DeLuxe Swift Tractor Decals Are Shipping

[rswinnerton]

Very nice Carter!

[James Costello]

Carter - did you modify the rear of the trailer to get away from the roadrailer look as well?

Thats my next puzzle to solve....

[up1950s]

Funny the first I heard of this scheme was here yesterday . Today I saw my first one on the road .

[GaryHinshaw]

And here is a closeup of the how the three axle bogie was created.

Outstanding results Carter.  Any tips on painting the rims/hubs on those bogies?

-Gary

[Hyperion]

Funny the first I heard of this scheme was here yesterday . Today I saw my first one on the road .

I'm sure you just never noticed it before.  Because you'd have to be completely blind to never have seen the Swift brand before.  They're the largest truck line in the world and have got something like 20,000 trucks and I'd have to guess at least as many trailers.

[rswinnerton]

19,000 trucks and 49,000 trailers strong!

[cfritschle]

Very nice Carter!

Thanks Russ, that means a lot coming from someone who operates the real thing!

Carter - did you modify the rear of the trailer to get away from the roadrailer look as well?

Thats my next puzzle to solve....

James,

All I do is fill in the "hole" for the RoadRailer hitch with Evergreen styrene strips.  Unfortunately, I don't have a good photo showing the back of the trailer.  And, I cannot remember the dimensions of the styrene strips for sure, but I think I use a couple of 0.03 by 0.04 strips with the DeLuxe "highway" bumper that comes with the trailers.

Carter

[cfritschle]

Outstanding results Carter.  Any tips on painting the rims/hubs on those bogies?

-Gary

Gary,

I use Polly Scale paint and stand the wheels and axle on end (like the letter "I") for drying.  As long as the paint is not too thick, it flows off the hub and lug nuts so that those features become very visible.  My two favorite colors to use are white and SP lettering gray.  I also separate the two axles and ream out brackets that hold the axles to the bogie ever so slightly so the axles can turn and "float" a bit.  That helps keep all the wheels on the ground if the trailer is parked on an uneven surface.

Carter

[GaryHinshaw]

Gary,

I use Polly Scale paint and stand the wheels and axle on end (like the letter "I") for drying.  As long as the paint is not too thick, it flows off the hub and lug nuts so that those features become very visible.  My two favorite colors to use are white and SP lettering gray.  I also separate the two axles and ream out brackets that hold the axles to the bogie ever so slightly so the axles can turn and "float" a bit.  That helps keep all the wheels on the ground if the trailer is parked on an uneven surface.

Carter

Brilliant way to turn a disadvantage (thin-ish paint) into an advantage.

Thanks,
Gary

[rswinnerton]

I'll get some wheel hub pics when I get into work today. Maybe it could be a new Tom Mann weathering project as most rims are fairly rusty. Any other detail shots you'd like?
Russ

[SecretWeapon]

DOT will knock you out of service for rusty rims.

[rswinnerton]

DOT will knock you out of service for rusty rims.

Mike,
It depends on 'rusty'. Surface rust is common. Deeper rust is a violation. All but our newest trailers have some rust on the rims and I've not been put out of service yet (knock on wood)

Russ

[Dave Ferrari]

... Any other detail shots you'd like?
Russ

Russ,

If you could get some good shots of the rear for road number decal placement I would appreciate it. I would want to put them up on the website for modelers to follow. In fact, side and front (for the roof logo) shots that I have explicit permission to post on the web would be excellent. All of the best shots used to create the Artwork were found on line. You of course get photo credit.

We are supposed to be doing a Swift paint scheme I've heard described as "Swift 1990's" and I really don't have enough photos to get the project done. There is a long band of colors across the side. Any photos of 53' DuraPlate trailers in that scheme would be very helpful. Side, door and nose too if possible.

Thanks in advance!

Dave

[rswinnerton]

Dave,
The 1990s scheme is the one I posted above with the cabover tractor. Finding a 53' trailer in that scheme will be difficult as they're all gone, replaced by the 1998-2008 scheme most prevalent today. The only trailers we have left in the '90s' scheme are 45'&48' trailers in captive service (Sears Dedicated, Virginia Alcohol, etc) or heavy haul. I can get pics of the shorter trailers, the color stripes would just have to be lengthened. I will also get pics next week of a Volvo 780 tractor (no camera this week) for the decal instructions. I'll also get close ups of all the different decals on the outside of the truck & 90s trailers, and number series for trucks & trailers.

I'll be back to you next week on it.

Russ