One for Gregg

[tom mann]

I think around 2006, Gregg Malhkov told me about a book on billboard reefers that was coming out by a friend of his that would have a lot of rare photos.  Gregg got a hold of a JPG cover image of a cool Blue Ribbon Malt car and tried to make some decals out of it.  Since I was into billboard reefers at the time (mainly Milwaukee-based beer cars), he thought I would be interested in a set.  I thanked him, but offered to further clean up the image and print it out on my laser.

The original image from the upcoming book was obviously a colorized black-and-white.  I redrew what I could, and used close-enough fonts for the lettering. I remember thinking that the blue ribbon would obviously be blue, so I colored that in too. I printed out a set for myself and Gregg.  He used them right away and his completed work became banner #37a:



I remember him being happy.

As for me, I had completed one side, lost interest, and put it away. Until tonight.



I'm happy to say that the decals survived 12+ years! I'll weather this car to the best of my ability and finish it up asap.

Anyway, Gregg died in June 2009. I know I can speak for others when I say that we still miss him. For years, someone would reply to a thread that had a reply of his and for a split second I thought he was still around.

[SandyEggoJake]

Nice!  Great book too.

Looking at what you have so far, brings to mind a long nagging question.... was on the Clover House page today which reminded me they have dry transfer decals to add black to reefer hinges.  I've always suspected they were designed to work on a flat carside.  But has anyone had success using such to "paint" the hinge and door hardware on say the MTL or Atlas reefers with molded door hardware detail?

http://cloverhouse.com/Cart/product_info.php?cPath=1_21&products_id=13451

[davefoxx]

It's been ten years next June since we lost Gregg?  How is that possible?!  Lookin' good, !

DFF

[Chris333]

I have one of those reefers somewhere.

[peteski]

Nice!  Great book too.

Looking at what you have so far, brings to mind a long nagging question.... was on the Clover House page today which reminded me they have dry transfer decals to add black to reefer hinges.  I've always suspected they were designed to work on a flat carside.  But has anyone had success using such to "paint" the hinge and door hardware on say the MTL or Atlas reefers with molded door hardware detail?

http://cloverhouse.com/Cart/product_info.php?cPath=1_21&products_id=13451

I have a copy of that book - it is a great source of research info which MTL uses often for their projects.

The Clover House hinges are not an exact fit for any of the models - they are just generic hinges.

I have hand-painted hinges black on my custom-decorated MTL wood reefers. I used fine brush, strong lights and magnification, and IIRC, Testors flat black paint (form those small square bottles).  That was about 20 years ago - not sure if I could still do this freehand.  If I was to paint more reefers, now I would likely scan the car side into Corel Draw, design the hinge artwork then print decals on my Alps printer, and apply them over the door.

I should dig up one of those cars and post some photos.

[peteski]

I never met Greg (here or in-person) as I think that I joined after 2009, but it looks like he was a great modeler.

[tom mann]

I have one of those reefers somewhere.

Lol, I’m must have sent two sets out!

[Bangorboy]

I was honored to know Gregg from the Wiregrass Train Shows in Dothan, AL every September.  He had his very small but extremely detailed portable layout set up next to our modular or within 20 feet most years.  I spent a lot of time learning from him.  His models were exquisite.  I remember one particular city bus he was particularly proud to display, and this was before you could buy the National City Lines buses ready to use.
I miss seeing him every year.

[Chris333]

Lol, I’m must have sent two sets out!

Errr OK I was wrong, but I do have a reefer and I'm pretty sure Tom made these     Found it missing a truck:

[tom mann]

Yep, I made those too.

[Sokramiketes]

Errr OK I was wrong, but I do have a reefer and I'm pretty sure Tom made these     Found it missing a truck:

Man, those Fox trucks were a long time ago too.

[Chris333]

Man, those Fox trucks were a long time ago too.

Yep     Skibbe machined those out of wax and sent to me to cast in resin.

[peteski]

Yep     Skibbe machined those out of wax and sent to me to cast in resin.

Well, you just answered the question I was going to ask about the trucks.  So I assume none are available for sale?

[davefoxx]

Well, you've got one truck.  You can use that as a master to make more.   

DFF

[peteski]

Well, you've got one truck.  You can use that as a master to make more.   

DFF

Um, Chris is the casting-master!