Promoting Excellence in HO Scale Vehicle Modeling

Texaco '46 Chevrolet & Shell '55 Ford Truck Tractors & Gasoline Tanker Trailers - By Dean Hess


This pair of vintage gasoline tankers from Dean Hess were built using Classic Metal Works' recently introduced 1946 Chevrolet and 1955 Ford F-700 three axle truck tractors. Starting with the tractors, they were completely repainted in Texaco and Shell Gasoline colors respectively. Dean added air brake service lines and a cab mounted horn to the Chevy and made new headlights to replace the original ones by punching out a small disc from styrene and then adding a very small dab of clear epoxy that make for a perfectly shaped head lamp.

The tank trailers are of his own design utilizing pictures and dimensional drawings. Each is designed/intended to " fit" the Chevy and Ford tractors in both size and style of the period. They are scale 30' long by 8' high cast in resin from Dean's own mold master. He used a Promotex trailer only for the elliptical shape of the tank and an Ulrich top for the manholes and drip edges; otherwise it is a complete rebuild and completely cast in resin. Note the dual arched wheel wells and extreme slope of the tank back. Dean used CMW's wheels, tires, and landing gear with suspension from A-Line. The trailer compartment doors are Ed O'Keefe decals and the Shell, Texaco, and flammable decals are from Ken Goudy. The Ford was previously featured in Photo Gallery 517.