popeye the sailor

Mr Surfacer 1500 colour with Mr Leveling thinner. My first use of this as a primer so let’s see how it goes with masking. The bloke who owns SMS paints tells me that this is the best way to get a gloss coat is to use a black undercoat. Let’s see how we go. 

Very simple kits. I had to get the cockpits painted first, joined up all I can, now for a primer coat and look for mistakes. 

Very unusual and exciting models. As you are planning to build a diorama, it is going to be intense !!!
 
Yves

FineMolds makes some nice kits. Looking forward to following these builds.

This is a Great movie, beautiful aircraft I want to put on a water base. Porco is apt as my Facebook name is Chris.p.bacon 

Bit of weathering and I’m done 

sweet little boat Greg!  the early amphibians look really cool 

thank you gentlemen.......gee Jack,  perhaps you can give me a head's up on what to expect for the next 20 years  !
 
I have never seen such an extensive line of 'Coca Cola' models...from what I've seen,  AMT had the exclusive    As mentioned,  I did see a 53 foot kit at Hobby Lobby,  but I was hesitant in pulling the trigger.  it wasn't a long box,  which indicates that the top,  bottom,  and sides were in multiple pieces {filler,  here we come!}.  for this trailer,  I may go with the Coca Cola motif,  seeing the the truck has the same logo.  I do want to do something different for the second one........and hopefully another truck to go with it.   a mural sound like fun too   the decal sheet is large and the kit even supplies a sort of gauge to help in aligning the logo 

the one aspect that is missing here,  is the conspicuity markings along the sides of the trailer.   according to the FMCSA {Federal Motor Carrier safety administration},  any trailer manufactured after 1993,  has to have conspicuity tape markings this enables motorists to see trailers better at night.  

the reflective tape can span the entire length of the trailer,  but regulations state that the amount of reflective tape must be half of the total length.  so,  for a 53 foot trailer,  there must be 26 1/2 feet of tape on the sides,  as well as along the bumper and bottom of the door {s}.  in 1989,  the NHTSA {National Highway Traffic safety Administration} published a rule that all light and reflective devices {reflectors},  be made of a reflective material,  which means that tail lights and the use of reflectors was mandatory.  I started working at Wal Mart in 2004.........we were still dealing with reflectors back then....if some of our trailer had them,  they had to be on there.
      
we use the 6 x 6...6 inches of red and 6 inches of white reflective.  there are other types of reflective tape,  like the 7/11 tape........7 inches of white and 11 inches of red reflective {we use this one too,  but it depends what DC the trailer comes from}.  as far as colors go,  red and white is the main combo.........as for the round or oval reflectors {mainly made of plastic,  but can be found as a placard decal} yellow is used which follows the lighting rules along the sides of the trailer body.....yellow at the front,  red at the rear.  the white tape seen at the top of the buck plate door opening is a requirement mandated a few years later.  the truck doesn't have a lot of reflective tape requirements,  but there must be some on the mud flap brackets,  and some form {whether it be the lights or round reflective material} of reflectives on the back of the cab.  I was having a devil of a time trying to locate some, but Egilman was kind enough to direct me in the right direction.....thank you    although it is not reflective,  it fits the bill perfectly!


whenever I replace any at the shop........I try to miss the rivets.....I hate that.  I came up with a way around this,  but recently,  the higher ups changed the policy that all side wall patches be buck riveted,  so that put a stop to my idea.  inside the box there is printed detail.......there is rivet detail on both sides.  to put my interior mod in the first steps to reality,  the floor must be painted.  it has wood grain detail....more modern high end trailers have metal floors........either of light steel or aluminum.

the little tabs you see along the sides pose some of the problems in fitting the sides.........some are a tad off,  while others are too big.  at this point,  I had finished with one side.

this wood strip will serve as the scuff liner,  wall bumper.  scuff liner are always a constant repair item...........some folks just don't know how to drive a fork lift.  you ought to see what it look like when the forks go completely through the side wall!  I've operated fork lifts and single power jacks.  I've also started to assemble the wheels..........really wish there was more detail here,  but it is what it is  

the bike rims look really good......gonna add to the detail for sure  

she coming along really good Chris.........you've got such a knack for these models!  

thank you gentlemen.......gee Jack,  perhaps you can give me a head's up on what to expect for the next 20 years  !
 
I have never seen such an extensive line of 'Coca Cola' models...from what I've seen,  AMT had the exclusive    As mentioned,  I did see a 53 foot kit at Hobby Lobby,  but I was hesitant in pulling the trigger.  it wasn't a long box,  which indicates that the top,  bottom,  and sides were in multiple pieces {filler,  here we come!}.  for this trailer,  I may go with the Coca Cola motif,  seeing the the truck has the same logo.  I do want to do something different for the second one........and hopefully another truck to go with it.   a mural sound like fun too   the decal sheet is large and the kit even supplies a sort of gauge to help in aligning the logo 

the one aspect that is missing here,  is the conspicuity markings along the sides of the trailer.   according to the FMCSA {Federal Motor Carrier safety administration},  any trailer manufactured after 1993,  has to have conspicuity tape markings this enables motorists to see trailers better at night.  

the reflective tape can span the entire length of the trailer,  but regulations state that the amount of reflective tape must be half of the total length.  so,  for a 53 foot trailer,  there must be 26 1/2 feet of tape on the sides,  as well as along the bumper and bottom of the door {s}.  in 1989,  the NHTSA {National Highway Traffic safety Administration} published a rule that all light and reflective devices {reflectors},  be made of a reflective material,  which means that tail lights and the use of reflectors was mandatory.  I started working at Wal Mart in 2004.........we were still dealing with reflectors back then....if some of our trailer had them,  they had to be on there.
      
we use the 6 x 6...6 inches of red and 6 inches of white reflective.  there are other types of reflective tape,  like the 7/11 tape........7 inches of white and 11 inches of red reflective {we use this one too,  but it depends what DC the trailer comes from}.  as far as colors go,  red and white is the main combo.........as for the round or oval reflectors {mainly made of plastic,  but can be found as a placard decal} yellow is used which follows the lighting rules along the sides of the trailer body.....yellow at the front,  red at the rear.  the white tape seen at the top of the buck plate door opening is a requirement mandated a few years later.  the truck doesn't have a lot of reflective tape requirements,  but there must be some on the mud flap brackets,  and some form {whether it be the lights or round reflective material} of reflectives on the back of the cab.  I was having a devil of a time trying to locate some, but Egilman was kind enough to direct me in the right direction.....thank you    although it is not reflective,  it fits the bill perfectly!


whenever I replace any at the shop........I try to miss the rivets.....I hate that.  I came up with a way around this,  but recently,  the higher ups changed the policy that all side wall patches be buck riveted,  so that put a stop to my idea.  inside the box there is printed detail.......there is rivet detail on both sides.  to put my interior mod in the first steps to reality,  the floor must be painted.  it has wood grain detail....more modern high end trailers have metal floors........either of light steel or aluminum.

the little tabs you see along the sides pose some of the problems in fitting the sides.........some are a tad off,  while others are too big.  at this point,  I had finished with one side.

this wood strip will serve as the scuff liner,  wall bumper.  scuff liner are always a constant repair item...........some folks just don't know how to drive a fork lift.  you ought to see what it look like when the forks go completely through the side wall!  I've operated fork lifts and single power jacks.  I've also started to assemble the wheels..........really wish there was more detail here,  but it is what it is  

the bike rims look really good......gonna add to the detail for sure  

she coming along really good Chris.........you've got such a knack for these models!  

sweet little boat Greg!  the early amphibians look really cool 

sweet little boat Greg!  the early amphibians look really cool 

she coming along really good Chris.........you've got such a knack for these models!  

she coming along really good Chris.........you've got such a knack for these models!  

thank you gentlemen.......gee Jack,  perhaps you can give me a head's up on what to expect for the next 20 years  !
 
I have never seen such an extensive line of 'Coca Cola' models...from what I've seen,  AMT had the exclusive    As mentioned,  I did see a 53 foot kit at Hobby Lobby,  but I was hesitant in pulling the trigger.  it wasn't a long box,  which indicates that the top,  bottom,  and sides were in multiple pieces {filler,  here we come!}.  for this trailer,  I may go with the Coca Cola motif,  seeing the the truck has the same logo.  I do want to do something different for the second one........and hopefully another truck to go with it.   a mural sound like fun too   the decal sheet is large and the kit even supplies a sort of gauge to help in aligning the logo 

the one aspect that is missing here,  is the conspicuity markings along the sides of the trailer.   according to the FMCSA {Federal Motor Carrier safety administration},  any trailer manufactured after 1993,  has to have conspicuity tape markings this enables motorists to see trailers better at night.  

the reflective tape can span the entire length of the trailer,  but regulations state that the amount of reflective tape must be half of the total length.  so,  for a 53 foot trailer,  there must be 26 1/2 feet of tape on the sides,  as well as along the bumper and bottom of the door {s}.  in 1989,  the NHTSA {National Highway Traffic safety Administration} published a rule that all light and reflective devices {reflectors},  be made of a reflective material,  which means that tail lights and the use of reflectors was mandatory.  I started working at Wal Mart in 2004.........we were still dealing with reflectors back then....if some of our trailer had them,  they had to be on there.
      
we use the 6 x 6...6 inches of red and 6 inches of white reflective.  there are other types of reflective tape,  like the 7/11 tape........7 inches of white and 11 inches of red reflective {we use this one too,  but it depends what DC the trailer comes from}.  as far as colors go,  red and white is the main combo.........as for the round or oval reflectors {mainly made of plastic,  but can be found as a placard decal} yellow is used which follows the lighting rules along the sides of the trailer body.....yellow at the front,  red at the rear.  the white tape seen at the top of the buck plate door opening is a requirement mandated a few years later.  the truck doesn't have a lot of reflective tape requirements,  but there must be some on the mud flap brackets,  and some form {whether it be the lights or round reflective material} of reflectives on the back of the cab.  I was having a devil of a time trying to locate some, but Egilman was kind enough to direct me in the right direction.....thank you    although it is not reflective,  it fits the bill perfectly!


whenever I replace any at the shop........I try to miss the rivets.....I hate that.  I came up with a way around this,  but recently,  the higher ups changed the policy that all side wall patches be buck riveted,  so that put a stop to my idea.  inside the box there is printed detail.......there is rivet detail on both sides.  to put my interior mod in the first steps to reality,  the floor must be painted.  it has wood grain detail....more modern high end trailers have metal floors........either of light steel or aluminum.

the little tabs you see along the sides pose some of the problems in fitting the sides.........some are a tad off,  while others are too big.  at this point,  I had finished with one side.

this wood strip will serve as the scuff liner,  wall bumper.  scuff liner are always a constant repair item...........some folks just don't know how to drive a fork lift.  you ought to see what it look like when the forks go completely through the side wall!  I've operated fork lifts and single power jacks.  I've also started to assemble the wheels..........really wish there was more detail here,  but it is what it is  

thanks for the welcome Egilman    I will try and make something of the contents......what I see in trailers that the kit leaves out.  I should have done an overview of the contents......I could point out some of the shortcomings.
     I'll just have to point everything out as I go along.  I noticed that the title has been changed....did I do something wrong.........I tried to follow what others have done in their titles?!  Wal Mart never had any 40 foot trailers...what Fruehauf trailer we have {had} were mostly 53 footers.  Trailermobile,  Wabash,  Pines, Hyundai,  and Great Dane are names that we use,  although the first three are being pushed out due to age.  we are begining to receive newer Wabash trailers.........I pointed out a lighting issue,  but the GM doesn't see it as a big deal.  since all the lights on the trailer must be lit while on the road,  the issue is moot.  the timeline that I've found for Freuhauf puts the 40 footer somewhere around the early 50's {they might have produced a shorter version before this}.  I didn't see anything about a 48 footer,  but by the late 60's / early 70's,  the 53 footer rolled out,  and has been the staple since then.  the picture I showed of the Sante Fe trailer is a 1972....so I dated the model around this time.  of course,  the trailer is showing some age....it might even be dated 1962.  the Freuhauf trailer used the Pro par suspension system,  which might account for the airbag at the front of the leaf spring.  most other types of suspension has them in the rear.  none of the trailers I've seen has backing plates.  although trailers with 'wedge' type brakes might have had them.  I've never seen this type of brake system...I've been meaning to look them up.  the brake system shown here is the s-cam system.

the front ends of the shoes rest on anchor pins,  fastened by springs.   the rear spring can be seen in the rear ends of the shoes......at this end,  there are rollers that sit on the s-cam pawl,  which gives the system it's name,  since the pawl is shaped like the letter S.  what I see here are the shoe pad thickness and the condition of it.  DOT is 8/32nds..........these are clearly at or below 10/32nds.  there is also separation between the pad and the shoe backings,  which suggests rust jacking.  rust is forming in between and left unchecked,  will crack the pad and cause it to be edjected,  leaving the condition to be metal to metal.........not good!    it has manual slack adjusters that are so old,  that the protective sleeve that surrounds the adjustment nut is stuck in the slack {the pop out ring can be seen around the adjustment nut}.  we're talking a brake job and new slack adjusters.  there is an early type........another type seen on Pro Par systems are called Crusen Bruner {I may have spelt the name wrong here},  which are self adjusting (but only to a point}.  they were suseptible to becoming as rusted and jammed up like this type seen here,  and a real bugger to remove due to the double clevis pins that connect them to the brake chamber yoke.  the brake chamber is another interesting aspect....note that only one hose is connected to it.  this is a single stage chamber,  capable of releasing the brakes only.  braking for the trailer is controled by a valve on the reserve air tank.  another type of valve that might be seen on this trailer is called a full function valve.  I hated these valves....they were more trouble than they were worth!  on a few of the trailers I worked on,  I did away with it and changed it over to the two valve system   I forget the name of this type of brake chamber,  I've always just seen them on trucks.  modern trailers use a two chambered chamber.........

the front part of the chamber {bolted to the axle} is the service {brake} side.........the back section is called the emergency {release} side.  each side is governed by it's own valve....emergency {relay} and the brake valve.  the brake valve has evolved to contain ABS abilities and the electronics to send pulses to the truck as it functions.  there is a warning light,  in the event that there is a malfunction.  we even have trailers with disc brakes.....one can really see in there now!!!  the wheel seal is fully in view,  as well as the brake pads to check for wear.  I like the system only because there is nothing to grease........but I hate it because it's a bugger to get the tires off.  

in this picture,  you can see that there is plenty of meat on the brake shoes.  the protective rings around the slack adjuster nuts is popped out,  doing what it's supposed to be doing   while it is still a rust bucket,  note that there are multi leafed springs under here.  the type used depends on the amout of weight the trailer can carry....whatever it's rated for.  there are trailer on the road today with single leaf....and some of them are not made of metal.  Buick passenger cars in the 80's had such a spring set up in the rear,  made of a plastic that is extremely stiff and can support a lot of weight.  the Pro Par system used two types of brake drums........inboard and outboard.  inboard drums are bolted to the hub from the back.......outboard drums are slipped on from the outside of the hub.   careful not to mix them up........one guy in the shop did it,  and after zapp'in up the wheels,  found that he couldn't turn the wheels!  he found,  after removing the tires again,  that he had cracked all four drums,  due to the clamping pressure of tightening the lug nuts!    walk of shame anyone?  they didn't fire him, but they definitely weren't happy.
 
yes......you are right on the split rims........if they were found bad in an inspection,  they were replaced.  but as a rule,  you can get a longer life out of them.......close monitoring is key.  when I worked at Granite State tire,  I did a couple for a company called Knoxland farms.  they always did business with us,  but it was agreed that we wouldn't do split rims.  well........a pair slipped through the cracks,  and none of the borthers would touch them.  my older brother worked with me,  and he took it upon himself to put me in the middle of it...........oh......Den's done them before......he can do them!  yea......so I was chosen for the task.  it's not bad really......tire casing goes on the bottom part of the rim.........slip in the tube, making sure nothing is pinching it and the stem is sticking out correctly,  and then put the outer ring on.  I took an air guage and put on an extended air supply hose to the tire and inflated it to 20 - 30 PSI.  lightly tap around the ring to insure that it is seated properly {don't stand over it}.  I then pushed the assembly under the alignment rack,  and finished inflating the tire.
 
the story of what happened to my dad was his own foolishness.  he couldn't wait for me to come home {I was at work}  he didn't follow what I just outlined and likely inflated the tire to full pressure.  putting it on the dump truck,  it got jammed,  so he hit it with a sledge hammer.  the force knocked him a few feet {distance varies} from the truck....the tire was laying on him when mother found him.  the account was that she took the tire and sent it rolling down the private driveway {I had to go get the darn thing}.  I got the call at work {I forget who called}.......but I told them I would see him after work.  "at least I know where he is".  when I saw him........I chewed him out,  mainly because he deserved it.  he got mad,  but I reinterated that he would have done the same to me.  what's good for the goose....as the say'in goes    he had fractured ribs,  a broken collar bone, a fractured jaw,  and a compound fracture of the lower leg {tibia?}  the bone was sticking out of his boot for cry'in out loud!  it got fun after that........we'd be working on something in the carport,  and dad would come down stairs with his crutches and all..............soon after,  mom would show up with the cast iron skillet and shag him back upstairs.  she didn't take any guff from him   
 
it's kinda condensed,  but it gives some insight on the suspension and braking.  there is more,  but a lot of it pertains to modern trailers.  we have some trailer that not only keep the tires inflated,  but will adjust the air pressures to maintain 100 PSI.  like I told the GM........we have been adjusting air pressures since the dawn of time.  what are ya gonna do whe someone comes in and says all eight tires are flat!  well folks,  we are about to find out.....such nonsense has BEEN going on!  last week,  we had to disable over 80 trailers outfitted with this faulty air inflation system!  Holland,  the company that developed this abomination,  is trying to diagnose a fix for them.   I say send 'em all back.....  but I am just a thrawl and carry no weight in making sensible suggestions.  we get this system.......given no instruction on how to maintain it.........can't even touch it due to warrenty reasons,  and NOW they want us to deal with it!?!?!?  oh.....we did get an audio file to listen to,  which basically said that we don't need to do anything with it....we don't even need to check the air pressures anymore!  oh happy days!
      I can't wait to hear what we need to do next..........too late to put everything we took off back on..........Holland told us to toss everything out  once they find the fix,  they are going to send us kits to get them up and running again.  my word........look at the time........time to hit the hammock.  see.........go off the radar for a spell,  an' when I git back,  I'm like a blink'in chatty Kathy!  haven't even gotten into what I've done with the model yet.......   well,  that means that I'll have to make it a point to get my duff on here tomorrow and get some progress going!  a lot of it has been experimental.......but it is in getting the parts to fit good.  I'll explain more when I post the next session.   perhaps I'll have something juicy to tell yas about work 

the bike rims look really good......gonna add to the detail for sure  

she coming along really good Chris.........you've got such a knack for these models!  

sweet little boat Greg!  the early amphibians look really cool 

thank you gentlemen.......gee Jack,  perhaps you can give me a head's up on what to expect for the next 20 years  !
 
I have never seen such an extensive line of 'Coca Cola' models...from what I've seen,  AMT had the exclusive    As mentioned,  I did see a 53 foot kit at Hobby Lobby,  but I was hesitant in pulling the trigger.  it wasn't a long box,  which indicates that the top,  bottom,  and sides were in multiple pieces {filler,  here we come!}.  for this trailer,  I may go with the Coca Cola motif,  seeing the the truck has the same logo.  I do want to do something different for the second one........and hopefully another truck to go with it.   a mural sound like fun too   the decal sheet is large and the kit even supplies a sort of gauge to help in aligning the logo 

the one aspect that is missing here,  is the conspicuity markings along the sides of the trailer.   according to the FMCSA {Federal Motor Carrier safety administration},  any trailer manufactured after 1993,  has to have conspicuity tape markings this enables motorists to see trailers better at night.  

the reflective tape can span the entire length of the trailer,  but regulations state that the amount of reflective tape must be half of the total length.  so,  for a 53 foot trailer,  there must be 26 1/2 feet of tape on the sides,  as well as along the bumper and bottom of the door {s}.  in 1989,  the NHTSA {National Highway Traffic safety Administration} published a rule that all light and reflective devices {reflectors},  be made of a reflective material,  which means that tail lights and the use of reflectors was mandatory.  I started working at Wal Mart in 2004.........we were still dealing with reflectors back then....if some of our trailer had them,  they had to be on there.
      
we use the 6 x 6...6 inches of red and 6 inches of white reflective.  there are other types of reflective tape,  like the 7/11 tape........7 inches of white and 11 inches of red reflective {we use this one too,  but it depends what DC the trailer comes from}.  as far as colors go,  red and white is the main combo.........as for the round or oval reflectors {mainly made of plastic,  but can be found as a placard decal} yellow is used which follows the lighting rules along the sides of the trailer body.....yellow at the front,  red at the rear.  the white tape seen at the top of the buck plate door opening is a requirement mandated a few years later.  the truck doesn't have a lot of reflective tape requirements,  but there must be some on the mud flap brackets,  and some form {whether it be the lights or round reflective material} of reflectives on the back of the cab.  I was having a devil of a time trying to locate some, but Egilman was kind enough to direct me in the right direction.....thank you    although it is not reflective,  it fits the bill perfectly!


whenever I replace any at the shop........I try to miss the rivets.....I hate that.  I came up with a way around this,  but recently,  the higher ups changed the policy that all side wall patches be buck riveted,  so that put a stop to my idea.  inside the box there is printed detail.......there is rivet detail on both sides.  to put my interior mod in the first steps to reality,  the floor must be painted.  it has wood grain detail....more modern high end trailers have metal floors........either of light steel or aluminum.

the little tabs you see along the sides pose some of the problems in fitting the sides.........some are a tad off,  while others are too big.  at this point,  I had finished with one side.

this wood strip will serve as the scuff liner,  wall bumper.  scuff liner are always a constant repair item...........some folks just don't know how to drive a fork lift.  you ought to see what it look like when the forks go completely through the side wall!  I've operated fork lifts and single power jacks.  I've also started to assemble the wheels..........really wish there was more detail here,  but it is what it is  

the bike rims look really good......gonna add to the detail for sure  

she coming along really good Chris.........you've got such a knack for these models!