Mike77

The whole rig is outstanding, but I'm particularly interested in the round running lights on the rear, under the cab/sleeper, etc. Did you make those or are they available in the aftermarket?

Thanks guys!

I recently bought a parts lot that included a bunch of these 1/25 tires. They're slightly "beefier" than the traditional kit tires I'm used to so I was wondering if you guys know what they are. They're pliable and rubber-like (probably vinyl) with a 1/2" tread width and a 1-3/4" outer diameter. The lettering on one side wall reads "regroovable", "radial tubeless", and "385/65 R22.5", and the opposite side wall has no markings. Any help is appreciated. Thanks! Mike

WOW, you did a fantastic job of replicating that 1:1 Pete!!!

I'm sure you guys have done this before, but I thought it would be cool to hear what everyone's first truck model kit was. Let's hear about the first big rig kit you built...the one that started it all. I'll go first... In the mid-70's I was about 10- or 11-years-old and my parents bought me a Peterbilt 359 kit. I didn't know the first thing about detailing trucks so I built it straight out of the box and painted it copper with a black frame. Nothing special but I couldn't wait to save up $2.97 to buy another kit at Kmart, which I think was a Pete 352. The bug bit me and by the time the CB craze hit in the late-70's I had already built quite a few rigs and I was hooked for life.

Lookin' good JT! That's one trailer I've never built. Seeing your build I think I'll have to add it to my to-do list.

Outstanding work! If your skills have improved since you built that combo then you're in a league of your own.

Ditto here Gator! I hope everyone here has a Merry Christmas and a truckin' good New Year!

I noticed that too. If I had to guess I'd say it's the same truck but the top pic shows some upgrades. In addition to the front graphics and the newer bumper the light bar on top is more modern and it has amber lights in the grille, plus spot mirrors. I can't make out anything on the door other than "York, PA". Maybe someone in that area would be able to get more info. It's a very interesting wrecker and a possible project for someone ambitious enough to do it in scale.

This KW was in the parking lot of a nearby Walmart today. I'm guessing it'd pull a car transporter. I also saw a huge Reliable rig but I couldn't get a photo without causing a multi-vehicle pile-up on I-80.

It's good that you mentioned that Jeff. One thing I've done whenever I've built the Can-Do/Will-Do wrecker is the glue a small piece of styrene between the back of the sleeper and the front of the wrecker body. It's relatively invisible there and it effectively makes the truck body and wrecker body one unit and helps to eliminate the sag between the sleeper and wrecker body.

Still hoping for a Transtar II.

I'm afraid this was my only build this year. A bit over-the-top but it was a neat project. Besides whatever I end up building for the contest I'm hoping to do more next year.

Thank you! It was quite a bit of work to do, but it was fun. I built it at least a dozen years ago. I had to have it towed once by my 1/16 wrecker!

A couple of COEs I built years ago. A Transtar II day cab and a 1/16 KW Aerodyne...

Well, we might as well post our "wreckers with sleepers" pics here ...

Thank you for that Sean, I appreciate it! Mike

Novice question regarding the hood...what's GW? I've been looking for a 379 extended hood and the last I knew of were Clint Freeman's from years ago.

Thanks Clayton, I appreciate the info. I have extensive experience with making 1/18 diecast wheels work between manufacturers and it sounds like a similar situation with Moebius wheels. I was thinking about the Moebius sets after I built my most recent Revell Can-Do/Will-Do wrecker. It seemed to me that the wheels didn't seat right inside the tires on that kit.

Can you guys give me the pros and cons of the Moebius wheel & tire sets? I haven't bought any yet but I see some of you using them as upgrades to kit versions. I'm sure they're not a direct fit on all suspensions but are they reasonably adaptable to most of them? Thanks in advance!

Around here (Illinois) about the only time I see older rigs is at harvest time. It seems some of the farmers bring them out to haul the corn & soybeans to market. About a month or so ago I saw a beautiful white & red Transtar II. Even just passing it on the highway I could tell it had been well cared for over the years.

Although I never had the opportunity to drive a COE, I believe comfort had something to do with them falling out of favor as well. In addition to the longer frame KJ mentioned, in a cabover you're sitting directly on top of the front axle (slightly rougher ride) and you're also sitting directly above the engine (year-round heating, even in summer! ). Since cabovers are few and far between these days it's a real treat to see one. The white & red Transtar II I saw the other day pulling a flatbed was gorgeous, but unfortunately traffic didn't allow me to photograph it.

It's been a lot of years since I did my 1/16 Movin' On Kenworth so I don't recall the color I used, but I think the Testors you have is fine. Remember, if you're happy with it that's all that matters.

Awesome, good too see some more customs in 1/16! I'm in the beginning stages of a custom 1/16 Pete myself.

A double take on my favorite COE of all time, awesome! I've had that idea in my head for almost 40 years, I just never went through with it. Now I have an idea of what it'll look like if I ever get around to it.