Mike77

I got the long range fuel tanks made...basically just two sets of KW tanks attached end to end. I made my own straps for them. The straps look a little thick right now but I'll rectify that at paint time. I think this'll be the first time in my life I've ever gone with painted tanks instead of chrome. They'll be chassis color with chrome ends and chrome straps. I also made some extensions for the bottom of the sleeper and cab which I'll blend in. I want this truck to be relatively light free so there won't be any chicken lights, cab lights, etc. The battery boxes droop a little because they're just set in place. With Mark coming to my rescue regarding the grille I can keep rolling on everything else. I haven't started on the engine or interior yet, and I'm still mulling over a hundred different color ideas, but this project is coming together finally. Not trying to build an exact replica of a factory W900L gives me a little more creative freedom.

The record cover shows an old Red Ball Van Lines truck but I don't think it's meant to represent the 309...

Crisis averted thanks to Mark, we can all stand down!

I appreciate your input and photos Mark, but again, I don't use an air brush. About the only way to spray light coats with a rattle can is to increase the distance between the can and the part, so it's a much less exact science than adjusting settings on an air brush. My goal from my original post on has been to simply send the raw grille to someone, have them do their magic with either Alclad or Spaz Stix, and have them return it. While I appreciate the air brush advice it really doesn't apply to me. I've actually put the grille aside as an "I'll worry about it later" part of my BRBO project.

Smart move to change companies now. It sure looks like you'll have a sweet new ride!

Love the color Rich! Your progress really makes me want to get my but in gear and get some color on my chassis...as soon as I decide on a color that is!

I appreciate all the info and advice guys but I have to reiterate that I don't use an airbrush. It's not that I'm too lazy to buy one and learn how to use it. I live in an apartment and my painting is limited to nice outdoor conditions (warm & little or no wind). This is why I'm looking for someone who uses an airbrush and can spray my grille with either Spaz Stix or Alclad.

Outstanding build! I have yet to build a 377 but after seeing yours I really want to have a crack at one.

There are several types of 3D printing that use different materials. The 3D full fenders I had purchased from Shapeways are white and very grainy. The grille is an almost milky, semi-clear color and has some imperfections but nowhere near grainy. Bob at Chrome Tech has told me a couple of times that he's had absolutely no luck with 3D parts. After trying aerosol Spaz Stix I'm hesitant to try aerosol Alclad.

I tried it already and at least the aerosol version comes out like shiny silver. I watched the videos, used a black base, did light coats, etc., etc., etc.

Thanks Jacobus. I checked out the website and video, but unfortunately to me the finished product looks like shiny silver. I know there really is nothing out there, short of actual plating, that comes out to look like true chrome, but my guess is that the closest I'm going to get is to find someone who can apply either Alclad or Spaz Stix using an air brush. I've even thought of trying to use BMF but given the detail and small size of the grille that may not turn out well. I suppose it'll be worth a try.

I hope this is in the right place as there isn't a "services wanted" section here. I'm looking for someone who uses Alclad chrome and can do a good job on a grille for me. I have the W900L grille for by BRBO project, but the grille is 3D printed and can't be plated via the usual method which for me is Chrome Tech USA. The next best thing from what I've heard is Alclad via air brush. I don't use an air brush so I'm looking for someone to do the grille for me in Alclad chrome. I will pay for your services and return shipping of course. If anyone out there can help me with this please let me know at perhach2@mediacombb.net or via PM. Thanks! Mike

Thanks Brian! This is probably not one I would've ever done on my own, but when I was thinking about a subject for the BRBO and saw KJ's BRBO conversion kit I thought I'd give it a go. Now that I'm building it and it's starting to look like more than a bunch of parts I'm getting into it a little more. It may not "win, place, or show" but I'm having fun with it and I guess that's what really counts in our hobby.

It sounds like I got one of KJ's last W900L conversion kits which is why I'm trying my best to do this one justice. I'm not trying to make a precise replica of a W900L, just my version of one.

I'm too lazy to do all that scale inches stuff so I'll do it the easy way...it's 15-1/2" from the steer axle to the rearmost axle. Google searching has shown me some pretty long rigs. I don't know how practical this would be in the real world but the fun of modeling is that I don't have to turn any corners with this KW.

I got the chassis to a length I'm happy with and I decided to go with double-hump rear fenders instead of the 3D full fenders on this one. They're just set on top of the tires for now until I get everything centered and mounted down the line. I might have to put a little "Whoa!" in my giddyup on this one though with over 6 months left in the contest.

Very nice! Someday I need to build one of those. As for the air shield it'd look good without it and pulling a tanker.

I'll look into that, thanks. My limitation is that I don't use an air brush so I'd either have to find something in a rattle can that actually works or find someone who can paint it for me.

Finally got some more work done on the cab/sleeper. The fairings made the sleeper look longer than it really was so I brought the back of the sleeper out to the ends of the fairings instead of it being recessed. Now I need to tackle the hood. I have a piece of styrene taped in place as a mock grille to keep the shape of the hood true. My biggest hurdle is the grille. Since it's 3D I can't have it chromed, so I tried Spaz Stix mirror chrome spray and I wasn't impressed at all. My other two options for the grille are to try to make one from styrene and have it chromed or paint the existing one body color. Decisions, decisions. I've also tweaked the frame as it was originally too short...now I'm wondering if it's too long!

Looks good to me KJ! Anytime you can breathe new life into and old build is good thing.

My brother (a truck driver) was behind this the other day in Indiana. I guess this is the Army's version of the Yosemite Sam "Back Off" mud flaps!

Here's a quick, not-so-good pic of the KW from a week or so ago. I've done quite a bit more work on it since and I hope to have better photos as soon as this weekend.

I'm sure the demand is there for another rotator kit. The Will-Do kits flew off the shelves and have more than doubled in price on the secondary market. Although a "Jamie Davis" Western Star rotator kit would be really cool it's highly unlikely. If nothing else I'm sure Revell would do very well putting out another run of the Will-Do kits.

I love it...and I'm sure JT will too!

Very cool KJ, great scratch work on the bed!