Mike77

The model makers really missed the boat when they never made the Peterbilt 379 or Kenworth W900L, and now that's those are becoming dinosaurs on the road we'll never see them. That said, the only way to sustain the hobby and make an attempt at getting new people interested in building is to come out with kits of newer trucks that people actually see on the road.

Hmmm...just because you can doesn't mean you should!

I've heard stories over the past few years that the molds no longer exist, and just as many "soon to be reissued" stories. Personally I'm hoping for the latter since it's been 23 years since it was last issued, but I would've thought with the popularity of the kit and constant demand for it that it would've been reissued by now if the molds do exist. At this point I wouldn't even care if they came with Coca-Cola decals as long as the kit gets released!

Looks like the AMT/Italeri collaboration is continuing.

Driving through Colorado last week I happened upon the "Reaper" at a rest area west of Denver. It was awesome to see such a huge Kenworth...it even has a Harley inside! The other pics a rig I saw on me trip...

It's Italeri plastic in an AMT box.

I get the functionality of those twin-steer wreckers but they just look goofy to me.

Air show weekend in St. Louis...

That thread is from 6 years ago. Nevertheless, it would be great to see that kit again, especially at primary market prices.

Robert Plant would be proud.

I wish there was another service out there comparable to Chrome Tech for those of us who don't use an air brush. Most of these spray-on/brush-on chromes come close , and it's great that they're available, but I've still seen none actually match plating. Call me lazy, but to send in parts and have them come back to me plated like a model kit was well worth it with Chrome Tech.

Also because most COEs have the aerodynamics and fuel efficiency of a brick.

I absolutely love the orange and white one! I've bought a lot of the New Ray 579 sets for resale at TSC (Tractor Supply), Big R, and even Farm & Fleet. My best deal was late last fall when I was able to get a bunch of them for $15 apiece at TSC. I've never modified one although I've disassembled the 579. What's considered the chassis is rather convoluted, and if I ever decide to mod one I'd probably put the cab/hood/sleeper piece on a regular kit chassis.

Because of the separate roof piece I would've never attempted this with the Revell version. This one was made using the AMT Papa kit(s)...

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should...

They do take a lot of paint, don't they?

Outstanding!!!

I was thinking Grabber Blue as well.

I paint basically the same way RIchard does. I've used rattle cans all my life with satisfaction and at my age I don't see a reason to dive into airbrushing. I always use Duplicolor paints whenever possible, and I always use primer. One tip is that if you're unsure of anything paint a test piece. Either an unused kit part or a piece of styrene stock is preferable so that you're using the type of plastic you'll eventually be painting.

I think that sums up the state of this hobby. Many of us have been building the same kits over and over for year in different ways, which is the great thing about truck model building...there are endless variations that can be done. However it's very difficult to get young builders to want to build models of trucks they rarely see on the road. If they're interested in building truck models they want to build what they see every day. I think Moebius is about the only manufacturer that has given us anything we can call modern. As thankful as we all are and rightly should be for that, imagine what it would be like if Moebius had the license with Paccar. That would be our only likelihood of getting kits of current Peterbilts and Kenworth. I'll be the first to admit that a lot of the rigs on the road today are pretty darn sharp-looking. Just thinking out loud...

Looks great Ken! I have a WF double COE on my to-do list.

Pretty sweet!