bitner Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) This is my latest project, the old AMT gas turbine powered GMC Astro. I've found a small amount of reference on it, and have incorporated it into the kit. I lengthened the frame, and added an Astro-Glide suspension to it from parts as per the prototype. I love that gas turbine engine. I have a couple more of these kits and I'm probably going to have my dad cast a few of the turbines up so I can build a couple of the White Freightliner cabover turbines when the kit is reissued later this year. Edited March 30, 2009 by bitner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trick my mixer Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Thanks for sharing this project. First time I have ever gotten to see the turbine engine up close. I just finished building the reissue of the GMC ASTRO. It comes with the a detroit in it. I can see the old AMT instruction sheet in the back ground, sure wish all the reissues had the old style instruction sheets. They were very clear and there was no second guessing where the parts went. Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Lookin good so far! Nice work on that rear suspension. This truck is on my "need to build some day" list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinac359 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 As Ben said, it is on my build list too. Nice work so far. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC Auto Industry Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Nice job so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitner Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 Here are a few more pics of the truck in progress. I have the base coat of white on the frame, but no detail painting done. Also the engine is painted, but still has a little work needed before installation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinac359 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Coming along nicely! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Just a suggestion if it's not too late. The front, five spoke wheels from an ERTL kit (S Series, 4200 conventional, 4070A cabover,etc would be more accurate for this build if you have a pair laying around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitner Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Here's the latest pics. I have the turbine installed in the frame, and have the cab almost completely painted. It was fun masking off those stripes, thank god for Tamiya masking tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Albion Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Bill, This is a great looking project. I love those stripes on the cab. Wish I could paint like that. Is the paint scheme as the prototype? I have never seen the turbine engine in its built form so this is completely new to me. Yes! Very interesting project. Look forward to the finished photo's. Good Luck Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitner Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 Hi Dave: The paint scheme is the prototype one. Surprisingly, AMT had it done right on the box art for the cab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Man, that is some nice paint work!!!!!!!!!!! Can I send you my cab to paint? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Albion Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Ben, I was just thinking the same!!! This has just gone on my "To Build List Also". Best Wishes Dave Bates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jairus Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Excellent project! Always wondered why Trucks didn't adopt the gas turbine engine as a base powerplant? Seems so logical since most of them spend their lives at cruising speed and the fact that they can run on Kerosene. The cheapest fuel source known to man! (Or so I heard somewhere....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Part of the problem with a gas turbine, is the horrendous fuel mileage. Turbines are notoriously thirsty engines, no matter what their size. Also, no matter what speed the truck is runnng at (from ideling to 75mph), the turbine is sucking the same amount of fuel because in order for it to operate properly the turbine has to run at high rpm. The weight savings of the turbine vs. the diesel won't make up for the fuel costs. Even in the long run. Take a look at the M1A1 tank currently fielded by the U.S. Army. It has a turbine in it, and it has power to spare; but it gets about 6 gallons per mile. Yes, gallons per mile, not miles per gallon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitner Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Here is the finished truck. I love the paint scheme they chose for this truck. I used the 30+ year old kit decals on it after cutting them to match the prototype more closely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Wow!!!!!!! It really turned out nice!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Albion Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I agree what a superb looking truck!! Very impressive. Best Wishes Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpreadAxle Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Great attention to detail with the suspension and the small grille added above the main grille. Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC Auto Industry Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 WOW! Excellent work! Looks like you followed the directions in that blog post right down to a T! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scummy Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 G,day , theres something about these old AMT truck kits that make an older modeller warm inside . Very good job mate . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hessel Hemstra Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 I'm looking for this Turbine kit for quite a while. To buy it in the US gives me a big amount of postage for sending it to Europe. Add the cost of the kit and you can imagine my "problem". Over here the kit is very rare and hard to find, and when found it is even more expensive. This build looks very nice. Keep on doing the good (modeling) work Hessel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Kucaba Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 "Over here the kit is very rare and hard to find, and when found it is even more expensive." The kit is very rare over here too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinac359 Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 How'd I miss the finished pics? You nailed it! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaronw Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Very nice, I think this is the first time I've seen this kit built with the turbine engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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