The
56303
Fuel Tank Trailer was the second 1/14th trailer ever released by Tamiya and
came out in 1994 with a Shell logo on the side. It was in
production until 2012 when it was replaced with the unlicensed
56333
"Gallant Eagle" version of the same trailer. This is a large and
lovely polished metal tube attached to huge frame rails on top of tandem
dually
axles. Almost everything is metal. The inside of the main
tube is completely empty apart from any wires you might install for
lights. There isn't really any access to the interior without
removing screws, so it is not designed to haul anything. This is a
really beautiful trailer if you can manage to keep your fingerprints
off of it.
This is the first trailer I ever got and was intended to be used with my
King Hauler
behind which it looks fantastic. I added the motorized support
legs and the trailer lights to work with the MFC in the King
Hauler. The build was quite straightforward after having built a
tractor truck. The rear axles are similar except they have no
differentials or gears. The assembly of the motorized support legs
was probably more work than the trailer itself.
Update: This model was destroyed in the 2022 fire.
I replaced this model along with the King Hauler as soon as I could
with an identical kit. I built it just the same as before except
that instead of using the Tamiya wired trailer lights, I used the OB1
Bluetooth module which now allows me to fully connect and operate the
trailer legs and lights without ever touching the model. I'd had
this module sitting around for years without ever getting around to
installing it. This turned out to be fortuitous because it escaped
being destroyed in the fire with the rest of the model and by the time I
was rebuilding it was no longer available. The module has way
more capability than just controlling brake lights and turn signals, but
those are the only features I am currently using.
The 56303
Fuel Tank Trailer was the second 1/14th trailer ever released by Tamiya and
came out in 1994 with a Shell logo on the side. It was in
production until 2012 when it was replaced with the unlicensed 56333
"Gallant Eagle" version of the same trailer. This is a large and
lovely polished metal tube attached to huge frame rails on top of tandem
dually
axles. Almost everything is metal. The inside of the main
tube is completely empty apart from any wires you might install for
lights. There isn't really any access to the interior without
removing screws, so it is not designed to haul anything. This is a
really beautiful trailer if you can manage to keep your fingerprints
off of it.
