54 replies to this topic

[Kostas Parchas]

Hi Kostas, I think that would be a good idea, since some box trailers have some sort of stiffening moldings along the sides of the van. So that would help conceal the cut lines in the body. As for the back doors, I think it wouldn't be so bad either, since they're pretty smooth. Some putty would cure the cut lines. I would have to be careful to cut at the right place to get the door hinges and pins aligned. To have 2 trailers to work with would give me two other axles and sets of wheels. 3 axles on a 53 foot van is realistic enough and look pretty sharp. I'll have to investigate my own unbuilt american van to determine what I'd need to do for that extension. I'll have to look at what tools I need for a long straight cut to get a constant width for the height and length extensions from the second van. I'm a bit concerned for the vertical joints for the 5 foot length extension. We need a plan Kostas! Hahahaha

Another thing, the van sides are corrugated, so we need similar panels to extend the sides. Either that or make new smooth panels at the right length from .040 evergreen styrene. A 53 foot van is 26.5 inches long, I think we'll need two lengths of evergreen for the sides, just like the kit is configured. I'll have to think this out...

Robert,

It would be very easy to convert the van from what it is to an acurate 48ft by adding in heigh by using the side walls from the second kit. This will not require special plans. I think that it would be very dificult to extent the side walls and at the same time add in height. This might need a third kit.
The acurate 48ft trailer is a good deal cause you can use just 2 Italeri kits and end up with 2 builds, 48ft van/reefer and 48ft grain trailer.
Think about it....

Kostas.

[Zhu]

Drop dead gorgeous. Can.t see a single thing I don't like.

We had a VN & flat deck delivering the fertilizer on the Estate back in the spring. I wish I'd had my camera with me, I could have crawled all over it taking pic's.

When I got home & told Mary (my wife) she said;
"Did you have your cell phone with you?"
"Yep" came my reply,
"Then you had a camera didn't you, you dipstick !!"
"DOH!!!"

[BigBad]

Drop dead gorgeous. Can.t see a single thing I don't like.

We had a VN & flat deck delivering the fertilizer on the Estate back in the spring. I wish I'd had my camera with me, I could have crawled all over it taking pic's.

When I got home & told Mary (my wife) she said;
"Did you have your cell phone with you?"
"Yep" came my reply,
"Then you had a camera didn't you, you dipstick !!"
"DOH!!!"

Thanks Davey, with these comments, even I am starting to like it more! Stay tuned for more scaled details...

Edited by Z06Bob, 01 August 2011 - 02:52 PM.

[BigBad]

Robert,

It would be very easy to convert the van from what it is to an acurate 48ft by adding in heigh by using the side walls from the second kit. This will not require special plans. I think that it would be very dificult to extent the side walls and at the same time add in height. This might need a third kit.
The acurate 48ft trailer is a good deal cause you can use just 2 Italeri kits and end up with 2 builds, 48ft van/reefer and 48ft grain trailer.
Think about it....

Kostas.

I think that's the best idea so far. It's simple enough and I won't have to buy three trailers at 60$ a pop to end up with only one build up. Thanks Kostas.

[loghauler70]

I like it you did a great job

Mark

[bsoder]

Beautiful rig man!.. I like the look of the Volvo tractors, maybe I'll build one someday

[BigBad]

Beautiful rig man!.. I like the look of the Volvo tractors, maybe I'll build one someday

Thanks Brian! You are right, these truck are nice. The first time I saw one, I was amazed at how modern these looked, especially compared to what they replaced. I have to say the Kenworth T2000 was there first but I think Volvo brings good futuristic looks to Aero trucks. But that's a matter of opinion. I like most class 8 trucks anyway.
I see you're into muscle cars and dioramas, great job on the garage with the orange 69 Z28 and Boss Mustang!

[bsoder]

Thanks Bob!...I like to think of myself as a little diverse in model building

[69A-CAR]

I'm late to the party! Beautiful build Bob, do I follow this right, there is no engine in that kit?? That is ridiculous!

Mark

[Old Albion]

Very Nice indeed! I like it.

Dave

[BigBad]

Hey, I added some details to finish up this Volvo. In front, the fog-driving lights in the bumper, the revell VN670 didn't have them, unlike the VN 780, so I cut the bumper, scratch built the lights with transparent tree material for the lenses, some evergreen flat .040 stock and some flat transparent .060 Plastruct. I added the aerials on the mirrors, again with Plastruct .020 polystyrene wire with K&S 1/16 tube for the base.

In the back of the cab, it was a desolated desert so I added some electricals for the trailer along with the hangers. All scratch built from K&S aluminum rod with Plastruct .010 thick stock for the bolt flanges. Some 1/16 tube for the "slide bar" with steel wire to hold the trailer wires and hose. The GPS aerial was made of a trailer landing wheel and glue accumulated at the top to make the dome shape. Some Plastruct channel for the support and .010 thick stock for the support sides. Two cargo hold stoppers were added with the rack and support. These were made from K&S aluminum rods and tubes with styrene hardware for the end pads, rack and handles.
Now it looks better.

Starting to like this scratch building thing!
More pictures of the back of the cab with the next reply.

Edited by Z06Bob, 05 September 2011 - 09:50 AM.

[BigBad]

[attachment=12520:mcm volvo rear 1.JPG][attachment=12521:mcm volvo rear 2.JPG][attachment=12522:mcm volvo rear 3.JPG][attachment=12523:mcm volvo side 1.JPG]

Ok, I'm getting the hang of it... Next time it'll be better, sorry for the mess...

Edited by Z06Bob, 05 September 2011 - 09:48 AM.

[cowboysevens]

very very nice!!!

[Semi Trailer Mechanic]

Nice truck!!! You can always just leave it as a tractor if you can't settle on a trailer and move on to the next project. I like the hose tender you made and the load locks as well!!!

Edited by Semi Trailer Mechanic, 05 September 2011 - 11:59 AM.

[scale trucker]

i love the volvo that thing is really sweet..whats under the hood.??

[BigBad]

i love the volvo that thing is really sweet..whats under the hood.??

Gordon, what can I say? This thing is a gutless wonder! Really, it is. These Volvo kits were originally made by Italeri and then shared with Revell. But they were conceived as "curbside" models, without any engine or transmission. That is the main thing that disapointed me, still does. But, since there is so many real ones rolling around on the road and is one of the rare modern trucks being reproduced, I decided to build one anyway and ended up with a not too bad looking replica. It would be nice if somebody would reissue this kit with all the mechanicals just like all the other kits.
I do promise the next truck I build WILL have an engine and transmission! It's either that Peterbilt 359 with an 8V92 or Freightliner FLD or Kenworth W900 with a 12V71... Hmmmm, Aero or Classic? Thanks for the compliments!

[scale trucker]

sweet make sure you post it....

[Kostas Parchas]

FANTASTIC DETAILS,

Kostas.

[chuckyr]

I'm not sure if Roberts runs reefers, but the Great Dane would look good with this model.

[Sticks]

Nice build mate, looking good