PettyKW43

Hey Kerry , just a suggestion, since you’re looking at a Kenworth like your buddies rig take the the T600 cab and sleeper and mate it to the resin hood W900B that you have in your stash and then you really have a unique build! Not that it isn’t already! Love this one !

Coming along really good!

It’s been a long wait for the Bandag Bandit and the Hideout but glad for both ! I hope since Round 2 added new pad printed tires that they put Martin Carver on the Bandit tires since he was the driver when the truck set its records. Both he and Tyrone Malone had their names on the tires on the truck at one point. In the future I could see Round2 putting Coke markings on these kits for another run of the tooling . Heck do both Pepsi and Coke ! Or even Snake and Mongoose!

Back in the mid 80’s Kenworth introduced the T600 to not so favourable reception. But after awhile it grew on people and I think the new Peterbilt will grow on people as will the W990 Kenworth. I am definitely one of those who think the older trucks are hands down better looking but in time these will grow on me!

Looking at your project just jump started my Road Train! Looks great Kerry , let us both get er done!

It’s a nice attempt but definitely needs a lot more refinement to even think about doing a resin casting.

I have to agree with many of the comments here. It’s tough not only for the parts designers and producers but also as a builder . Price point is a big issue as well as accurate parts , which unfortunately is also a huge problem!. Tough to pay huge money for ( I’ll use the Kenworth torsion bar suspension as an example ) for a component that is only marginally accurate. For me to pay a high price it has to be dead on accurate or why bother . I would rather spend the money on a new kit or materials and make my own parts, although I realize not everyone can . Plus not everyone likes working with resin. But in the end there is no better time to be a truck modeler than right now!

The front axel on these kits are actually not too wide , it’s the engineering of the drums and backing plates that are the problem, and require that you thin out the components ( including the wheels from the spindle side ) . Then they will fit under the cab. But prototypically they did stick out slightly on the the standard cab.

Using heat is the best way to correct warped rails or any warpage problems . Hot water is by far the safest method but I do use a heat gun ( with extreme care and caution) on some really bad stuff . I also work on a tempered glass top on my workbench as a surface plate . Stubborn rails I use a fixture to clamp them square as DrKerry mentioned above!

This is nothing short of a masterpiece! I agree there is no resin bodies that do this truck justice, well done!

It’s great seeing old glue bombs being given a second chance ! What better way or should I say fun way to recycle! Looking great!

COOL !

Looks great! On my to build list of 743 trucks?

This a direct reissue of the AMT T533 Peterbilt Wrecker from 1975 . The wrecker body is the same from the original T522 Kit. The decals that are included are an update! So if one wants to duplicate the original box art it will not be difficult! Lots of the reissue of the original T500-500 kit are out there, and Modeltruckin’ has a repo of the original sheet! Glad to have this back in any variation, no longer having to purchase overpriced kits!

If you look close at the proposed kit box art this will be the 1100 series cab version of the wrecker. Some creative artwork has transposed the original Unilite cab art to the later 1100 cab . That’s ok , nice to now get the newer kit again ! And if one wants to recreate the original wrecker the older Unilite kit can still be found easily.

Now this is fun! Looking forward to seeing more!

Nice build on the turbine! I bought a factory sealed kit awhile back and have been debating on how to build it ! An original AMT box art build is tempting but I would also like to do the the actual prototype build of the real truck. As done on the box art I will have to do two trucks and I have only one kit so far!

Force is right, the two kits are totally different, the K&K Kit was basically a warmed over Street kit and the the Brooks kit was part of the generic NASCAR series , but the Brooks kit t had a fairly accurate body!

Haven’t had time to check on all the projects that I have been following but this build is continuously impressing me! I am going to use it as blueprint to build a similar truck , will be doing a low cab forward auto transport hauler!

Glad this is making a return ! And since they have made a dump truck and a tow truck in the reissue dept , it’s time for a Mixer with a Kenworth under it!

You are building a masterpiece Freightliner!

The Kenworth Torsion Bar suspension was available from ‘56 through to ‘76 at least , probably a few went out after but in teams of what I have in literature as available. It did change a lot during its production run , predominantly in how the bars were mounted! Most of the Kenworth model trucks still available would have had the torsion bar suspension as an available option. It was a Kenworth only deal although it is possible that someone could have mounted it on a glider kit from another truck manufacturer, so technically you could build a truck model other than a Kenworth with it but it would not have been a common thing to see in real life.

The conversion hood from Gary depicts the second configuration of the RL-RS hood . The first was near identical with the difference being the grille ( had a two piece deal). Both the first and second style shared the fender configuration of the R700 . The third style is where both cab sat higher and the fenders and hood were taller to better accommodate the larger engines and accompanying radiators, plus the rear bottom fender extensions. That how you can spot the difference in the movie Convoy between the first unit 1977 truck and the second and third unit 1973 trucks. Looking forward to seeing your build as it move along.

One of my favourite builds on this forum to date , fabulous job!

Most certainly Round2 will have a hit on their hands with this one ! I owned a 77 Macho PowerWagon so this is huge for me ! The missing 4x4 parts are of no consequence since the original MPC stuff was not correct at all . Be nice if they tooled up fresh parts for it , definitely it will sell! Many varieties of this truck can be done , thanks Round2