Trumpeter

Faun SLT-56
Tank Transporter
Kit Construction
by Terry Ashley

Trailer Assembly:
Step 6 -7: Gooseneck assembly:
This section is basically a little sub section all of its own which you can do while the glue dries on other sections. There is a fair bit of filling and sanding needed here to eliminate the normal join seams and some pin ejector marks. What on first inspection appear to be hidden pin marks on the upper and lower panels (parts F18 and F37) are actually on the exposed sides due to the orientation of these parts on the sprues. These pin marks have to be filled and sanded before attaching to the side supports.

The two large side supports (parts F2 and F20) don’t have any pin marks in the recesses between the ribs which is good but the mould pop out points are on the extremities of the raised ribbing leaving small indentations along the outside edges.
Using a fine flat file you can quickly smooth out the edges of the supports and then attach the upper and lower centre panels (parts F18, F19, F31 and F37), it should be noted that the join lines between these parts and the side supports have to be eliminated completely (as these aren’t present on the real thing). Thankfully the fit of these parts is good, just make sure you align the joins evenly and eliminating the seams doesn’t pose any problems.

The instructions show there should be five drive shaft universal joints (parts C62) but only four parts 62 are supplied in the kit. Although I did find part D3 lurking unannounced, which is another U/J but slightly larger than parts C62, this fifth U/J can be used on the rear of the main central transfer case leaving the other parts C62 for the diffs.

The fit of all the accessories on the gooseneck was good and only required the normal cleanup of the parts before assembly, the two etched side steps also fit well after bending to shape, the only additions on this step was to drill out the two lifting eyes on the sides of the top panel (part F18). I left the gooseneck separate from the trailer until the trailer was completely assembled for ease of handling, but this is up to when you attach these parts.

Tractor Assembly: Steps 1 to 24.
Step 1 to 5: Cab Assembly.
Step 6 to 10: Chassis and Suspension.
Step 11 to 13: Fuel Tank, Spare Tire and Chassis details.
Step 14 to 19: Rear Tractor Assembly (1).
Step 20 to 22: Rear Tractor Assembly (2).
Step 23 to 24: Adding hoses and piping.

Trailer Assembly: Steps 1 to 14.
Step 1 to 5: Deck underside and Suspension.
Step 6 to 7: Gooseneck Assembly.
Step 8 to 10: Final Deck Assembly.
Step 11 to 13: Ramp Assembly.
Step 14: Attaching Trailer to Tractor.

Return to the first look review of the kit.

Page created 14 September 2003

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