all,
Had this project rolling about consuming the limited resources of my grey matter for 30+ years now , and have finally decided to at least make a start.

The Project:
Build one or more of each of the iconic vehicles from the 'golden era' of Transport Nelson Limited.
Basically the trucks that I can fondly remember as a kid.

Initially I had intended to use 24th/25th scale however time and space killed that idea and as quite a few are available as diecasts from Corgi, this is the route I've decided on. However these will not be just straight strip and repaint jobs. I intend to correct all the shortcomings of the originals and try to create true to the original vehicles as possible.

First victim please step forward:
Scammell Crusader 6x4, and heres the original:




and the starting base model:






quite a few modifications to mess around with, I'll be concentrating just on the tractor units to start with the trailers can wait.

Cheers for having a nosey, hope I don't bore anyone

Nothing boring on the horizon here Roger, great idea and I'm looking forward to watching it take shape.

Cheers, D

Cheers Damion.

Here's a few shots of the variety of vehicles that TNL have used over the years, basically they started with some Internationals (bit before my time -1930's ) then moved to an all British fleet, then American stuff started showing up plus some Euro bits - so here you go - TNL an eclectic assortment:

























and a couple of yard line-up's




And yes I can hear the American folks saying "never seen or heard of these trucks - think of it as - I'm broadening your knowledge base .

Later.

What a great selection of rigs !

I love the long-nose 1418 Benz, my dad was a long-haul truckie on the Melbourne-Perth-Sydney route many years ago and drove one of these.

I haven't seen a Foden in a very long time either.

Cheers, D

This is a really cool project. Looking forward to progress.

I remember seeing those 1418 Benz in Miami, FL, back in the 1970s & 1980s (I think).

Jim

Hi guy's,
the stubby Merc's are actually 2628's (the weapon of choice for the logging side of TNL), however they also ran 2624, 1924, 1418 and 1113's - different types were used for different applications.
Just hacking up some brass for chassis rails, hopefully some progress shots soon.

Jim - that surprises me that MB managed to get a foot in the door of the US market back then. Cheers for that info.

Well after suffering a mild health issue it could be quite some time before I'm able to do any real modelling, so in the meantime I thought I'd start collecting the required base conversion vehicles:



Since this photo was taken I have managed to get my grubby little hands on a Mack R-Series, Foden FG and an ERF E-Series. Only a few more required now, namely an Austin FE, Bedford TK and an Atkinson, but no rush just yet.
Cheers for popping in for a looksie.

Hello Roger, I have been following your posts. Very interesting trucks for a Canuk. Some trucks I am familiar with some cf the trucks and some not. I hope health things work out for you and you improve quickly.

Cheers Darrell,
It will take a bit more than a stroke to keep me away from my beloved bench .

Since I have a soft-spot for Mack R-Series I couldn't resist tampering with the base model I have
, firstly a few 1:1 Mack R-Series from the TNL fleet:







and the 'doggy' as received:






and after an introduction to the grinder and paint stripper:




still have to grind off the roof marker lights and vents and cab grab handles. Just deciding the best plan of attack to correct the Mack badge and grill area - too low down.
Just propped up on a set of 'loaner' wheels while I source some Mack 6-spokers.

Cheers to all for having a looksie and hope your projects are going well .

While I'm messing about with the Mack I thought I might as well make a start on the other truck of American origin.
Kenworth W-924 in TNL and Radiata Transports colours:










and the Corgi base model:




and after an introduction to the grinder and paint stripper:




at the moment I'm playing spot the Corgi 'cock-ups':




looks like the easiest option will be to fill the door recesses, fix the bonnet profile then cast and re-scribe the door panels.
Just waiting for some new welding rods to show up so I can fill the multiple holes.
Cheers for looking in.