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Though most of us are familiar with the airflow-style milk trucks of the ‘50s, they were primarily used for house-to-house delivery. Step van type trucks were most often used for larger market and deli deliveries. Spartan and rugged, they didn’t have much in the way of comfort for the driver, but definitely got the job done.
The Fairfield Mint (FFM) has put out an inexpensive ($39.99), but nice 1:24 scale image of a 1950 Ford, step van type, milk truck. In this case the fictitious Sunnydale Dairy Farms owns it. Keeping to the period, the phone number starts with two letters and a number—KL5—which is a nice, period touch. The image is solid, with much die cast metal in it. The two bi-fold front doors slide open revealing the bare bones interior. There’s nothing spectacular about the dash, pedal, and steering wheel details and the sliding doors that give access to the rear cargo area don’t open. But the engine cover lifts to reveal a wired, Ford-blue, six-cylinder engine and the driver’s seat back folds down. The exterior details are generally nicely done, with plenty of separate chromed parts, including the wipers, and plastic lenses. The undercarriage detailing is good, with working suspensions at all four corners, but a boxy, plastic section, that I’ll explain soon, interrupts the driveshaft. All the windows have clear plastic in them. When you open the rear doors to look at the nicely detailed interior, a little light comes on! And the extras don’t end there. You’ll find a hand truck, stack of milk crates, and a small, 12-bottle tray of milk bottles. [Awhile back, I bought and painted a 1:24 scale, resin figurine of a milkman, which looks good next to this image, especially with the extra props.] Considering the relatively low price, I’m impressed with the array of features supplied—an above-average image for a below-average price.
For those of us who grew up during the “Beaver Cleaver” days of the ‘50s, this image will evoke a pang of nostalgia. It was a time when you had to bring your own pizza home but when milkmen—and doctors—still made house calls.
(09/15/2004)
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