1:32 Bailey Drop Deck Low Loader Model Kit

Step One: Part Preparation

Remove all parts from the sprue. Carefully peel off the plastic backing from each part and sand them smooth. To remove parts from the sprue, gently apply pressure to the sprue attachment points with a craft knife until the part detaches. Peeling the plastic backing is best achieved by nicking a corner with a craft knife and then peeling. This preparation improves the adhesion of glue and paint.

Diagram Description: Shows parts attached to a plastic sprue, a craft knife being used to detach a part, and a piece of plastic backing being peeled away.

Step Two: Attach Front Panel

Start by gluing the front panel (part 4) to the front of the floor piece (part 1). Ensure the slots align correctly and the parts are oriented the right way up.

Diagram Description: Shows the front panel (part 4) being glued to the front edge of the floor piece (part 1), with alignment of slots indicated.

Step Three: Attach Side Panels

Add the two side panels (part 3) to the floor piece. The shorter space between the slots should be positioned at the front of the trailer.

Diagram Description: Shows the two side panels (part 3) being attached to the sides of the floor piece (part 1), with emphasis on the spacing between slots.

Step Four: Assemble Tow Beam

Assemble the tow beam. Glue the two identical pieces (part 2) back-to-back. Then, add the tow eye (part 14) to the top of the sloped end as pictured.

Diagram Description: Shows two identical tow beam pieces (part 2) being glued together back-to-back, and the tow eye (part 14) being attached to the sloped end.

Step Five: Attach Tow Beam

Glue the assembled tow beam into the slot at the front of the trailer. The sloped end should be at the bottom of the trailer, and the beam should be flush with the top surface.

Diagram Description: Shows the assembled tow beam being inserted into a slot at the front of the trailer base, indicating its orientation.

Step Six: Attach Main Pivots

Glue the main pivots (part 9) to the back of the trailer as illustrated. Each pivot should sit in its allocated slot at the back, with the hole positioned at the top of the deck and the overlap at the bottom.

Diagram Description: Shows the main pivots (part 9) being glued to the rear of the trailer chassis, illustrating their position and orientation.

Step Seven: Assemble Rear Chassis

The rear chassis assembly begins by gluing part 10 on top of part 5. Ensure the axle hole lines up and that the two parts are parallel. Repeat this process for the other side, making sure to glue the opposite part the other way around.

Diagram Description: Shows the rear chassis components (part 10) being glued onto the base piece (part 5), highlighting alignment of axle holes and parallelism.

Step Eight: Join Chassis Assemblies

Glue the two rear chassis assemblies together using part 12, which is positioned in the slots on part 10. Check that the front pivot aligns with the pivots on the main bed of the trailer and adjust if necessary.

Diagram Description: Shows the two rear chassis assemblies being joined together using part 12, which fits into slots on part 10. It also shows alignment with the main bed pivots.

Step Nine: Attach First Frame Panel

Glue the first frame panel (part 6) to the front of the trailer frame. Ensure the panel is glued centrally on the frame; using a pencil to draw a centre line can help with alignment. (Note: Your slots may appear different from the photo; this is normal.)

Diagram Description: Shows the first frame panel (part 6) being glued centrally to the front of the trailer frame.

Step Ten: Add Remaining Panels

Add the second panel (part 7) on an angle, and finish by attaching the top panel (part 8). You may wish to glue the two wheel chocks onto panel 7 at this stage, or you can paint them separately and attach them later.

Diagram Description: Shows the second angled panel (part 7) and the top panel (part 8) being added to the trailer frame. It also indicates where wheel chocks can be attached.

Step Eleven: Attach Light Brackets

Add the rear light brackets (part 13) to the rear corners of the top panel (part 8).

Diagram Description: Shows the rear light brackets (part 13) being attached to the rear corners of the top panel (part 8).

Step Twelve: Attach Toolbox

Glue the toolbox (part 15) to the back of the trailer frame as pictured.

Diagram Description: Shows the toolbox (part 15) being glued to the rear of the trailer frame.

Step Thirteen: Apply Checker Plate

Glue the checker plate sheet to the top surface of the trailer bed. Trim as required to fit the area precisely.

Diagram Description: Shows the checker plate sheet being applied to the top surface of the trailer bed, indicating it should be trimmed as needed.

Step Fourteen: Test Lifting Mechanism

Test fit the lifting mechanism. Slide the wire rod through the pin holes and captivate the two hydraulic cylinders (part 11). The trailer bed should lock out with the top of panel 8 level with the bed. If not, use the small plastic strip provided to space out the back of the cylinder, lifting the mechanism higher. Lifting the cylinders using the built-in handles will allow the mechanism to drop. This step can be fiddly; if the cylinder sticks on the top of the slot, allow the cylinders to hinge down slightly.

Diagram Description: Illustrates testing the trailer bed lifting mechanism, showing the wire threaded through pin holes and the hydraulic cylinders (part 11) in place. It details how the bed locks out and how to adjust spacing if needed.

Painting and Finishing

Everything is now ready for paint.

Step Fifteen: Painting

The model is now ready for paint. Aerosol spray paints are recommended, but the model can also be brush-painted or airbrushed.

Recommended Paints:

• Halfords Grey Plastic Acrylic Primer: Provides a good base for paint adhesion, preventing flaking. These cans are readily available and easy to use.
• RAL6002 Green Spray Paint: Available from local car body supply shops or online. This is a good match for modern Bailey green. For an older look, try RAL6005. Alternatively, Ford Laurel Green from Halfords offers a cheaper but effective option.
• Aluminium Effect Spray Paint: Used for painting the wheels and chocks. Hycote Aluminium Effect Aerosol was used, but any silver paint is suitable.

Allow sufficient time between coats and ensure all paint is fully dry before final assembly.

Step Sixteen: Apply Details and Decals

Hand paint any additional details such as the toolbox, cylinders, or lights. Decals are also provided for the lights. Add decals as desired by cutting them out with scissors, peeling off the backing paper, and sticking them down in the desired locations.

Diagram Description: Shows examples of decals being applied to the model, such as for lights.

Step Seventeen: Mount Hydraulic Cylinders

Cut the wire rod to make pins. Bend one end over using pliers. Start by mounting the hydraulic cylinders into their pivots. Use a short pin, slot it through, and carefully bend the other end over to lock it in place. Be gentle to avoid snapping the plastic.

Diagram Description: Illustrates cutting wire to create pins, bending one end, and mounting the hydraulic cylinders into their pivots using short pins.

Step Eighteen: Final Assembly

Slot the longer pin through the lower pivots and the rear frame to connect the two. Again, lock this in place by gently bending the end over. Finally, thread the steel axle through the rear holes, push the wheels onto the axle, and use the black straw spacer, cut to the correct length, to position the wheels correctly.

Diagram Description: Shows the assembly of the rear axle, wheels, and the use of a straw spacer to connect the rear frame and pivots with a longer pin.

Step Nineteen: Completion

Sit back and enjoy the model that you have built!

Further reference photos are available to aid construction/assembly.

Further Information

Enjoy the build? There are plenty more kits available from Braemere Models at www.BraemereModels.co.uk.

If you encounter any issues or problems, please get in touch with your point of purchase, and they will do their best to resolve any issues.