There is this neat art deco vintage travel trailer in the background of the shot when the woman goes to pump the gas for the P-40.

I wasn't going to include it in the diorama, but I had some dead space to fill on the right side of the diorama. I thought, well maybe if I can find some info on the internet, (What did we do before the internet?), I'd build the travel trailer. It turns out it is a 1947 Aero Flite Falcon Travel Trailer. I found dimensions, patent drawings and photos of restored campers online, enough info for me to do some CAD drawings and laser cut the parts. It is not true for the year 1941, but it was in the movie, so I'll include it.

The camper has louvers on the front that I made using my technique of alternating long .020" x .020" strip styrene with .020" x .060" short spacers. I do something similar for inside the landing gear wells on aircraft models. I also laser cut some blinds for the windows.



I used quarter round and half round styrene strips for the rain deflectors over the windows/door and the stiffeners on the side of the camper.

I'm surprised how quickly the travel trailer is coming together, having no info 2 days ago to what I have built so far today. I might get it done for the deadline.

P.S. There is a 1/43 scale Aero Flite Travel Trailer made by NEO, but it is rare and expensive at over $100, some over $200, so that and the reason that I enjoy scratch building, is why I'm going my way.

Thanks Tom. My friend and I have a joke, I wanted to be a Miniature DP, doing Practical Effects like the ones in 1941 and he pictured Mini Me. I worked with a company that had a motion control camera doing miniatures, sets and special effects rigging. CGI killed the industry.

This travel trailer is simply amazing... It went from a thought to this in practically no time at all. I also like how you included a little history into the trailer as well. There's just something special about polished metal...be it on an airplane, a car or anything for that matter.

I remember seeing pictures of the Greyhound and Trailways passenger busses from this era, and they were also works of art, just as your Aero Flight trailer is.

Keep it up my friend.

The Aero Flite Travel Trailer is ready for the paint shop for masking, primer and paint! I added the trailer tongue, frame and propane tank cover to the front and made the rear bumper, which was a modification from the original trailer. I found an a/c nose wheel from the spare parts box. I drilled out for the brake and side lights.

The frames around the front and rear windows will be painted separately and applied later.

Thanks David. I got the Model Master Metalizer non buffing aluminum paint sprayed today. Tomorrow the red decal trim is applied. I have some clear red sprue for the tail lights. And finally the frames for the front and back windows go on.

Louis, @lgardner I did it "Old School" for years with an X-acto and ruler. I graduated to a scroll saw, band saw and belt sander. The laser cutter, although expensive, allows me to do so much more. Of course, I had to learn CAD. Maybe one day I'll get a 3-in-one like these https://all3dp.com/1/all-in-one-laser-3d-printer-scanner-cutter-engraver-cnc/ . CNC router, 3D printer and laser cutter in one.

I'll echo David (a trailer at the Mojave Air Races in 1976, also a tale for another time). Getting excited about a trailer might sound funny, but a trailer like this... wow!

Just truly excellent, superb work, Michael. Can't be beat.