Kit: No. 2457
Scale: 1/24
Manufacturer: Monogram, 8601 Waukegan Road, Morton Grove, IL 60053-2295, 708-966-3500
Price: $13.50
Comments: Injection molded, 132 parts (5 vinyl), decals.
FOR THE 1950 model year, Ford introduced the F-1 pickup, also known as the "bonus-built" truck. The cab design was the first major restyling since 1938 and included a new one-piece windshield and chrome grille and accents. The truck was powered by a flathead V-8, cutting edge for a small truck at the time.
Monogram's pickup is molded in styrene (light aqua, chromed, and clear) and has black vinyl tires. Wide whitewalls are white plastic inserts. The moldings are clean and provide a detailed engine with separate accessories, and the chassis has individual springs and shocks. The pickup bed has wood grain and bolt heads molded on both sides, so you'll see detail when you flip the truck over.
Assembly is straightforward and most parts fit precisely. Be sure to cement the fire wall to the body (step 4B) before adding the interior. This isn't clear in the instructions and serious fit problems can occur. Does that sound like experience talking?
The front body (part No. 6) doesn't mate cleanly to the body and you'll have to file the mating edges to improve the fit. There should be a seam, but no gaps.
Monogram's instructions are easy to follow. I like the list of Ford colors, but how can I match "palisade green" to a modeling paint? One way around the color conundrum is to make use of the kit's "Ned's Auto Salvage" decals and apply them to a primer-gray truck with a little dirty weathering. That's what I did, and the model looks the part.
Monogram's '50 Ford is a fine model, and fun to build. I put seven hours into the project. It's not an entry-level kit, but with experience you should have little trouble putting it together.
Lee Vande Visse