First Gear #19-1295 1/34 Scale Diecast 1951 Ford USAF Full Rack Stake Truck (1993)

Here's a really cool diecast USAF truck from First Gear. On the one hand I know why I bought it. On the other hand I don't know why I bought it. Huh? Okay, it's Air Force. That's why I bought it. However, it's a larger scale than I normally prefer to collect for diecast vehicles and it'll be a bit tricky to fit into my setups. It measures 7.75" (19.68cm) L x 2.625" (6.66cm) W x 2.5" (6.35cm) H. There is a rear view mirror provided as a separate piece in the box for the driver's side only (it wasn't unusual for vehicles back in the early '50s to only have one rear view mirror). A second spare mirror is provided as these are fragile and easily broken. None of the stakes are removable and the rear gate does not open or close, but there are two chains attached for added detail.

Ed

I posed a couple of TimMee 65-70mm USAF figures with the truck for comparison. The only other USAF figures I have are the Marx 50mm ones which would look way too small next to this truck.

TRAIN TIME: K-Line 1/48 Scale Diecast Heavy Hauler #K-811201TT 'Take A Bite'

This was definitely a case of 'jumping the gun' when purchasing this years ago. At the time I was simply thinking about saving a few bucks and bought the cheapest of these I could find, even though these are common and a good example would only have cost a couple of dollars more. 

That was a poor decision. What I ended up with was a truck in kind of sad condition - not quite a total piece of junk, but getting there! Obviously, the box is rough. The tractor (truck) is in decent shape, but the trailer has issues. The top and sides are warped/bent and were bad enough such that the rear doors would not stay closed. I ended up just super gluing those shut! On the plus side, the graphics are still in really good shape and when placed on a train layout would still blend in nicely with the other vehicles. But the lesson is: when buying a common toy, look for one in good condition instead of trying to save a dinero or two! Be Blessed and Relish Life! Ed