Revell Peterbilt 352 COE -- 1/32 scale

Happened by the local Hobby-Lobby just at the right time, they were having a 50% off sale on models. I picked this new offering from Revell up just before Christmas. This is actually a fairly decent snap-tight kit that requires very little effort to make it look good. Some care must be taken to file out the wheels before attaching to the axles, and you may have to melt the axle ends to hold the wheels on. Of course there is some painting required to make your rig special -- I chose to build up and paint the chassis flat black. The interior tub and dash recieved the same treatment. I liked the sky blue cab color, but did not like the decals enclosed so I borrowed some decals from an AMT kit. So here it is ----

Now, if only Revell would make a nice 1/32 Fruehauf or Great Dane trailer to hook up to this kit --

Waiting For The Snow --- AMT Ford LNT 8000 Snow Plow

This past November my wife and I visited our daughter in Queens, NY for Thanksgiving. The rest of our family was there too. We had a truly magnificent time, visiting and seeing the sites of NYC. On one of those visits I made a stop at one of my favorite "old time" hobby stores -- a place called Rudy's Hobby Shop in Astoria.

It was there that I found another of those kits built long ago but now lost, and thanks to my son I got it. It was his early Christmas present to me, and he saw that I really wanted it.

This kit was the latest re-release of this model by Stevens International. Unfortunately it was discontinued, but maybe Round 2 will bring it back.

This was an okay build that I started in January. I took my time, building up the frame and painting it as a unit in flat black.

The picture above shows the completed frame, wheels attached and the main body components primed in Testor's gray primer. Note that I built the plow up as a unit, modified the hinge point by drilling it out and pinning it so it would work, and priming as a unit.

Test fitting is important with this model -- note that I chose to use a front bumper from an old AMT Mack R kit. I liked the look and after some slight modifications to the bumper it was a better fit.

It should be noted at this point that my wife has become more trusting of me, allowing me to do this build on our dining room table. This shows the body components being test fitted after painting with Testor's Competition Orange. Note that the interior tub is in place but NOT glued.

This is the completed model. The gas tanks were stripped of their chrome and steps attached. They were painted with Testor's Diamond Dust. The interior tub was done in flat black, dash and seats are done in Testor's Gray Primer. The FORD marques were done using a Sharpie silver pen as were the door handles and touch up on the mirrors. The reflective decals came from the AMT Log Trailer kit.

The mud-flaps were painted in flat black, and the raised FORD carefully scraped back to the white plastic. The sander unit was built as a unit and painted with the gray primer. The auger is flat black and was inserted after building the unit. I also added outside controls to the sander unit -- I like the way it looks.

Finished model, with dump body raised and plow in lifted position. Note the windshield frame was done using a Sharpie black pen. I wish the kit included an option for plow lights -- the headlights just won't work when the plow is lowered and it's blowing snow!!!

"CANNONBALL" --- A night at the movies

Two episodes of the classic ---- Cannonball!!!! The following was taken from "TELEVISION OBSCURITIES"


Cannonball was created by Robert Maxwell, one of the producers of The Adventures of Superman and the man responsible for Lassie. The New York Times reported on July 8th, 1958 that the series would be produced by Normandie Productions, Ltd. (the Canadian arm of Television Programs of America) with production set to begin in Toronto on July 14th [1]. Television Programs of America was responsible for filmed programs like Private Secretary, Fury, Halls of Ivy and Last of the Mohicans, among others.
In September of 1958, Television Programs of America and Normandie Productions were sold to the Independent Television Corporation [2].
On December 3rd, a full-page advertisement in The New York Times for Independent Television Corporation called Cannonball a "stirring human-interest series about truckers on the highway to high adventure" [3]. It was one of four shows the company had in production for "national sale" (the others were The Four Just Men, The Adventures of Tom Swift and Interpol Calling). Paul Birch and William Campbell starred in Cannonball as Mike Malone, nicknamed Cannonball, and Jerry Austin, truckers working for C & A Transport who spent their days driving a big rig across Canada and the United States. Howard Milsom played Harry Butler, their dispatcher. Rounding out the cast were Beth Lockerbie, Beth Morris and Steve Barringer as Mike's wife Mary and his children Ginny and Butch.
The series premiered in Canada on Monday, October 6th, 1958, broadcast by CBC. Because it was syndicated locally in the United States there was no nation-wide premiere date. But it appears the show wasn't seen until 1959. Cannonball premiered in Los Angeles, for example, on Monday, May 18th, 1959 airing on KHJ from 8:30-9PM. In New York City, the series was seen on Fridays from 7:30-8PM beginning October 16th, 1959. And it aired on WGN-TV in Chicago from 8:30-9PM (7:30-8PM local time) starting on October 30th, 1959.
A total of 39 episodes of Cannonball were produced. In addition to Canada and the United States, the series was also seen in the United Kingdom. I'm afraid I don't know who sang the theme song.
Works Cited:

1 Shepard, Richard F. "Networks Widen Recording Use." New York Times. 8 Jul. 1958: 55.
2 "12 TV Shows Sold in $13,500,000 Deal." New York Times. 16 Sep. 1958: 55.
3 [Advertisement]. New York Times. 3 Dec. 1958: 74.

Look Who's Driving --

Just like my friend Jerry is ALWAYS telling me, "you never know where you're going to find a truck", well in this instance, "you never know who's driving it".

I have a couple of older post on the 1940's movie "THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT" with Humphrey Bogart and George Raft  so the story is known. So, as the late Paul Harvey would say -- "and now for the rest of the story".

Also, since we are back on the subject of  "THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT", there was this model that was used for about 90 seconds in the movie. It was a 1/4 scale exact duplicate of the 1922 Sterling that Bogey and Raft drove in the movie. This model was recently in the possession of a gentleman out in California, and can be seen in the book "MOVING THE GOODS" by Ron Kowalke. This model recently went up for auction and was expected to bring $10-15,000. It sold for ---1922 Sterling Truck Model with Humphrey Bogart Sold For $24,750.

And all I got is a picture ---

Blue Diamond Fuel Company --- The Trucks of Domenico F. Proscia

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"Domenico F. Proscia, Bari, Italy (1902? - 1980) started Blue Diamond Fuel Oil in Brooklyn, NY, Grandpa Domenico in 1929 when he had his first brand new Ice and coal truck. If you look at the plate, it says 1929. This is the year my Dad was born, Grandpa had the business going and now his first son all at the same time. What a great year it was for him and my grandmother even though it was the year of the great depression." --- Domenic F. Proscia

I always appreciate when someone takes the time to send an email regarding one of my posts here. Thus was the case a couple of weeks ago when I got an email from Domenic Proscia, the grandson of the gentleman in the picture above. Domenic had read a post I put up about Brockways and he said it brought about a flood of memories about his grandad and his days with BLUE DIAMOND FUEL COMPANY.

BLUE DIAMOND is located in Brooklyn, New York. It was started back in the 1920's by Domenics' grandfather Domenico.

It is still a family owned business that survives today in Brooklyn.

The best part of Domenics' email is that he stated that he had some pictures of some old trucks used by his granddads' company  and some were BROCKWAYS. He asked if I were interested --- of course I was, and thus began a new friendship.

So, below are the pictures he sent -- not all Brockways, but some neat old Whites too. The captions below the pictures are Domenics own words.

"Grandads' 56 Brockway" --- Domenic F. Proscia

"1961 Brockway this truck was my Uncle Richie's he lives in Florida now the last of the living original Blue Diamond Family this truck had a blown governor and it would run 80 to 90 on the highway." ----- Domenic F. Proscia

"1965 Brockway this was my Uncle Mikes truck this truck was a real work horse with class". -- Domenic F. Proscia

" 64 White Mustang. This was the only truck that my Grandfather and my Grandfathers brother Willie purchased while thier sons were on vacation. This truck was terrible and I was stuck with it for a short period of time, so I made the best of it and when I got Engaged to my wife I painted her name on the front " Little Nancy " ---that made me feel better." ----- Domenic F. Proscia

"1963 White 3000 "bubble cab" we purchased this one used it was a great truck except the shift was about 3ft long and it felt like you shifted all the way to the other side of the cab." ----- Domenic F. Proscia

"1974 White Expeditor. This was a beautiful truck. The oil tank that is on it came off the 1961 Brockway. The one problem with this truck if you didn't unload the fuel going from the back to the front and if you let off the clutch fast you would pop a wheelie because the rear of the tank extended over the axel. This was a design transition we were trying back then in the middle 70's." ---- Domenic F. Proscia

I can not thank Domenic enough for sharing those pictures, but more importantly for sharing the love and respect he had for his grandfather. Domenico came here from Italy searching out the American Dream. He built a company, survived the Depression, and had a great family --- I wish I could have known him.

thank you Domenic ---

For more about the history of the BLUE DIAMOND FUEL COMPANY --- just click on this or any link in this article. There are some more pictures too!!!

UPDATE --2/13/12 --- Kate Prosia

Dear George,

  My name is Kate Proscia. I am the oldest daughter of Domenic Proscia.  I can not thank you enough for that beautiful article . My father forwarded me the email this morning.  You have put a big smile on both of our faces.  The love and respect my Dad had for his grandfather and Blue Diamond is something no one could ever understand or put into words.  Growing up as a young girl I heard countless stories and had the opportunity to visit the company when my grandfather was still alive.  I was the only little girl that wanted to ride in an oil truck and wear the jacket promoting the company with nothing but pride.  I was only one when my great grandfather past but the love and respect I have for that man is endless. It is the same respect I have for my father.  That respect carried so far that I named my second son Vincent Domenico, so that my boys know that it was hard work and determination that allow them all that they have today. So from the bottom of my heart thank you so very much for honoring my great grandfather and my father with that article and pictures.

 With much thanks,

 Kate Proscia

Thanks Kate ---

Penn Yan Express --- A New Web Page

Just up the road from me is the town of Penn Yan, New York. At one time it used to be the home of PENN YAN EXPRESS, and since they utilized, almost predominately, my favorite truck -- Brockway, I thought I would post this as way of directing some traffic to the new web site for this historic fallen flag.

So here it is --- PENN YAN EXPRESS --- Click on the link and simply ENJOY!!!

LEGO 10220 -- Volkswagen T1 Camper Van

Just released by Lego in October, when I saw this I knew I had to get it for my collection. This is one of the most amazing Lego kits yet -- at least I think so. If you want one you had better act fast, as this is fast becoming a collectors item amongst VW fans.

Although the kit contains over 1300 pieces, and takes two manuals to build, it is a fairly easy build if you take it step by step.  However, the hardest part of building with Lego is finding the piece you need. Lego packs the pieces in clear bags -- big bags for bigger pieces, small bags for small pieces. What I did was to empty all the big bags into an empty shoe box, doing the same with the smaller bags in another empty shoe box. This made it kind of like looking for a zig saw puzzle piece when looking for a parts as called for by the instructions -- somewhat easier though.

So here are some pics of the build --

Chassis and rear bed area

Chassis, doors, sink, front seat cushion 

Build up of sides, passenger side, and front seat

Inside View from the rear ---

Doors, Windows, Curtains

Front Roof Section---

Ready for rear roof section --- removable for access 

Pop Top Unit --

Passenger side looking in

All in all it took just over thirteen hours to build this beautiful example with many working details --

This was just plain fun --- YOU GOT TO GET ONE!!!!

Mercury Buses, Penn Yan Buses Division, Hammondsport, NY- School Buses -- 1945 -48

It all started two weeks ago when I received an email from my friend Vern Tyler asking me to please check a web site and look at a picture there. This is what I found --

And so since they made school buses, that plaque lead to a two week intense search for any information about the company mentioned. The quest ended today with my finding some old newspaper articles relating to the formation of Mercury Buses of Hammondsport.

Also, until last week, no pictures of the school buses made by Mercury existed on the web -- I put an end to that with a call to Mercury Aircraft and the help of Laura Chandler.

So I guess now I will put the story of Mercury Buses, Penn Yan Buses Division of Hammondsport, New York into proper perspective I hope.

In 1945, Mercury Aircraft purchased Penn Yan Bus Bodies Inc. of Penn Yan, New York.

Penn Yan Bus Bodies was located on Liberty St. in Penn Yan and was formed when Whitfield and Sons Coach Builders of Penn Yan went bankrupt in 1933.

Whitfield and Sons Coach Builders of Penn Yan, New York had been building coach and bus bodies since 1885.

Willet Wetmore bought the bankrupt Whitfield and Sons Coach Builders and leased property from Penn Yan Boat Co. on Liberty St. in Penn Yan, New York to form Penn Yan Bus Bodies Inc. of which he was president.

In 1941, Penn Yan Bus Bodies Inc. was seriously damaged in a fire which may have lead Willet Wetmore to seek a buyer of remaining equipment.

This is where Mercury Aircraft steps in according to the  article from the Geneva Times,Thursday, Septemer 20th 1945,  and purchases remaining equipment belonging to Penn Yan Bus Bodies Inc. of Penn Yan, New York. They opened a new facility in Hammondsport -- Mercury Buses, Penn Yan Buses Division.

From 1945-48 Mercury Buses employed aircraft building techniques to manufacture 250-300 school buses. They utilized aluminium frames and riveted aluminium bodies. Mack and Brockway supplied most chassis along with Dodge and White. I also believe Ford chassis were used too.

Karl Kreutziger, sales manager of Mercury Buses, bought the Penn Yan Buses Division from Mercury in 1948 to fulfill Mercury's contract for 100 unfinished Mercury Buses. From that purchase, what was to become Coach and Equipment Mfg. of Penn Yan was formed.

To see all pictures relating to Mercury Buses, click on any picture above ----

The Trucks of Guy Robaye

This past week I received another of those e-mails I so enjoy, this one from Belgium and a gentleman named Guy Robaye. Now Guy speaks french, but his English is good, but what he does best is draw trucks, not just European models but American trucks seen in Europe too. He sent me a few examples of his work, and I don't think he would mind my posting them here.

So Guy, this post is for you ---

Chevy Spartan 120

Ford N Series

1954 Ford F920

1952 Ford F7 V-8 4x4

European Ford Simca

1957 Ford F-800 "BIG JOB

These are just a few of Guys drawings. If you like what you see here, and are looking for some good drawings of European trucks, visit Guy's site here through the dieselgypsy --

GUY ROBAYE

Narragansett Fire Dept. # 3

It's just like my friend Jerry always says, "you never know where you're going to find an old truck". Thus it was last week when I was down in Rhode Island moving our son. We were on our way down to Narragansett  via route 1 when I spotted one of the subjects of this post. We did not have time to stop that day, so I made it a point to go back the following day.

Fortunately I met up with a young lieutenant that showed me around the station and introduced me to one of the trucks that I saw, a 1927 Maxium that was used by the station up to the early 60's ----

"Ashes flew from Jerusalem’s traditional Independence Day bonfire, set ablaze on the eve of the celebration in 1959 by a group of mischievous youngsters in the middle of the night, reads the historical account of the history of the relationship between the Union Fire District and the isolated Narragansett neighborhood.
Wind carried burning embers through the sleepy community and across unsuspecting doorsteps. Cinders fell and smoldered on the rooftops and porches of homes. For more than 30 minutes homeowners waited for firefighters fromNarragansett’s Station No. 1 on Rodman Street to make their way around the Point Judith pond, through Wakefield and down Succotash Road to help them save their beachside cottages and squelch the flames of the untimely bonfire.
Although tragedy was avoided that night, Captain Emeritus Hilly Munson, a Union Fire District volunteer for the town of South Kingstown for since 1961, was a young man living in Jerusalem at the time. He said the bonfire scare brought to light the vulnerability of the neighborhood’s homes.
“They had a station there [in Jerusalem] at the time with an old 1927 Maxim Pumper, only when the call came in that night they couldn’t get the truck up over the hill,”  Munson said, referencing the steep stretch of road known today as Beach Row that the truck tried to climb. “After it took Point Judith more than 30 minutes to respond, people were wondering why the Snug Harbor Station, just a mile and a half down the road, didn’t come."

Once I got over drooling on this magnificent piece of fire apparatus history, I spotted somethig sitting over in the corner of the fire station I hadn't seen the day before. WOW!!! Here sat another great piece, a survivor of the previous hurricane albeit with a broken head gasket --- an early Federal pulling a 1907 horse drawn pumper. My best guess is this is a 1911 Federal.

The Pumper

Picture found on the internet of complete unit

I would say that this was a profitable visit, getting to see these two marvelous pieces of fire fighting history. I hope the guys at station #3 approve. My sincere thanks for allowing me the time to add these trucks to my collection, and for keeping them in truly beautiful condition!!

Narragansett Station # 3 as it appears today ---

Note: These may be the only pictures of this particular Maxim on line. The pictures of the Federal are also the only other ones with the exception of the "whole unit" picture used above.

A little something extra found on You Tube ----