Cat 60's in 1:20

[NORCALLOGGER]

Hi all,
Now that I have figured out how to post pictures I thought I should show a couple shots of
one of my latest projects.  These are scratch built Caterpillar gas fired model 60's from the late 1920's.  There is nothing available in 1:20 scale so you have to scratch build almost everything that is not train related. 


Here the two 60's are on their flat with the loading car trailing.



A close up of the cable dozer with it's homemade cable boom and  two drum Carco winch on the back.




Here is the "logging cruise" version with the brush guard, front bumper and also a two drum Carco on the back.  I will eventually build a couple of tracked logging arches to go with these guys.




Another view of the two cats and their sway backed transportation to the woods.



The only commercial parts in/on these are the decals and metal tracks.  The sprockets and lower track rail are from 1:16 scale diecast John Deere crawlers.  I used them as a starting point as the wheel base was spot on , front to back, for the 60 in 1:20 scale.  The frame was cut and widened as the 60 was nearly as wide as it was long when it came to wheel base.

Now that they are finished I kinda wish I had scratched the lower track rail and sprockets as the ones used are close but not exact copies of the Cat.

One of these days I will get around to weathering them a little, probably summer mode just grease and dust. 


I realize they are not on a par with the modeling that is common here but I keep trying.

Thanks for your time.
Rick Marty

[Scratchman]

Rick, I think they are just wonderful great job..

Gordon Birrell

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/

[jacq01]

    Rick,

    fantastic project, very very well executed. 

    Jacq

[shropshire lad]

[quote}


I realize they are not on a par with the modeling that is common here but I keep trying.

Thanks for your time.
Rick Marty





[/quote]
   
   Rick ,

  What a complete and utter load of nonsense . Those models are way and above what most people on this , or any other , forum are capable of doing (or at least willing to put the time into) so please don't spout such hogwash and show us some more photos .

   I do agree that they need some subtle weathering . I recommend ( if you haven't already) you check out some military modelling forums to see what they do . Because they are the best people at weathering metal . That's , of course , after you have spoken to Chuck , Marc , Ken and Gordon .

   I hope you have prepared an article on their construction , because Russ will be expecting one ,

   Nick Ogden

[MrBrownstone]

Hello Rick,

Those Cat's look great... keep at it... I am looking forward to seeing more.

Not sure if the rail car would be bent as much...but I am the last one here who would know for sure.

But I like it... 

Mike

[finescalerr]

Way to go, Rick. And, yes, I might be interested in an article. -- Russ

[Ken Hamilton]

So....Ricky......where have YOU been hiding? 

These are fantastic pieces of work.  A little weathering wouldn't hurt, but as far as I'm
concerned your "factory fresh" look can be justified with no problem.

Wow.  I'm really impressed. You really need to stick around and show us more............!!
Great job.

[lab-dad]

Very kool!
Would love to see some step by step photos next time you build.
Thanks for sharing
-Marty

[NORCALLOGGER]

Hi all,
Thank you all for the kind comments, it is always nice to have your efforts appreciated.

Nick,
You have probably been on this forum for some time and don't realize the intimidation factor
that faces a newcomer here.  Then again maybe it's just me.  Weathering is always a tricky thing
and up to individual interpretation.  Seems like no two things weather the same even in the same
environment.  I am always open to new ideas and methods, can you recommend some of the military sights
you mentioned?


Mike,
Well,  remember your looking at 1:20 scale not HO, that flatcar is 19 inches long coupler face to face.
The measured sag in the middle is 6 inches.  Way to much sag for a mainline or even a good branchline
but still a pretty serviceable car for a broke dick logging outfit.  besides that's where it settled when
I took the torch off of it .


Ken,
Thanks for the comments.
My idea was they are returning to the woods in the spring after a winter in the shop yards
being rebuilt and refitted for the new season, weathering would be pretty light.  Were they
repainted over the winter, pretty unlikely for a logging outfit, so I have to find some method
to fade and rub off that newly painted look.  Any suggestions?


Russ,
How do I reach you by email?

Thanks to all for the warm reception
Rick Marty

[Mr Potato Head]

 Great job they look fantastic!, I see a lot of 10, 20's and so on here in Idaho, people put them on display next to the highway, and it's not uncommon to see a farmer with hundreds of tractors laying in a field, nothing gets thrown away out here, they just go to pasture.Keep up the good work and post more pictures of your work.
Gil

[MrBrownstone]

Hello Rick,

And Now I understand a bit more about modeling for the enviornment and not just the subject itself.

Thanks for giving me a better way to piece together the broader perspective...(I need to apply that in my own modeling efforts) 

Mike

[scrappy1]

WOW they look awesome

[chester]

Wonderful scratch builds! And great subjects to model.

[shropshire lad]

Hi all,


Nick,
You have probably been on this forum for some time and don't realize the intimidation factor
that faces a newcomer here.  Then again maybe it's just me.  Weathering is always a tricky thing
and up to individual interpretation.  Seems like no two things weather the same even in the same
environment.  I am always open to new ideas and methods, can you recommend some of the military sights
you mention

Rick Marty

 Rick ,

  Whilst it is true that this forum contains some of the best modellers of our sort of modelling , most of the rest of us are just hangers on looking to learn stuff for ourselves . Intimidation is not something that happens around here , much , unless Uncle Russ gets into one of his uncontrollable rages when he sees that someone hasn't put antlers and chains on his Bachmann Plymouth critter ( an injoke which you'll soon learn about the longer you stick around here ) .

 Here are a few sites to look at to get you started . I'm sure others will add some more .

   www.armorama.com
   www.missing-lynx.com
   www.migproductionsforum.com
   www.militarymodelling.com

  On book worth looking out for is " F.A.Q. of the AFV painting techniques" by Mig Jimenez . Whilst it is not definitive and has ( in my view) a number if faults , it is still a good place to start . It is not , however , a cheap book .

 You will also find a wealth of products out there that are designed to help age , weather and generally degrade vehicles to the level you require . Look out for the filters and oil paints that are designed to make paintwork look faded .

  At the very least I would have thought you would want oil and grease stains around the running gear and engine and a thinnish layer of dust over them .
  Something that I tend not to do , is to practice on something that is not important before wading in on your pride and joy . Worth thinking about ?

  Hope this is of some help ,

 Nick

[MrBrownstone]

Hello Rick,

I am not intimidated by these guys; I am intrigued by the highly skilled fine scale modelers here. (Just don't let them gang up on you.... Just kidding.) 

And if anyone should be intimidated it should be me (Rick you have displayed more skill than I have.) 

And you are also correct Rick; there are some very good (understatement) modelers in this forum.  It's the reason I want to watch their methods and techniques and learn from them as well. 
(be sure to show these guys your methods and techniques it helps confirm your own discoveries.)

I am still working on getting into the proper perspective on this type of modeling myself. 
(Wish it was as easy as internet/intranet development.... (The creation of public and private internet/intranet websites and online commerce services, database design and structuring, and the delivery of that data.)

In modeling; I tend to find myself moving too fast.... I find I have to discipline myself to slow down and control my excitement.

Mike