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I give a massive dose of recognition and credit to TFM for modeling this car and trailer. Some may suggest that it was based on our Limited Edition Club Car (LECC-VII) and they’d be right. But it is a ’36 Ford instead of the ’39 model, and the color combo is wholly different. Add some camping supplies and keep the cost low and I applaud FM for giving us yet one more alternative and a varied color choice. And bravo to them for staying true to the great detail work they already built into the lovely ’36 DeLuxe diecast. No doubt about it, this color combination is head and shoulders over all of the previous ’36 Fords they have issued to date.
Adding the trailer and equipment grants the owner many ways to display this little gem. If you wish, you may make a diorama out of the system. Attaching the trailer and posing the camping gear around the vehicles conjures up all sorts of scenes that you will enjoy. The whole configuration works well within a standard 1:18th scale display case. It becomes a ready-made diorama in itself.
FM has great detail on this model in the form of photo-etch wipers, functioning suspension, perfect fit and alignment of the externally hinged doors, opening rumble seat and folding hood halves. The engine displays well with all today’s good attention to plumbing and wiring. The body is gorgeous in the two-toned grey center with dark blue paint below and above it. A thin red pinstripe separates the top body color from the grey and the wide whites add a measure of contrast. With your choice of ‘up top’ or ‘down boot’ you have differing views. The full top has a beautiful red border adding to the contrasting shades and the boot in place lends a good view to the interior work.
You will find good dash, floor and door panel detailing. The window cranks and door handles are nicely scaled and the wiper control on the inside windshield header are nicely carried out. The seats and rumble seat have good ‘feel’ and even the chassis view is loaded with detail niceties. But it’s the trailer that may steal the show and your detail-loving heart. TFM builds a nice wood veneer floor into the trailer. It opens from above and has a dual prop rod hold-up affair that looks real and really works. The rear tail gate folds down and is held by two miniature chains. Also supplied with the Ford is a tool chest, a fishing tackle box, two bed roll tarps, a genuine leather strapped picnic basket complete with wine bottle and a lantern.
Yes, due credit and high marks go to Franklin for the thorough carry-through on this one. If you weren’t able to obtain the LECC-VII, this is a good alternative. And if you were able to get one, this makes an even greater addition to the fleet. Take one camping, take the other to work. You decide which is which and feel free to mix and match supplies. In this little miniature world, almost anything goes!
(03/07/2008)
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