Plans

[russlong]

Today i received three sets of plans in the mail.
Concord Coach-Criss Cross
Conastoga-Criss Cross
Prairie Schooner-John Thompson

Got all three off e-bay for under10 bucks. Ive seen the conastoga in the model gallery looks very nice but not too sure about the coach plans.
I had JT plans enlarged 150% to 1/8.
Any opinions on Criss Cross ?
I noticed on JT plans that the schooner seat was added by hollywood. Idid not know that. Would have made for a long trip.

[Bill Hudson]

Originally Posted by russlong

Today i received three sets of plans in the mail.
Concord Coach-Criss Cross
Conastoga-Criss Cross
Prairie Schooner-John Thompson

Got all three off e-bay for under10 bucks. Ive seen the conastoga in the model gallery looks very nice but not too sure about the coach plans.
I had JT plans enlarged 150% to 1/8.
Any opinions on Criss Cross ?
I noticed on JT plans that the schooner seat was added by hollywood. Idid not know that. Would have made for a long trip.

Hollywood has taken a lot of latitude with history. The prairie schooner was basically as smaller version of the old Conestoga. The purpose of the wagons were to carry all of your possessions and supplies to the new frontier. Adding the weight of a person or two was an added burden to your oxen or horses. Every one except the smallest of children walked. Hollywood also has the wagons pulled by horses when in reality most were pulled by oxen. The oxen being regular beef stock. The purpose of the oxen is that you would have a breeding and milk producing stock when settled down. The daily distance traveled was usually in the ten to fifteen mile range. Maybe on good flat land twenty to twenty five at the best. In later years after the trails were more established with small town and communities, lighter wagons with horse teams were used.