Truck (vehicle) Question - model

[nkalanaga]

Does anyone know what this is supposed to be?  My first thought was a Ford C, but it looks like it has an IH emblem below the windshield.  An online search of IH trucks didn't find anything, but that doesn't mean much.  The model has been around at least since the early 70s, as I had one back then, but this one was found today at a local train show.  A 1997 Walthers catalog didn't show it.  The only identifying mark on the underside is a triangle with an R over MM, with the Ms run together, there are only three verticals.




It looks a little odd, with the rear axle at the very back, but until I can figure out what it is, I hesitate to rebuild it.

Thank you

[cfritschle]

It's an International CO Loadstar.  Boyd distributed them in the U.S.   They were made by Roskopf Miniatur Modelle (RMM) in Germany.

Carter

Edit:  The models first appeared in Trade Topics in the June 1969 issue of Model Railroader.  The "official" announcement (ad) appeared in the July 1969 issue of MR.

Here is what I found out about the prototype for the March/April 2007 issue the The N Scale Collector's membership magazine:

"The International Harvester CO Loadstar trucks were built from 1963 to 1969, and these trucks were a relatively common in North America.  The CO Loadstar was replaced with the CargoStar in 1970.  The main spotting difference between the two is that the CargoStar had a wider cab and had a name badge with INTERNATIONAL spelled out mounted above the grill instead of the IH logo badge that appears on the Boyd model."

Boyd Models seems to have disappeared in the latter part of the 1970s, but the CO Loadstars did show up under other brands after Boyd ceased to exist.

[nkalanaga]

Thank you!  I did find pictures of International Loadstars from the 60s, but none looked like this one.  Obviously they used the name for more than one style.  Even with the full model name, Google Images gives mostly conventionals and school buses. 

The few cabovers they do show have the usual variety of wheelbases, so I think I'll shorten this one.  As a farm truck it will look more like the trucks I remember from the Northwest if the wheels are further forward under the bed.  Maybe this is a European preference?

[jimmo]

Thank you!  I did find pictures of International Loadstars from the 60s, but none looked like this one.  Obviously they used the name for more than one style.  Even with the full model name, Google Images gives mostly conventionals and school buses. 

The few cabovers they do show have the usual variety of wheelbases, so I think I'll shorten this one.  As a farm truck it will look more like the trucks I remember from the Northwest if the wheels are further forward under the bed.  Maybe this is a European preference?

It is supposed to be an International Loadstar but it's not very well-rendered. The cab windows are too big and the windshield isn't right. Moving that rear axle closer to the center of the bed helps it look more domestic. I found that raising the cab up off the chassis also helps make it look more like the Loadstar pictures I found.

[nkalanaga]

Jimmo:  Thank you.  I wondered how accurate it was, considering its age.  I'll probably ignore the cab issues, though, as I doubt that most people (including myself) will notice them.  They, at least, look plausible.  The wheelbase, on  the other hand, looks strange for a North American truck.

Now all I have to do is find a use for the Bachmann concrete truck in the same collection.  I also had one of those years ago and never liked it.  Some of the CMW pickups are bigger.  Did anyone ever use trailer-mounted mixers about that size?  Or should I just scrap the mixer and make another grain truck from the cab and chassis? 

[jimmo]

Jimmo:  Thank you.  I wondered how accurate it was, considering its age.  I'll probably ignore the cab issues, though, as I doubt that most people (including myself) will notice them.  They, at least, look plausible.  The wheelbase, on  the other hand, looks strange for a North American truck.

Now all I have to do is find a use for the Bachmann concrete truck in the same collection.  I also had one of those years ago and never liked it.  Some of the CMW pickups are bigger.  Did anyone ever use trailer-mounted mixers about that size?  Or should I just scrap the mixer and make another grain truck from the cab and chassis?

When you research for model projects and then build those models you get fairly intimate with the details (as you know). This truck is one of my pet projects (along with the conventional Loadstar). But (as you stated) you would probably not notice the difference. The rear axle placement however, is definitely more European. Fixing that nets you a pretty nice little farm truck. I would also consider adding an upright (with window opening) piece to protect the cab, like you would see on most flatbeds.

I had a Bachmann cement mixer years ago and never liked how small and crude it looked. I reworked mine into a small box van. I reworked it so much I should have just tossed it and scratchbuilt a truck cab. Some of those discards make really nice junkyard pieces. I never thought of making a cement trailer out of it. Oh well, maybe if I end up with another some day...

[sirenwerks]

When you research for model projects and then build those models you get fairly intimate with the details (as you know). This truck is one of my pet projects (along with the conventional Loadstar). But (as you stated) you would probably not notice the difference....

Does this mean we can be expecting a Loadstar from you sometime soon?

[jimmo]

Does this mean we can be expecting a Loadstar from you sometime soon?

Yes, maybe two.

[sizemore]

Jimmo,
Do you have an updated PDF with all the vehicles you make?

Thanks,
Tim

[jimmo]

Jimmo,
Do you have an updated PDF with all the vehicles you make?

Thanks,
Tim

I don't Tim, just check the ebay store, that's everything I have available at this time. There is new stuff coming though!

[nkalanaga]

The cab protector sounds like a good idea.  Many of the non-flatbed Northwest farm trucks, at least in eastern Washington's grain country, didn't have them, but the sides on this one seem a little low for a dedicated grain truck.   Maybe I'll also try extending the sides, similar to the D&RGW's narrow gauge gons, by splicing the side stakes.  I've noticed that a lot of farm trucks aren't professionally engineered...

The wheelbase has now been shortened, which was a very simple project.  The previous owner thoughtfully(?) glued the cab to the frame, and the front of the bed, but I managed to pry the bed loose.  Two cuts, reverse the section with the wheels, and glue everything back onto the bed.  No measuring, just make it "look right". 

For anyone wanting an interesting farm truck, here's one I like.  I kitbashed a very similar one from a CMW cab, a shortened Athearn stakebed and rear frame, some GMM ladderstock, and a lot of styrene scraps.  Naturally, mine also got the repainted fender, as that's part of the character!

http://www.confluence.org/confluence.php?lat=24&lon=107
Photo by Targ Parsons, July 1, 2004

[sirenwerks]

I don't Tim, just check the ebay store, that's everything I have available at this time. There is new stuff coming though!

Are you still doing clear casts by request?  When that Ford PU is ready I'm wanting a couple dozen at least for autoracks + on layout.  And trucks like the Loadstar that will find placement @ industries close to viewers would welcome clear casting as well.  Or separate windshields...

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I have been on a ready-mix binge lately. I am not sure what the Bachmann mixer is based on, but it is so undersized, the cab is smaller than most pickups of the era. I think the thing really scales to about Z scale.

Now if you are looking for an early cement mixer, I would suggest you grab a set of CMW R190 trucks. I spliced two  models to add about 1mm to the frame length:


The body is from the Wiking cement mixer. The total cost of the conversion was less than $10. I still need to strip and repaint the cab. That paint is way too thick.

[nkalanaga]

Actually, I have no use for a cement mixer of any kind, not having either a ready-mix plant or a construction site.  The Bachmann mixer just happened to be in a box of random vehicles and I hate to waste anything.  For 1974 the Athearn mixer would probably be fine, and I have one, so I'm good there.  Yours looks good, though!

I second the "Z scale" comment.  Wonder if any Z modelers have tried narrowing the wheels and using it?

[Alaska Railroader]

I second the "Z scale" comment.  Wonder if any Z modelers have tried narrowing the wheels and using it?

Not sure the Z guys know about this. Maybe Catt does since he models both. Our friend Stony Smith makes several vehicles in Z at Shapeways and the cement truck is one of them. Too bad RP is so rough, in Z it is seems more pronounced because of the sheer smallness of the pieces being rendered.