Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
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20' Standard Refrigerated Container
165thspc
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Posted: Monday, August 26, 2019 - 04:53 PM UTC
Some additional progress tonight. This time on the refrigeration condenser unit:

.

The refrigeration control panel cover is on the lower left side of the structure. Those open drill holes seen around the frame are for accessing various sight glasses and flow meters built into the chiller internal plumbing.

165thspc
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Posted: Monday, August 26, 2019 - 09:56 PM UTC
How God laughs at our plans . . .

I started off building the refrigeration unit by connecting the top and bottom panels with the back wall of this little enclosure box. Then I continued with front and side corner framing. I had planned on adding the various screen panels next.

Funny thing is; once I had all this framed up the space was just too tight, too small, to get inside to mount the screens. I ended up having to cut a big window into the finished rear wall to give myself enough room to install the screens. Of course as soon as everything was in I painted all the interior surfaces flat black and immediately installed a new rear wall to close everything up again.

Still, I just hate taking one step back to go two steps forward!
165thspc
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Posted: Tuesday, August 27, 2019 - 12:18 AM UTC
Now for the gas tank (already started) and the temperature recorder:
.

The temp recorder should be fun!
165thspc
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Posted: Tuesday, August 27, 2019 - 12:38 AM UTC
Industry Standard; Temperature Sensing, Rotary Chart Recorder:

.
165thspc
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 12:18 AM UTC
Planning on building the chart recorder up out of a succession of sandwiched layers including one paper layer with a computer printed chart and another layer of clear acetate for the glass window.

Note short fold down ladder in photo above just below the recorder. This is to allow access for viewing the chart recorder even when the container is being carried on a high transport vehicle such as a HEMTT.
165thspc
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 12:46 AM UTC
Question:

Does anyone make an open frame trailer in 1/35th for transporting a 20' container? I did find a resin one in 1/24th with plans detailed enough to build one from scratch. Does the US Military employ any such beast?


Some recent reference material posted by Southpier:

https://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/our_own_models_and/dmtc-projects/current-dmtc-kits/dmtc-20ft-container/
165thspc
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 12:55 AM UTC
DMTC makes a resin open frame trailer in 1/24:


Photo and model by Rick Mark - posted elsewhere.


DMTC models CAD Photo.
165thspc
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 01:08 AM UTC
I always thought Trumpeter's M872 flat bed 40' trailer looked kind of boring coupled to their M915 Tractor but a scratch built skelton frame 20' Container Trailer now that could get kind of interesting!

Hummmmmm??????????
amoz02t
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 01:12 AM UTC

Quoted Text

DMTC makes a resin open frame trailer in 1/24:



So Mike is a chop down modification of the 40' trailer in Trumpeter M915 kit a possible backup approach to create a 20' trailer? Just thinking out loud and wondering what your thoughts would be on that kit bashing process. I know you already have that kit, right?



Following your posts and wishing you all the best- Stuart
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 01:45 AM UTC
Not Mike, but yes, you can cut the '40 connex in half to make two '20 connexes. You would need to scratch a new set of doors and an end wall for one of them to have two '20 connexes. There is a set of connex locks that are on the corners on Shapeways to assis as well. You would need one set to complete the one you build the ends (doors, end wall) on.

Shapeways ISO Container Corner Fittings

In the long run though, it may be easier and cheaper to just buy the Trumpeter '20 container.
amoz02t
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 01:57 AM UTC
Hi Gino. I got the impression Mike was working the 20" trailer carrier for the connex rather than the iso box itself? Have you tried cutting down and kit bashing the trailer as well as the box (as I have no clue on what is needed for that)? All the best-S
RobinNilsson
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 02:09 AM UTC

Quoted Text

....

In the long run though, it may be easier and cheaper to just buy the Trumpeter '20 container.



165thspc
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 02:22 AM UTC
Stuart, Gino, Robin - Wow guys, thanks of getting involved in this discussion!


There is, however, some slight confusion here . . . . .

I AM, here in the thread, cutting down the standard 20' container to make the refrigerated 20' container.

I AM NOT trying to cut down the 40' container to make two 20' containers. I see no point in that when you can just buy the specific kits for the 20' and 40' and be done with it, a la Robin's post.

I DO NOT currently own the M915 tractor/trailer kit because, as I say I was never all that impressed with a civilian truck simply done up in military garb.

It is PROBABLY possible to cut down the Trumpeter flatbed trailer (I am sure Gino can offer an opinion on that one since I believe he has the kit in hand) to make, what I consider to be, (IMHO) the much more interesting open frame 20' container transport trailer. (F.Y.I. - Even the resin DMTC 1/24th scale kit requires you to locate the boggy wheels elsewhere.)

In either case, what I am now thinking is that the CAD images published by DMTC contain more than enough information to scratch build the trailer frame itself and then we steal the boggies off the Trumpeter flat bed to finish the build.

_____________________________

I HAVE now contacted DMTC to inquire if they would be willing to run off a copy of their trailer in 1/35th scale. - According to their previous posts they cut this kit out of flat plastic stock on a CNC router machine - If this is still true it should be an easy task for them to change the scale on the CNC and do a "one off".

I will report back as to their reply.
165thspc
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 02:44 AM UTC
Active discussion here guys - way cool!
18Bravo
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 02:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text


In either case, what I am now thinking is that the CAD images published by DMTC contain more than enough information to scratch build the trailer frame itself and then we steal the boggies off the Trumpeter flat bed to finish the build.

[/I]



That was my thought as soon as I saw the images - it ain't rocket scientry. Nice work by the way.
Frenchy
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 02:56 AM UTC
Another option : a scratchbuilt M1022-A1 dolly set




H.P.
165thspc
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 03:01 AM UTC
Frenchy - you really are a trouble maker!

(Just kidding!)
RobinNilsson
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 03:03 AM UTC

Quoted Text

...
I AM NOT trying to cut down the 40' container to make two 20' containers. I see no point in that when you can just buy the specific kits for the 20' and 40' and be done with it, a la Robin's post.




It was Ginos comment, I was just having a laugh
HeavyArty
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Posted: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 - 04:14 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I AM, here in the thread, cutting down the standard 20' container to make the refrigerated 20' container.

I AM NOT trying to cut down the 40' container to make two 20' containers.



I am tracking what you are doing, Mike. I misread Staurt's post and thought he was asking about the connex.


Quoted Text

It is PROBABLY possible to cut down the Trumpeter flatbed trailer (I am sure Gino can offer an opinion on that one since I believe he has the kit in hand) to make, what I consider to be, (IMHO) the much more interesting open frame 20' container transport trailer.



Yes, the M872 '40 trailer can also be shortened by cutting it down from the kingpin end and moving the forward wall back. You would also have to remove the front set of wheels/axle since the M872 has 3 sets of wheels/axles.

The shorter trailer is the '30 foot M871.



Aditionally, if you are talking about the below DMTC trailer (can't view your pics at work, damn firewall), there is an option.


Esci made a 1/32 container and trailer that pops up on eBay often.



I used it mated to an M932A2 5-ton tractor. It is close enough in scale and pretty well detailed. With some TLC it can come out looking great.



The Trumpeter M872 frame could also probably be cut down and used as the open-frame style above.
165thspc
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2019 - 12:32 AM UTC
All this leaves me with two questions:

#1. Does the military employ these skeleton frame trailers and what is their designation?
(Gino I really liked your photos of that 20' container trailer posed with the heavy military tractor!)

#2. As to the 20' trailers, why are some built in a very short 20' format** (no longer than the actual container) and others seem to be more like 28' long with an extended tongue reaching out over the tractor fifth wheel? (I assume the really short ones are for local delivery giving better maneuverability in tight quarters???????)


** Perhaps I am mistaken as to the existence of the really short 20' open frame container trailers as I cannot find any photos of such. However I feel sure I have seen them in real life.
Removed by original poster on 08/30/19 - 12:47:33 (GMT).
165thspc
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2019 - 12:45 AM UTC
This sidebar discussion on the skeleton frame container trailers is a bit far afield from the main topic of refrigerated containers . . . .

But I LIKE it, I like it !*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!
HeavyArty
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2019 - 01:01 AM UTC
I am assuming the military used the '20 container cahssis. I can't find any pics of them being pulled by militray tractors, but there are a few sites that show surplus military chassis for sale. They must have been used as some time.



One sold at Gov Surplus Auction at Ft Campbell, KY w/single rear axle listes a 1969 model.
Frenchy
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2019 - 01:10 AM UTC
The German Army uses similar trailers (made by Schmitz Cargobull)



In US service (according to Trident ) :






H.P.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2019 - 01:35 AM UTC
Found an Army TM for a '20 container chassis from 2001.

TM 9-2330-328-14&P



My conclusion is that yes, the '20 container chassis was most likely used by the US military, but during the '70s and '80s. This would place them before most of the modern trailers and PLS/LHS container handling systems came into being. This would also place them before digital photography and that is most likely why we can't find any pics of them in use. Also, it is not the most exciting subject to photograph.