Yank Models Water Tower, a Vintage Kit

I picked this up last year at an estate sale at the Mid America Train and Toy Show at the KCI Expo Center.  

I had never heard of Yank Model Research, and the estate had a couple of their models, this one and some propane tanks.  Upon further research, it seems those were probably the only kits they ever produced.

This one was missing the water spout, but I knew there were several models on the market I could substitute.  

As many of you know, I like the old kits, so when I saw the date on the plans, I just had to have it.  

I am old, and this kit is really old.  Since I model 1949, it ought to fit right in.

 The tank is spun aluminum, I guess that would cost a pretty penny to make today.  I sanded it with very fine sandpaper to give it some texture for the paint to grab, as it was so shiny and smooth.  

 The base came with the four piers glued in place, and the previous owner had already filed the curve the H columns to fit the tank.  And, by the way, had done an excellent job.

 I glued the posts to the base with Aleene's Tacky Glue, as it provides some flexibility.  Then I slid the tank in to place and used a rubber band to secure it.  My plan was to use the rubber band to hold things together while I spaced out the posts and adjusted them to be perpendicular and evenly spaced.  The rubber band did its job, but I swear, it was impossible to get all four post perpendicular and evenly spaced, all at the same time.  One or two were always off a little.  Eventually, I gave up, spaced them to what looked good, and dropped a dab of CA on the joint between the upright and the tank.  

For the truss rods, I use beading thread.

I could not find the .008" diameter in black at the local craft stores, so I ended up ordering it from Amazon.

The original kit came with a water spout, but it had been lost, so I used the Tichy spout.  An excellent, very fine scale model.

I tied the beading thread off on one of the back posts, and covered the knots with a vine.

I considered adding weld lines with Archer decals, but felt that kind of took the kit our of the vintage status, so I marked rusty lines, using some colored pencils, and some paint.

At last months Amherst show in Massachusetts, I picked up three more old rolling stock kits, so I have plenty more to do.  

My next installment will be back on 3D printing, as I have multiple projects I am working on.

Jordan Spreader Kitbash, + 3 Tank cars, Blue Boxes, etc.

I did not take virtually any in progress pictures of this project.  Just guessing, but I probably started this five years ago.   I believe I have all of  the Roundhouse 3-in-1 kitbash kits.  The other two  

I built the handrails with styrene, and the generator using the hood from an N scale locomotive. 

 I weathered the model with craft acrylics, then used weathering powders to blend it all together.

 A little goes a long way, and I always put down a paper towel to keep it from getting everywhere.

Link to the directions on one of the designers pages, http://kitbash.ourpage.com/3in1/1516a.pdf

 Ready for window glass.  

 A rear view, showing the brake detail.

 The frame is the same frame as the Roundhouse Old Time Tank Car.

 Lots of sheet and strip styrene in this kitbash.

Other 3-in-1 kits can be seen at these links.

http://nvrr49.blogspot.com/2010/08/i-am-dull-boy.html

http://nvrr49.blogspot.com/2009/10/kitbashes-and-craftsman-kits.html

I was going through my collection of tank car kits, and came across these three Athearn blue box kits, and figured they would be quick builds.  

Gas Station Details, 3d printed, Shapeways

Details are what make a great scene. That said, I hate painting details.  Too much time for too little progress.  I think that is why I have so many projects started, and have trouble finishing them.  I am writing this while taking a brake from painting details on a gas station I 3D printed.  Kind of the perfect segway to the details below.

One can never have too many details, and I love gas stations.  This assortment is meant to detail multiple stations.  The assortment includes some items I had previously used in my vintage tire shop diorama.  

Many of the items, however are new, and were the first time I had printed them.  The bulk oil container, all the oil can displays, the scissor jacks, and the gas cans (1, 2-1/2, and 5 gallon), and the Jerry cans are new.

The picture above is of the items as it is shown on the Shapeways web site.  Direct link to the item: shapeways.com/product/gas-station-details-ho-scale

Here is a close up of a few of the items.  The floor jacks, and jack stands are my favorites.  These item would also be nice details in the back of a wrecker or pickup.  

You should be able to click on the pictures to get an even bigger view.  If anyone needs a special assortment, I can adjust what is included in any assortments and make a custom one to fit specific needs.  I do it all the time.

All items were printed in FUD, Frosted Ultra Detail.  I believe they would be better in FXD, Frosted Extreme Detail, but for the money, I can't see paying the difference on these items.

I included a few concrete blocks, as I have seen way to many used as axle stands.  As a youngster, we

had a neighbor get trapped under his car, when it fell on him because the blocks failed.  Duh, that is why they make good jack/axle stands.  Luckily, the guy was fine, just wedged where he could not move, and had to wait on his wife to get home, and she called the fire department.

This is all the stuff still in the box, that I did not stage for picture taking.  So you can see I have parts to detail many gas stations!

Other 3D printed details done at Shapeways,

chain-saws-ho-scale-3d-printed

machine-shop-tools-3d-printed

lawn-mower-small-engine-repair-shop

Travel trailers, HO scale, 3d printed

Since I mostly model 1949, travel trailers appropriate to the era are pretty much non-existent in HO scale.  With that in mind, I searched the internet for examples of vintage trailers.  I came up with several, and I have modeled two so far.  

1949 Boles Travel Trailer

 Prototype picture

Exploded drawing, as uploaded to Shapeways.

As pictured on the Shapeways web site.

Link to the 1949 boles aero travel trailer for sale on the Shapeways site.

I have them printed in FUD (Frosted Ultra Detail), which is an Acrylic product.  As in most types of 3D printing, whenever there is an overhang of material, support material is generated to support the overhang.  With Shapeways, they decide how to orient the item to be printed, not that it makes a lot of difference in this case.

In this particular case, the printed the item on end.  I have primed the trailer so that the flaws are easier to see, and, therefore, fix,  You can clearly see the trails left by the support material under the window and the door in the upper left of this view.  I used some 400 grit sand paper to remove the roughness.

In most drawing programs the curved surfaces are actually a series of short straight lines, and this can be seen in this view of the back of the primed trailer.  Again, a touch of very fine sand paper, and this will not be seen,

Here is what all the parts looked like after painting, with a few extra wheels and tires thrown in.  I prefer the wheels and tires as separate pieces, as they are easier to paint when not one piece.  They take a little filing to remove paint from the mating surfaces, but that is simple.

A completed shot of the trailer with a CMW 1936 Ford in the picture for size comparison.  A relatively tall trailer.

Teardrop Trailer

This trailer is not based on any specific prototype, but is a composite of several different teardrop style campers from the era.

The drawing of the complete unit in SketchUp.

The exploded drawing, 

The pictures of the model on the Shapeway site has the wheels and tires hidden on the other side of the trailer.

Link top the 1935 teardrop camper on shapeways web site.

Here is what the FUD material looks like when it arrives from Shapeways.

I painted both models silver, to denote an aluminum skin, but in this case I added a wood trim.  I painted the wood trim with a paint pen,  I was going to use a Sharpie, but when I was at the art supply store, I ask for suggestions, and they thought the paint pen would be better..., and it was.

The opposite side.

A view showing the top detail.

Other examples of items I have designed and had printed at Shapeways.

chain-saws-ho-scale-3d-printed

Details for fsm-barnstead-lumber-ho-scale

lawn-mowersmall-engine-repair-shop

I have lots of Shapeways items I am working on, including a refuse truck, Studebaker US6, a 7-Up truck, structure wall details, roof detail, and gas station details.

I also have several items I printed on my home Afinia printer that I am working on.  I also have to prepare four or five classes for the Amherst show the end of next month; I think that is Sundays project.