A couple years back [yikes, almost a decade!], I encountered a problem with a model where a single set of rear drive wheels was absent from the box. I wasn't so interested in the rest of the parts that were in the box at that time, but after doing more research over the years, I discovered that this vehicle which appeared to be 1:72 scale was actually the beginnings of a 1:87 M-123 kit bash using the M-25 10-ton chassis and an M-39 series cab. When further I found out that the M-39 chassis was introduced in 1951 and the M-123 truck was introduced in 1955, I have decided I want to complete the model M-123. For those who wonder about the M25/M26 disparity, the M-25 becomes the M-26 when it is attached to the M-15 tank recovery trailer.
This makes the two missing rear tires to be a serious matter. I cannot simply use spare tires, whereas these parts are the wrong side of the well pattern. My alternatives then were to buy another M25/M26 Dragon Wagon and take the pieces off that second model, or to take a set of wheels from a Mack B-71 resin kit that I bought off Ebay and coincidentally has the same wheel sets in the kit. These one piece mold castings are not as complete on the backsides and are not up to my standards on the front sides, so I discounted this option.
I had hoped that I might happen across a large parts lot of Minitanks wheels, but this has not happened, or if it has, I have ended up with the smaller or medium sized wheel sets or simply missed the auction. In any event, I hate to buy a second M26 set, because each time I do buy another set, I end up keeping the entire model assembled for another future project; I simply abhor destroying one model simply because I am missing a single wheel set elsewhere. Let us not forget that a M26 Dragon Wagon set is currently between $15.00 and $30.00, which makes scrapping out a truck just for a wheel set to be quite undesirable.
For years I have been encountering resin kits on Ebay such as the aforementioned Mack B-71, and in general, these kits are marked by low quality castings, or there are parts made as a single undesirable casting that would be better as two castings. The rear wheel set is a prime example of this, whereas in the Mack B-71 kit, the rear wheels are cast with the two tires mated together as a single part with no backside detail, while the original master is a two piece part. I would prefer two pieces, whereas there is more utility for the separate tires than there is with the single part.
I knew where the casters were getting their masters, but it never occurred to me that I might actually go ahead and simply make my own molds. Then, a couple months back I encountered a video on Youtube detailing how to make a two part mold for casting model parts out of resin. It occurred to me that I could make the missing parts myself, and in the case of my Mack B-71 kit, I can do the kit one better and replace the wheels and maybe even the kit's undetailed frame outright.
This one M25/M123 project is not my only motivation for learning this process. I really enjoy kit bashing model vehicles, but as of late some of my favorite modifications, such as updating the Woodland Scenic's Federal Dump Truck with a Jordan Model A all-weather cab, have come into a moment of crisis. The kits that I lean on are simply disappearing off the market due to companies folding, owners retiring, or owners passing on, companies selling off product lines, or companies simply discontinuing the product altogether. I understand that business is business, but this break in the time-production continuum does not help me and I do not relish paying a collector's premium for vintage kits.
When I found out that the product made by the Youtube video producer is sold locally at the big box craft store, I reached the point of critical mass. Let's get going!!
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