Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

AMT White Western Star (first time builder)


Recommended Posts

Hi, This might look finished but there's still a couple of things to go (that's why I'm posting here in workbench). This is my first attempt at a truck (previously done a couple of WWI aircraft recently) and other odds and sods about 30years ago.

This is pretty much out of the box but I have taken some liberties with the decal placement as (1) the instructions don't give you much help and (2) I have no idea where they would go on a real truck! haha.

post-10571-0-33658500-1357684236_thumb.j post-10571-0-65486800-1357684346_thumb.j post-10571-0-95605000-1357684385_thumb.j

This is a mockup with the sleeper...

post-10571-0-54369400-1357684443_thumb.j post-10571-0-86258100-1357684477_thumb.j post-10571-0-05727100-1357685089_thumb.j

I have a couple of questions though (not being all that familiar with big rigs):

1) How many brake lines should this have and what colour? I think I have seen trucks with 2 and some with 3?

2) Also where do they snake back to? Somewhere under the cab or engine bay?

3) The chrome luberfiner (oil cooler?) on the left side - should that have a couple of hoses coming out of the bottom?

4) Any tips on decal/placard placement would be appreciated (although probably too late for this build), especially all the number plate variants etc (I am in New Zealand so obviously don't see these around every day).

Thanks for your help

And one more (minor) one - they say paint the thing that holds the brake lines a brass colour which looks cool but just curious - in real life that big pole wouldn't all be brass would it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice Star !

The pole you mention is nicknamed a "pogostick" and is also called a hose tenna. It would be brass color (the color notations on the instructions were prepared by me), the tenna really isn't brass. They could also be chromed or painted chassis color. The trailer hoses would be two air and one electrical line. They typically route under the cab to the air system, the instrument panel controls and the engine. In the old-days, all the trailer connections would be black.

The Luberfiner (that's a brand name for an oil filter) would have 2 hoses coming from the bottom (intake and return) that run from the oil system on the engine.

License plates until the mid 1980's in the USA and Canada would be a-plenty on the front of the truck. Cross-country trucks could have a dozen or so on the front. More typical would be 3 or 4 plus a "bingo card" plate (the one with the little colored rectangles). The front bumper and front of the fenders below the headlamps were good for mounting plates. Since your truck is the NorthWest trucking, you could probably get away with the Washington and British Columbia plates.

I'm glad to see your cab and hood lined up. The alignment can be tricky with this kit (same for the Diamond Reo and White Road Boss).

Here's my version - looking very similar to yours but really dirty.

Tim

wwsboxstockright82112-vi.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey thanks Tim,

Soooo that's your truck - I was using that for reference on my build - cheers.

Yeah I had to jiggle the cab a bit to get it to fit properly. I enjoyed the build overall only tricky parts I found were the fitting of the hood/hinges and fitting the mirrors.

One other thing I noticed, I found the rear axles way too long so had to trim them down.

Thanks again for the info - thats a big help. I'll be able to finish her off now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Soooo that's your truck - I was using that for reference on my build - cheers.

When it comes to Peterbilt Tim is the specialist :):) . Your model looks real good for a first time builder of trucks. I'm from Holland and in our country US trucks are very rare. This is due to weight regulations.

Hessel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thans for all the comments guys - I appreciate it.

Doobie - great tip! Only thing is I glued the sleeper on yesterday so I don't have access to the inside (@#$%^*&.......) I just went out and had a look and yes it looks like poo with the clear windows and white interior (can't believe I didn't notice it before).

I think I'll try and 'smoke' up those widows somehow with varnish or nail polish or something - any tips?

Apart from that it's pretty much finished, just got to put the ac unit on and 'plumb' it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A little trick Ive used once of twice is to get some blank film negatives cut the film to the size of your window and then get some wood glue PVA and stick the film on the outside of your window . This solves both probs of not being able to get in to the sleeper and gives you tinted windows

P/S make sure you use the shiny side facing out on you film

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 years later...

Hey guys 

I am currently building my first model. I am wondering if you guys can give me some good tips on a couple things

what kind a glue/cement did you use 

how did you get the paint to come out so darn good!! 
 We’re there any tools you used to help building it? 
 

and any tips you found while building it. Thank you !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...