olding Elevator Loader.......and yes that is a piece of hose pipe jammed into the shoot with bits of old wood
Clearing out a few boxes this last week due to dismantling LSD, I found a few forgotten projects. One of them is the small but very cute MORRIS J VAN. https://allcarcentral.com/Morris_pdf/Morris_J_Type_Van_Article_Rick_Feibusch_2010.pdf Looking at the above reference page had me thinking what I might be able to do with a BRS Parcels Morris J Van that I had dismantled to see if I could add radio control to it back in 2016, it would be possible, but in the end I went with the Ford Thames and the Morris drop side. so what about converting this one to something else, two photos in the above link which I liked. 1. The drop side version and 2. The flat bed. So the first job will be to do a “little” surgery. The cut line is marked out with tape. Out with the Dremel and a cutting disc. I basically eye ball the cut just off the marked inner edge . Stretched Van version, anyone ? I then use a file and sand paper to finish off the ends making them perfectly square. You’ll also note that the plastic screen was left in and cut at the same time. Trial fit back on the chassis. So flat bed or drop side? Which do you all think will look the best?
Dustbin lorry! Or one you never seen modelled… the coal man with that lift mech at the back for the coal sacks. (not sure if these vans were one of those.. before my time. I only recall a Bedford as one lived top of my Grandmas street so would see it parked up each visit.
It’s amazing what you can find on the Net when researching projects….. https://morris-commercial.com/ now do I pre order a red one or a blue one
Flat bed or drop side will need some basic framing on the chassis floor, so I’ve used some plastic “H” strips and some plastic angle to form the supports. I’ve scribed a rear cab panel to keep the crew nice and warm . As I had chopped off all the underside detailing including the raised areas that supported the axles (when I was converting it to RC control) I’ve had to form up a very basic underside detailing which will support the axles and give a little bit of detailing when viewed from the side….looks very basic but once painted Matt black it will not really be seen. Flat bed has been built just to see how it might look as a flatbed version, plus this helps me out with dimensions for a drop side version. Rear detailing added, lights and number plate mounting
As requested I still like the flat bed version both versions now read for priming (Tamiya fine primer order delayed) I think I might either use magnets to hold either version to the chassis to give me the option of posing both versions ….on a layout I now don’t possess Or keep an eye out for another cheap van to convert. ‘I’ll post up finished pictures when the paint arrives….now it’s time to get back to the SCAMMELL and Foden builds.
Thanks Andy. Ex Pat, Made in Brum, lived in Streetly, Sutton Coldfield , West Midlands then a “short” sea change relocation to Halls Head, WA.
Ah.. can’t say I’ve been that way, although brother in law lives Bilston near Wolves. But we don’t see them any more (family fall out)
Funny enough the sister in law used to work at Asda next door to Molineux. Well, she did.. no idea what she does now as not in touch.