"Modeler's ADD" - starting a new project while other projects are still under construction - is something I am often affected with, although in this case I could make the case for it being a continuation of a previous project...
0:15...the Conrail Mercury Mack R600 tractor, to complete the rig. Photo caption says trailer # 229130 is a 48'...
0:28...and elsewhere in the book is another trailer from the same number series 229001 - 229200. 48' x 102" Strick built in 1989. Book is "Piggyback Color Guide Volume 1: A to H" by James Kinkaid, published by Morning Sun Books. It and Volume 2 are a treasure trove of trailer model project ideas. Side panels and rub rails are close to the Moebius Models smooth side 53' van trailer kit, and I decided to shorten one of these to make # 229130.
0:46 First panel line at front of trailer is one cut line...
0:58...other is at first panel line (a short panel) in from back of trailer. Combined, these work out to about 4-1/2' removed which is "close enough" for model purposes.
1:14 Moebius Models designed a good system of locating pins, holes, and notches to provide positive location and reinforcement of joint at sides and floor/roof. Unfortunately these have to go!
1:31 Track cutting pliers and a bit of filing take care of the pins. There are eight of these per trailer side.
1:48 Chisel blade in hobby knife removes small rectangular projections along floor.
1:57 Carefully cut into raised area around hole for locating pin, preserving raised lip along edge of floor.
2:08 Cut remaining material away with track cutting pliers. These produce a nearly flush cut requiring minimal filing/sanding for clean up.
2:24 The reason for removing locating pins is so the kit's back door and frame piece can be used. Sides are moved back the width of short panel that was removed. Styrene 1/4" angle is glued along joint between wall and floor to restore strength and provide positive location for sides.
2:49 Extra bracing for the large open box is provided using removed panels trimmed to required length and glued onto molded-in reinforcing ribs on inside of trailer walls.
3:05 With floor being shortened at the front end, landing gear locating holes are in wrong location. Drill out 3/32" diameter...
3:18...plug with styrene rod...
3:26...sand styrene rod smooth, and use chisel blade to make vertical cut...
3:36...and horizontal cut to remove "half moon" section. If cuts are done carefully minimal filing/sanding is needed for clean up.
3:50 Roof needs the same locating tab removal as floor.
4:04 Careful cutting here preserves raised lip along edge of roof...
4:13...and track cutting pliers again take care of removing rest of material around locating pin hole.
4:28 Raised lip at edge of roof is intact, next item to clean up is raised ejector pin marks.
4:43 These need to be ground down flush or slightly below surface.
4:53 This is so styrene strip, .125" x .250" here, can be glued along edge of roof piece creating narrow slot for top of trailer side to fit into and restoring positive location and reinforcement of roof/wall joint.
5:07 Section at top of molded-in vertical reinforcing on trailer sides must be removed to clear the added styrene strip on roof. Chisel blade works well for this, followed by light sanding as required.
5:35 Back panel is only set in place for photo as it requires some extra detail work before being permanently installed, here you can see how well trailer kit parts fit together even without gluing. The extra work of reinforcing joint along wall/floor and wall/roof is time well invested.
5:50 Nose of trailer will require scratch building as it is considerably different from kit part: 45 degree angled corners rather than round, and recessed glad hands and document box. That's for the next installment!
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