I just recently started working on a model that has me considering some questions. The kit? MPC’s Hydro -Vee. Supposedly it’s 1/20 scale. Well, this one is not something that would appeal to most modelers I know. It’s more like a toy turned into a kit!
I have noticed that it comes with a snap in floor and swivel seats. Really? Now there is space under the floor for a battery box and the transom(the back of the boat) is strong enough to mount the right sized electric motor of which I have two.
So I chose to build the boat as a nice model on a stand, and take the trailer and convert it to a fully rigged out Camping Trailer. My question is this I forgot the math so–How tall would a 5’5" male be or a 6’2" male be. Or a 5’7"Female be. I have a 1/20 car so that isn’t a problem.
The reason I ask i, I need this info to decide the heighth of the trailer, both on the inside and out. This will decide the placement of windows and the size of the door. I know trailer doors are smaller than regular doors and I would need the build accordingly. i can go either way Between the fenders-8’ wide or over the fenders for a 10’ wide unit. I would need to figure out the overall height of the trailer on it’s wheels also.(Don’t want to make it to tall) For the Air unit on the roof. Remember, bridge clearances!
Thank you so much. Now I shall proceed! That is, To make it longer and use the heighth I have. This thing will have a full interior much like AMT’s Truck mounted Camper. The differences will be opening windows, door and cabinets as well as drawers and outside storage compartments. Shoot, I may even get the urge to light it up like model train folks do.
Years ago, back in the seventies(Late) I created a "Mobe-Master’ That’s a truck specifically designed to move Mobile homes. As they have gotten bigger, so have the trucks. Mine was based on the FORD LN-5000 box truck kit from AMT. besides the heavily modified cab, The tool boxes on the side were a duplicate of what was on the real one sitting in my drive.
This meant that the tool box doors had the same recessed latches as the real truck Including the cable stops for thiose that opened from the top. Plus, level latches for those that opened from the bottom. It all worked too! The truck hood tilted forward and the doors opened too! Ah! That kind of modeling is fun!
First, the scale of the kit. The box says the boat model is 10 1/2".
The real ones I see on line seem to be 16’ long.
16’ = 192 ".
192/18 = 10.66" so I’d go with 1/18 scale. Your 1/20 car will look a little small So unless the boat is a part of the diorama 1/20 for the trailer is probably the way to go.
Now I am on to the construction. One piano hinged door done and the windows are next. To get the proper look, I use plastic from C.D. Jewel cases, I bought a pack of 100 many years ago and boy, talk about clear windows. I have used most for custom buildings for model RailFan friends. Some for ship scratch-builds and then this. i have about maybe twenty left. So I will try to get as many windows out of one as I can.
The frosted back (or bottom) can be used for bathroom windows and or room separators. They also make good factory skylights. Evergreen has many tyoes of wall treatments and they just happen to have a shape that duplicates the extruded aluminium on the sides. So? We’ll see. I am trying at this time to get both a new Camera and a photostorage sight I can affortd so i can practice this “pichure thang, Agin” ! We’ll see!
Taking this poorly molded trailer and turning it into something useable has so far been fun! I’ll let you know after i finish cutting out and creating and framing the working windows. I intend for all the drawers and doors and windows to work and with the proper latches. Here’s to camping! Oh yeah ,this is going to be a centerpiece of a Dio-Without the car, but a lot of stuff seen on a camper sight!