Looking for detail tips

[Nick Winter]

Looking for some detailing tips, this is my first Heavy truck kit, only done medium and light duty before this.

[Jim B]

Well, what would you like to know? There are a lot of guys here that can help, but we need a little more information first. For starters, what kit is it: AMT, Revell of Germany, or Revell USA? Do you want to detail the engine? Plumb the air lines? Do you want cab painting/detail ideas?

Just let us know. We'll help in any way we can.

[Nick Winter]

Well, what would you like to know? There are a lot of guys here that can help, but we need a little more information first. For starters, what kit is it: AMT, Revell of Germany, or Revell USA? Do you want to detail the engine? Plumb the air lines? Do you want cab painting/detail ideas?

Just let us know. We'll help in any way we can.

It's the new aerodyne, I've converted it to a regualr sleeper, and I'm building this truck, to go with my Bandit Trans am, I'll be building the trailer too, if AMT hurry's up and releases it,

I could use more reference also.

[Jim B]

Finding information on Snowman's truck is like close to impossible, and what you do find is usually contradictory. You might want to check this thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=26409&st=0&p=248971&#entry248971 Ben did an amazing job on his Snowman rig.

What we do know is that were at least (3) trucks used for the movie: a 1973 and (2) 1974s. The 1973 is the one with the gold grill emblem commorating Kenworth's 50th Annivarsary. At least one was had a tandem torsion bar suspension. (If I ever get off my butt and send the parts to Porkey you'll be able to get a resin conversion for the suspension.) And the trucks were Coffee Brown wth Gold. You should be able to get the decals here: http://modeltruckin.com/store/ once Jerry reopens the store.

The kit you picked has a Caterpillar 3406 engine in it, but I think the actual trucks had Cummins. I'm not totally sure on this. If you want to use the Cat, it should be white with a semi-gloss black transmission.

Here is a site that has lots of Car Modeler & Model Cars articles on detailing trucks. They're pretty good.

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/model_magazine_articles/car_modeller/

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/model_magazine_articles/modelcars/

Edited February 4, 2010 by Jim B

[Nick Winter]

Finding information on Snowman's truck is like close to impossible, and what you do find is usually contradictory. You might want to check this thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=26409&st=0&p=248971&#entry248971 Ben did an amazing job on his Snowman rig.

What we do know is that were at least (3) trucks used for the movie: a 1973 and (2) 1974s. The 1973 is the one with the gold grill emblem commorating Kenworth's 50th Annivarsary. At least one was had a tandem torsion bar suspension. (If I ever get off my butt and send the parts to Porkey you'll be able to get a resin conversion for the suspension.) And the trucks were Coffee Brown wth Gold. You should be able to get the decals here: http://modeltruckin.com/store/ once Jerry reopens the store.

The kit you picked has a Caterpillar 3406 engine in it, but I think the actual trucks had Cummins. I'm not totally sure on this. If you want to use the Cat, it should be white with a semi-gloss black transmission.

Here is a site that has lots of Car Modeler & Model Cars articles on detailing trucks. They're pretty good.

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/model_magazine_articles/car_modeller/

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/model_magazine_articles/modelcars/

I'm building the '73, I know about the rig, like I said I don't normally build big rigs, so it dosen't need to be perfect. I'm going to airbrush my stripes. I painted my engine yellow, as that might not be correct, the truck won't have the hood open very often so.............. but thank you.

[Nick Winter]

I just googled Cat 3406 and about 80% were a orangy yellow

[Jim B]

That's called New Caterpiller Yellow. And, yes, yellow would be appropriate for a 3406. I guess I should have said a majority of the engines were white with some OEM colors mixed in.

Good luck on your build, and don't forget to post pics!

[Murphy's Law]

Nick,

I have found eBay of all places to be a wealth of information on some of the vehicles I build. You can usually find a similar make with all kinds of pics.

Although it's not perfect, here's a Snowman rig on evilbay.

[Jim B]

Funny how it's listed as a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am! No it's not even close to the trucks in the movie, but it does look nice. More of a "Smokey & the Bandit" inspired truck.

[Murphy's Law]

I do like the "Rollin' up and truckin'" on the rear of the sleeper.

[Nick Winter]

thanks guys.