vincen47

Thank you, I appreciate that. Fortunately, it was one of those builds that I enjoyed more as it went along, and especially after it was done. Sometimes it works the other way too, where you lose excitement and interest as it goes along, right?

Great start on another great project.

Thanks, I was hoping the two tone red with black fenders would look good. I was pleased with the results. Yeah, they are nice wheels. Nicely priced, too. All I did was coat them in black primer and then one coat of Revell chrome. That’s it, no sanding. Thanks! Thanks! I figured that would be a spot where it would be rusty, but normally not seen on the real thing. Glad you like it. Thanks. Thank you! Thanks, I enjoyed it. It was actually more of a side project, worked on it while I was waiting on parts or things to cure on my RV build. But, went “full time” on it the past couple weeks to get it finished up.

Here’s my representation of a Mid-90’s Pete 378 that’s still making money for its newest owner. Part of a small fleet of Pre-Emission rigs, enjoyed for their good fuel mileage and reliable Series 60 Detroits. It’s looking like it’s due for another in-frame rebuild, but after that, it’ll go another near million miles. The paint was refreshed before the recent sale a year or so ago, so that’s still in good shape, overall. Not bad looking for a 30 year old truck. To fit the story, I built it as a truck that’s not perfectly polished, but is generally well cared for and maintained. A working truck. The owner put a few accessories on it, including a bug deflector, air cleaner lights, center hood trim, and a swan hood ornament. Light to moderate weathering was added, especially on the engine. The paint coating under the hood is chipping, there’s a few dings and scratches, and the IFTA and DOT stickers are a little crooked, just like a “little less than perfect” truck. I set out wanting to build it near box-stock, only making corrections to Italeri’s shortcomings. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good kit, but there’s a few things that Italeri missed out on or screwed up: 1. Air/Fuel Tanks & Air Cleaner Seams - filled and refinished with Revell Chrome. 2. The kit’s European-style 5th Wheel was replaced and the base was modified so the 5th wheel is centered between the tandems. 3. A basic Charge Air Cooler representation was made from an Italeri FLC radiator. 4. The engine should have a rear sump oil pan. It’s a set-forward axle truck, so to avoid the axle hitting the oil pan going over bumps, it needs to be flipped around, unlike what the instructions show. 5. The kit’s shallow washer fluid reservoir was replaced with a more realistic scratch-built one. 6. The kit has a tool box on both sides. Peterbilts should have a battery box on the left side, so the left tool box was replaced with a resin battery box from AITM. 7. Wheels and tires were replaced with much more accurate 3d printed Alcoas from Black Sheep Customs (eBay) and steer & drive tires from Moluminum. 8. Injector pin marks on the side mirrors were covered with reflectors from Czech Truck Model. CTM photo etch was also added to make the exhaust, deck plate, grille, lights, emblem, and air cleaner mesh. Great stuff. 9. The engine has basic plumbing and wiring, not too elaborate. Air and electrical lines were added from Earl Miller (Available from Model Truck Builder), along with a simple scratch built air line box, and an all-position spare tire. Thanks for checking it out!

Nice use of aftermarket wheels and tires. Great build.

Nice modifications and details. Beautiful.

Oooh, that’s a pretty truck. Very classy. Nice stretch, too.

Great build! Perfect color for a period-correct look.

I just received my order for the Bostrom Wide Ride II seats, and they are excellent. Highly recommended. The seats are the only thing I’ve ordered so far, but I plan to get more parts, including wheels.

So cool! Such a good build. Love the green. Great details.

Wow that’s impressive! A great subject matter. Another example of 3d printing being a huge part of the present and future of the hobby.

I’ve had good and honest service. My most recent purchase was a set of IFTA/Clean Idle decals. Website had me pay $11.75 for shipping, which I didn’t like, but I figured that’s the rate from Canada, even for a small letter-size envelope. But, Paul sent me a refund the next day for $9 for overpaying shipping. Nice. Ordered on 2/22, received on 3/3. 9 days ain’t bad at all, and the decals look great.

Thanks, and yes that’s primer. Apparently there’s a shortage of supply for the Mr Hobby 1500 Black primer, according to my local hobby shop. They haven’t received any since July. I was able to order some online.

This would be an impressive build if it were 1/25. But, so much more amazing that it’s 1/32. Proof that it can be done, and done well, in that scale.

Your finish on the engine looks great. Not too much at all. Excellent. Looks used but not abused.

You continue to impress. I’m looking forward to seeing how the paint tests work out.

The work you’ve done on the computer is great, it’s a whole other dimension of our hobby.

Fantastic work. Fun to watch this project.

The hands of a true artist at work.

Thanks, that’s appreciated. One of these days I’ll build one of the 3d printed Series 60’s from GP modeling. The one in your Farm Floater truck is amazing. You’ve raised the bar on engine builds with that one.

The wood deck was a huge upgrade. Nice!

Looking forward to the show!

Thanks, I appreciate that. This evening I did a little more touch up, mainly on the rooftop awning fairing in front. Never-ending body work.

Looking good, enjoying it.

This project continues to amaze me.