Kitbashing a Monon delivery trailer
wheels and an axle assembly to accom- modate them. A-Line makes the neces- sary cast spoke wheels, tires and axles to correctly model the trailer. Assemble the trailer suspension as per the Syl- van instructions but stop before adding the axle casting. Instead, drill the bot- tom center of each spring assembly and insert a wire hook to accommodate the A-Line axle. Fit the axles, wheels and tires together. Check the fit and make sure it all looks right. You may need to shorten the axle slightly to ac- commodate this older eight-foot wide body. Do not assemble the axles and tires prior to painting.
Painting and lettering The Monon’s Chicago area local pick- up and delivery trailer bodies were painted black with yellow lettering that was unique to that fleet. After the Floquil gray primer has dried thor- oughly (no paint smell), airbrush the entire body inside and out with Scale- coat II Locomotive Black paint. This paint handles well in an airbrush and leaves a glossy finish ideal for the ap- plication of decal lettering.
Thanks to the efforts of Don Halffield, the necessary decals exist to model these trailers. However, you need two sets in order to letter the en- tire trailer, and the lettering diagram included with the decals should be ig- nored in favor of the prototype photo. Apply the decal lettering in the usual manner and use a decal setting solu- tion to assure they fit over weld seams and other panel seams. I cobbled up the yellow reporting marks for trailer T-120 from my decal scrap box. Brush paint the entire roof and nose
wings with Scalecoat II silver paint as per the prototype photo. These trailer roofs were prone to leaking, so this was no doubt a silver-colored sealer used to fill in around the riveted roof sections. Airbrush the entire trailer body with Testors Dullcote to protect the decals. It is hard to tell what color the wheels
on these trailers were painted, but one thing is for certain: they were not kept clean by their owners. Airbrush or brush paint the spoked wheels with Polly Scale UP Dark Gray. Also, airbrush or brush paint the underbody, suspension and rear bumper with Floquil Grimy Black paint. Paint the dolly wheels with your favorite rust concoction.
Details
The only thing left is the trailer lights and reflectors. The photo does not show any marker lights present, so there is nothing to model. However, the body molding has four tail lights mold- ed in, so dab the lenses with red paint applied with a pen or small brush or
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use Chartpak color dots. Do the same with the three marker lights on the rear near the roof. While back there, in- stall the license plate of your choice. Now all that is left is to assemble the remainder of the kit following the Syl-
van Scale Models instructions. Cyano- acrylate is the best cement available for assembling resin kits. All you have to do now is call for a semi-tractor to pick up your trailer and start moving less-than-car load freight.
APRIL 2013
Fit the floor to the trailer body (top), and then build up the suspension and landing gear. When this is completed, airbrush the floor and details with Grimy Black. An A-Line axle, wheels and tires (above) replace the Sylvan kit parts and match the wheels on the Monon trailer. The axle is held in place with wire loops much like the U-bolts on the pro- totype. Put the trailer body on the underbody (below) and install the axle, wheels and tires. The outer sidewalls of the tires should be even with the outer edges of the body.
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