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Miniatures Adventure => Back of Beyond => Topic started by: joekano on August 09, 2020, 10:28:56 PM

Title: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China Update 30Aug20
Post by: joekano on August 09, 2020, 10:28:56 PM
Hi All,

 I've started converting over some diecast trucks and vans based on vehicles seen in Shanghai at that time.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4khtexi_J3U/XzBRd2MtyWI/AAAAAAAAGro/6D8qRmOZgHMtBlJpbMfs7V76jfhyI-TAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Custom%2B1.JPG)

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WANeBZwUxbQ/XzBRfaJETxI/AAAAAAAAGrs/qBiZ8LZ1y2cbPtPVNr0iz1VnLu2F_fxQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Custom%2B2.JPG)

Additional images showing the sizes and free copies of the decals I designed can be found on the blog:
https://majorthomasfoolery.blogspot.com/2020/08/customized-diecast-vehicles-for-28mm.html (https://majorthomasfoolery.blogspot.com/2020/08/customized-diecast-vehicles-for-28mm.html)

Thanks!
Chris
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Valerik on August 10, 2020, 03:46:45 AM
Splendid work this, well done Sir.
The Chinese markings are especially so.

You have doubtless discovered the biggest problem with Lledo vehicles: the wheels & tyres are quite small almost across the board.  This gives them a squat, low slung stance that is unprototypic.  The problem is exacerbated when your figures are based, especially the thick ones like slotta. 
I judge all my vehicle purchases with a handy figure, using the Mk. I* Eyeball scale:  "If it looks right it is right", ditto 'planes n'boats. 1/48-1/52 seems the sweet spot. Somewhere there's a chart I made up for Lledo giving wheelbase dimensions vs actual vehicular measurements, to help sort things out.  Still have the wheel/tyre problem though, no matter how faithful the chassis.  I often wish there were a ready source of scale spoked, dished and wire wheels available for a reasonable price. 
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/611K14YllKL._AC_.jpg)
(https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/369074.jpg)

Incidentally 'Lledo' was Matchbox designer & Lledo founder Jack Odell's radio 'handle' in the Western Desert, a reversal of his own surname, a mnemonic device so as not to forget his wireless call sign!!


Valerik

Somebody tried to tel me a Covid joke the other day, I didn't get it...
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: trev on August 10, 2020, 07:47:31 AM
Excellent work.  I love the buildings too.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: juergen c. olk on August 10, 2020, 10:20:34 AM
Great job Joe..I love converting Die Casts..
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: FreakyFenton on August 10, 2020, 11:08:09 AM
Top job!
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: marianas_gamer on August 10, 2020, 11:37:59 AM
Great job! I will be by the blog anon to steal learn from you.
Lon
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: joekano on August 10, 2020, 06:53:50 PM
Thanks Everyone!  Yes ,the Lledo vehicles aren't the perfect option, but they are fairly cheap and will get the job done.  I've ordered a few more, so will follow up once they arrive and get updated.

Chris
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Orctrader on August 10, 2020, 07:27:04 PM
Brilliant in every way.   :)
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: FramFramson on August 11, 2020, 11:09:53 AM
Splendid work this, well done Sir.
The Chinese markings are especially so.

You have doubtless discovered the biggest problem with Lledo vehicles: the wheels & tyres are quite small almost across the board.  This gives them a squat, low slung stance that is unprototypic.  The problem is exacerbated when your figures are based, especially the thick ones like slotta. 
I judge all my vehicle purchases with a handy figure, using the Mk. I* Eyeball scale:  "If it looks right it is right", ditto 'planes n'boats. 1/48-1/52 seems the sweet spot. Somewhere there's a chart I made up for Lledo giving wheelbase dimensions vs actual vehicular measurements, to help sort things out.  Still have the wheel/tyre problem though, no matter how faithful the chassis.  I often wish there were a ready source of scale spoked, dished and wire wheels available for a reasonable price. 
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/611K14YllKL._AC_.jpg)
(https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/369074.jpg)

Incidentally 'Lledo' was Matchbox designer & Lledo founder Jack Odell's radio 'handle' in the Western Desert, a reversal of his own surname, a mnemonic device so as not to forget his wireless call sign!!


Valerik

Somebody tried to tel me a Covid joke the other day, I didn't get it...

I've used wheels of wrecked Matchbox cars to upgrade Lledo vehicles so they fit better. Comes out a treat if you can get your grubby mitts on the intermediate size wheels (obviously there's a variety of sizes).

There's a thread around here with more detailed info on efforts both vodkafan and I made to make such conversions, but damned if I can find it at the mo. 

A simpler option might be acquiring some 1st Corps wheels, as they look quite good. Not sure if they're sold separately, but a quick inquiry can't hurt.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Dodgy_Ed on August 12, 2020, 02:01:56 PM
They look awesom; if you're after more vehicles Oxford diecast do an almost perfectly scaled truck. Although most of their stuff is 1:76 but the they also do a promotional chevy type truck in a bigger scale which works well; it's available with a variety of loads and tilts, ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=Oxfrod+diecast+chevrolet+truck&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=oxford+diecast+chevrolet+truck&_osacat=0 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=Oxfrod+diecast+chevrolet+truck&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=oxford+diecast+chevrolet+truck&_osacat=0)has dozens of them for a few quid a piece and if you happen to be lucky enough to have a model railway show the traders almost always have them at dirt cheap prices.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: joekano on August 12, 2020, 05:31:58 PM
Thanks for the lead Ed.  I'll have to see how easy these are to find on this side of the pond.

Chris
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: tin shed gamer on August 24, 2020, 11:29:16 PM
Nicely done,
I must admit I thought of Vodkafan's Wheel resizing threads( I couldn't find it either)

Some of the new wheels I've used on the Follies car's are sculpted by Rich.H . Some are by me .All are designed to switch out wheels on Diecast cars.

If you ask Simon and Mick at 1st Corps for several sets they may do you some( there are some sets floating around on their site but not all the wheels are on the website as separate sets as of yet.)

Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: vodkafan on August 25, 2020, 11:19:09 PM
Nicely done,
I must admit I thought of Vodkafan's Wheel resizing threads( I couldn't find it either)



Thanks Mark and Fram  for remembering! I looked through all my previous threads and found it (2016) but the photos were victims of the Photobucket carnage. I have the originals somewhere so I will put them up again probably tomorrow. I have also since found a new source of resin wheels for later vehicles.   
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: trev on August 26, 2020, 10:34:40 AM
Looking forward to this.  I missed the original post.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Etranger on August 26, 2020, 10:52:16 AM
Great work & thanks for the decals. I suspect they will emerge in a Den of Thievery in the future...
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: vodkafan on August 28, 2020, 08:50:07 AM
Hi sorry about the delay. Here are a couple of the original pics from 2016 showing wheel swaps on Lledo vehicles.
Model T van:
(https://i.postimg.cc/mDV81mRP/DSC-0614.jpg)

Peugot:
(https://i.postimg.cc/rsPjQzDc/DSC-0618.jpg)

All the Lledo wheels are a standard 14mm diameter. For some of the larger models they just look wrong . The Matchbox MOY models can be bought in junk condition in job lots and the spoked wheels vary according to model from 16-19mm. My method for swapping them was a bit clumsy back then but you get the idea.

For later vehicles when pneumatic tyres came in I struggled to find good wheels but then discovered a great source- Stuart Binning from Anyscale Models. After an email he kindly supplied me with resin wheels from his range in lots of different diameters. He has recently added separate wheel sets on his web page.

Here are some conversions and the difference they make to diecasts:
added to a diecast Unimog which had very toylike wheels:
(https://i.postimg.cc/597sxKnG/20200726-145104.jpg)

Model A van "militarized". These diecasts are so plentiful I pick them up for 10p at car boots!
(https://i.postimg.cc/yxth05G8/IMG-20181010-221412.jpg)

1934 Chevy van as in the original poster's pic. This looks much better with 16mm resin wheels compared to the original 14mm Lledo wheels.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DwVdZ9sC/IMG-20181013-084936.jpg)

Hope this helps anybody.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: flatpack on August 28, 2020, 08:54:12 AM
James
Well done.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on wheels.
I think that helps a lot.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Poiter50 on August 28, 2020, 08:58:41 AM
Gives me some thought for wheels in 3D print files. Thank you.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: vodkafan on August 28, 2020, 09:03:13 AM
James
Well done.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on wheels.
I think that helps a lot.

Thanks Bob. That Unimog is for you by the way for your moderns- just have to find a driver with a Taliban hat or similar.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Digits on August 28, 2020, 09:07:29 AM
Nice work James, definitely transforms the look of the vehicles for sure.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Roo on August 28, 2020, 09:20:11 AM
Son glad I stumbled here, the vehicles look great.   Had a quick look at the website but couldn’t see the 16mm diameter you used?  Would you mind helping me in the right direction...politely of course!

Thanks
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: vodkafan on August 28, 2020, 09:53:26 AM
Son glad I stumbled here, the vehicles look great.   Had a quick look at the website but couldn’t see the 16mm diameter you used?  Would you mind helping me in the right direction...politely of course!

Thanks

Hi Roo the 16mm wheels are the Humber wheels. If you email Stuart and ask him nicely he will do some. I always ask for a batch of at least 20 to make it worth his while.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Poiter50 on August 28, 2020, 10:00:26 AM
Humber armoured car or Humber truck?

Hi Roo the 16mm wheels are the Humber wheels. If you email Stuart and ask him nicely he will do some. I always ask for a batch of at least 20 to make it worth his while.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: vodkafan on August 28, 2020, 10:05:32 AM
Humber armoured car or Humber truck?

The Humber Heavy Utility.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Poiter50 on August 28, 2020, 10:25:35 AM
Thank you.

The Humber Heavy Utility.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Roo on August 28, 2020, 11:29:59 AM
That’s great thanks.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: tin shed gamer on August 28, 2020, 12:08:03 PM
Had a little time to root through some pictures to find some of the 1st Corps wheels that cross over to die cast vehicles.
Speaking of Humber armoured cars and trucks .Sine of Simon and Micks new ww2 vehicle wheels might be useful as well even thought they're 1/48.
I've re used a set for the Morris 15 cwt.
I may have a spare couple of sets of usable wheels floating around if you'd like some.
I think I chucked a few Vodkafans way ( didn't realize it was that long ago.) I don't know if I've any civillian drivers left though . All the new ones are bagged up ready for casting including the female drivers Vodkafan asked for.
Though two or three are already on sale as some of the touring car set's.I think Simon and Mick have started selling the vehicle crew figures as sets in their own right.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: gamer Mac on August 28, 2020, 12:40:09 PM
Some lovely vehicles on this thread
never noticed the difference in the wheel sizes until you have pointed it out
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: trev on August 28, 2020, 02:47:29 PM
Great tips and painting all round.  Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: marianas_gamer on August 29, 2020, 12:06:10 AM
Thanks Vodkafan. That was very illuminating.
Lon
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: Bravo Six on August 29, 2020, 12:09:53 AM
WOW!  :o So much great eye candy. Well done all around!
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China
Post by: flatpack on August 29, 2020, 07:03:38 AM
Cheers James for the Unimog
Don’t worry about the driver, as I usually black out the windows.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China. Update 30Aug20
Post by: joekano on August 30, 2020, 10:25:24 PM
I've added a few more of the Lledo vehicles to my collection:

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbWQgxlHTfQ/X0wYcY2-AwI/AAAAAAAAGx4/lx8j4Lcb0104r3lQQbFmwNNmA6wKqXbfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Custom%2B3.JPG)

As before, more pics and free decal designs on the blog.
https://majorthomasfoolery.blogspot.com/2020/08/customized-diecast-vehicles-for-28mm_30.html (https://majorthomasfoolery.blogspot.com/2020/08/customized-diecast-vehicles-for-28mm_30.html)

Cheers!
Chris
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China Update 30Aug20
Post by: tin shed gamer on August 30, 2020, 11:11:26 PM
Cracking Stuff.
I do like the way you've interpreted the Liveries on your vehicle's.
Plus I'll acknowledge we ever so slightly (all be it with good intentions) highjacked your thread.
If you want me to dig out some wheels the offer still stands.

Either way I'm looking forward to seeing more from your collection.

Mark.
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China Update 30Aug20
Post by: joekano on August 31, 2020, 02:37:53 PM
No worries Mark. It’s all about sharing ideas for projects.

I’m just going to be using my vehicles as battlefield terrain, so the original wheels will work for my purpose. But appreciate the offer and information.

Chris
Title: Re: Diecast Vehicle Conversions for 1920's and 1930's China Update 30Aug20
Post by: Captain Darling on September 01, 2020, 09:34:28 PM
Chris,

Great work converting the vehicles, your paint schemes are ace for your requirement!

Cheers!