Tuesday 9 June 2020

Dan Salamone's Torpedo Toting TX 40 Truck in 1/48 scale


Hot on the heels of his superlative Ki-15-II model Dan Salamone has kindly shared these images and build notes on his latest Hasegawa 1/48 TX 40 truck project. In his own words then:-

"Hi all, here is my recently completed Isuzu TX40 project in 1/48 scale. The base kit comes from Hasegawa, and is my fourth project using this kit. The vehicle itself is a narrow cab cargo truck, with a cargo bed that was both wider, and longer, than the standard TX40. I have two different images of this rare variant of the vehicle, one carrying a Type 91 torpedo at an airfield where Betty bombers were based, and another immediately post-war.


"I started the process by making drawings of the parts which needed to be changed: fenders, cab, canvas roof, running boards, and the entire cargo bed. In essence, the kit parts used were the chassis, wheels and tires, and the hood and interior (which was heavily modified). I used Evergreen plastic, as well as some brass strips and rod. The spare tire carrier under the rear chassis was created by using brass strips, and a photo etched bending tool. 


"The cargo bed is totally scratch built, and also features detail which even though cannot be seen, was needed to be able to align and attach the finished bed to the chassis. I also had to add to the length of the chassis as well. I used two layers of Evergreen plastic sheet, cut to size. Then I scribed the panel lines in, and then used a metal wore brush to ass wood grain effect to the plastic.


"The torpedo was robbed from a Hasegawa kit of the Kate, the oil barrels and tool box come from the basic TX40 kit. 


"I used a custom mix of Vallejo acrylics for the IJN dark blue paint, and for the wood cargo bed, used the Vallejo acrylic set for old and new wood effects. Weathering for the truck was from MiG 'Oilbrushers', AK Interactive weathering pencils, and Vallejo washes and paints. Final clear coat is Gunze flat lacquer from a spray can.


"The rope is a product called 'EZ Line' which my local hobby shop carries. It was an exceptional product to use, as it stretches, and accepts super glue very well. Prior to attaching the product, I gave it repeated washes of Vallejo acrylic paints to give it some color and subtle detail.


"This project was about five years in the making, from originally seeing the pictures, to  the drawings, then the actual building and painting to completion."


So many details and techniques to appreciate and enjoy in these images. With special thanks to Dan for sharing them here. Keep on trucking and please keep 'em coming Dan!

Image credit: All © 2020 Dan Salamone

 

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great job both on the modelling and on the research side. Thanks for sharing.

It is really unfortunate that there are so few kits of ground equipment: the 1/48 TX is extremely hard to find around here and the only stuff easily accessible are the Kurogane, the TX tank and the starter truck in 1/72. Documentation also is not that common, any suggestion on sources?

Ciao

Carlo

Michael Thurow said...

An awesome conversion. It's obvious that you like this truck. I hope there will be a starter truck in 1/48 some day. Thanks for letting us participate in your build.

Dan Salamone said...

Hi Carlo, thank you for the kind words. I have a number of books which happen to have images of ground vehicles (usually in the background), and I've also spent very many hours online with various search parameters, looking for images. I've gathered the images into groups, and go from there. I agree with you that it's a shame there are so few kits available. I find the Hasegawa TX40 and Kuroganes to be very nice models, as is the Tamiya bulldozer (which I modeled as a tug, without the blade). There are a few wheeled tractors which were built by Kato and used to tow IJN flying boats and seaplanes, as well as the most glaring omission in 1/48, the Toyota starter trucks! I have asked both Fine Molds, and Wingsy, to produce a starter truck kit to go along with their aircraft kits.

Dan

Danilo said...

A unique subject and a great job,Dan!!

Dan Salamone said...

Thanks, Michael and Danilo!

Dan

Michael Thurow said...

Hi Dan,
Since you mention it, could you share with us this bulldozer converted to a tug on this forum?
Many thanks, Michael

Dan Salamone said...

Hi Michael, next time that I have my display case opened, I'll take some good photos of the Komatsu. Don't have any available now, it's just the basic vehicle without the dozer blade attached. Have an image of one towing a Pete out of the water, and another on an airfield with larger aircraft (Tabby or Nell if I recall correctly).

Dan

Straggler 脱走兵 said...

Hi Dan

I have a single image of the Komatsu which you sent me some time ago with images of your Karigane, motor-cycle combo and Brengun (?) fire extinguisher trolley. If you are agreeable I could post these and you could 'narrate' them via the comments?

Regards
Nick

Dan Salamone said...

Hi Nick, sure, that sounds great. Thanks!

Dan

Mark Smith said...

Dan,
Another winner! This is a fine article with professional photography, which I'm sure you could have sold to more than one modeling magazine. Thanks for sharing it with us in this way, though. For one thing, it's easier to access, anyplace and anytime needed. There is so much valuable and interesting info on this blog, and now we have a unique subject added. A lot of what you did here can be applied to any kind of modeling.
Thanks a lot for this one, Nick.

Dan Salamone said...

Thanks so much for the kind words, Mark! It's very satisfying to be able to find am interesting topic, research it, and then attempt to bring it to life. Wish that I had more time to be able to do so! ;-)

Dan

Ken Glass said...

Another great build, Dan. Thanks for sharing Dan & Nick.

Dan Salamone said...

Thanks, Ken!

Dan

Unknown said...

I can only echo what's been said in the comments up above. Superb!

Warren

Dan Salamone said...

Thanks, Warren!

Dan

Ronnie Olsthoorn said...

Wow, that is very different! Having just transported a few dozen bricks in the back of my car, I can't help but wonder what tricks that heavy asymmetric load would've played on the truck's suspension.

Top job! Very unique and well-built.

Dan Salamone said...

Hi Ronnie, thanks! One of the photos that I based this off shows the vehicle with a torpedo mounted just like this one, after having off loaded one to a Betty. Amazingly, the truck was not leaning too badly (go figure). It's tough to see, but the model itself does have a slight lean to the left....

Dan