1:48 Grader

An American motor grader in 1:48 scale

This is a complete resin kit, not a plastic model. According to the manufacturer's data it contains 159 resin parts, a fret of photo-etched parts, decals and detailed instructions, and it is explicitly intended for experienced modelers. The subject is an American motor grader, that is a machine with a long frame and an adjustable blade set at an angle in the middle, with which the surface of roads is leveled. Graders of this type were used on a large scale in the 1940s and 1950s in building field airfields, so on a diorama they represent hardware that is entirely at home in airfield scenes and yet appears only rarely in model form.

The real subject

A motor grader has an unusual shape that follows from its job. Between the front axle and the rear wheels there is a long space in which the adjustable blade hangs. The longer the frame, the more calmly the machine runs and the flatter the surface it leaves behind. That is exactly why graders look so unusually elongated.

Building and painting tips

First wash the resin parts in lukewarm water with detergent so that the mold release agent residue disappears. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw and level the surfaces with a file; do the work in a ventilated room and protect your airways. Bend the photo-etched parts over the edge of a ruler. Glue with super glue and apply a primer before painting. Assemble the frame and the axles dry; on a long chassis a small deviation shows up as a twist in the whole machine.

Who the model is for

• For modelers who build airfield and construction hardware.
• For builders of dioramas that call for a civilian or engineer machine.
• For experienced modelers with experience of resin and photo-etched parts.

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.