I was rummaging through the kits on my TBD ("to be done") shelf, looking for something to do and settled on a 1:20 scale Hubley Model T Ford delivery van I had picked up from my friend Clem O'Jevich of Warrior Run Loco Works. I had already done two others – a Model T runabout and a Model T touring car – as a flatcar load a few years ago.
I had built them to look as if they were brand new – very clean with not much weathering. Since then, however, I had removed the first two models from the flatcar and set them aside with the idea I'd weather them up a bit and use them somewhere else on my (future) layout. So the project became getting these three "tin lizzies" ready for my circa-1912 Fn3 narrow gauge layout.
These kits are out of production now and getting hard to find. They are some of the few models that are both fairly accurate and very close to proper "F Scale" size. The chassis and bodies are diecast metal castings (which require considerable work with a file to remove flash) and the detail parts are plastic – some brass-colored chrome plated. The tires are real rubber.
I also came across a couple of well-sculpted figures that I intended to paint up "sometime" but, as yet, had no real need for. I decided to include them in this project as props for these photos. Besides, my railroad needed a president.
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The first figure here is by master sculptor Richard Kapuaala, proprietor of Po'e 'o Honua and frequent contributor to these pages. It is a portrait of Benjamin Franklin Dillingham, founder of the Oahu Railway and Land Company, or OR&L, in Hawaii. I have dubbed him "Mr. B.F. Diehl" and designated him president of my railroad, the Dulles & Reston Garden Weeds RR (the D&RGW – you may have heard of it.)
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The other fellow is a likable lad named "Jethro" from Supply Line Figures. He just stands around and looks happy.
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And now, here are some pix of my "flivvers," as they were also called:
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The Hubley version of a 1912 Ford Model T Touring Car.
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This is the 1912 Model T "Runabout," built on the same chassis as the Hubley touring car model, which BTW was also the practice of the actual Ford car company for their real Model T's.
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As some of you may remember, I'm a big fan of Laurel and Hardy and one of their best "two reelers" was called The Music Box, released in 1932. In it, the boys had started a "transfer company" which they hoped would grow. Here are some screen captures from the flick:[/i]
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This served as the inspiration for my Model T Delivery Van, back dated a bit to fit my time frame. It's also built on the same chassis as the others.
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I hope you enjoyed looking at 'em as much as I did building 'em. As usual, your comments and questions are welcome.
Photos reduced to 800 pixels wide by Peter Bunce - moderator
I had built them to look as if they were brand new – very clean with not much weathering. Since then, however, I had removed the first two models from the flatcar and set them aside with the idea I'd weather them up a bit and use them somewhere else on my (future) layout. So the project became getting these three "tin lizzies" ready for my circa-1912 Fn3 narrow gauge layout.
These kits are out of production now and getting hard to find. They are some of the few models that are both fairly accurate and very close to proper "F Scale" size. The chassis and bodies are diecast metal castings (which require considerable work with a file to remove flash) and the detail parts are plastic – some brass-colored chrome plated. The tires are real rubber.
I also came across a couple of well-sculpted figures that I intended to paint up "sometime" but, as yet, had no real need for. I decided to include them in this project as props for these photos. Besides, my railroad needed a president.
The first figure here is by master sculptor Richard Kapuaala, proprietor of Po'e 'o Honua and frequent contributor to these pages. It is a portrait of Benjamin Franklin Dillingham, founder of the Oahu Railway and Land Company, or OR&L, in Hawaii. I have dubbed him "Mr. B.F. Diehl" and designated him president of my railroad, the Dulles & Reston Garden Weeds RR (the D&RGW – you may have heard of it.)
The other fellow is a likable lad named "Jethro" from Supply Line Figures. He just stands around and looks happy.
And now, here are some pix of my "flivvers," as they were also called:
The Hubley version of a 1912 Ford Model T Touring Car.
This is the 1912 Model T "Runabout," built on the same chassis as the Hubley touring car model, which BTW was also the practice of the actual Ford car company for their real Model T's.
As some of you may remember, I'm a big fan of Laurel and Hardy and one of their best "two reelers" was called The Music Box, released in 1932. In it, the boys had started a "transfer company" which they hoped would grow. Here are some screen captures from the flick:[/i]
This served as the inspiration for my Model T Delivery Van, back dated a bit to fit my time frame. It's also built on the same chassis as the others.
I hope you enjoyed looking at 'em as much as I did building 'em. As usual, your comments and questions are welcome.
Photos reduced to 800 pixels wide by Peter Bunce - moderator
