gotnitro?

Progress continues on my bus, yesterday I started working on the flat front cowl. Being a Thomas bus, its well, flat lol. I added a few filler strips across the top, and sides to match the hood profile. I spotted a cool detail from a 95 Thomas bus photo off an auction site. The flat cowl has a step down on the edges right beside the turn signals . I kitbashed a paystar rear wall for the front panel. The curves matched my plans, only requiring a stretch. I chopped it right down center, added the filler piece and reattached. A couple bits of scrap strip was used to reinforce the joint. top view showing the very rough cowl details, those will be blended in this wknd. I also want to add the drivers side air vent fairing. Thanks for following Jeff

Thanks Dan! I didn't realize we had so many bus operators past or present on our forums, it's very helpful! Glad to see you back in the forums too hadn't seen you around hopefully you had a great holiday.

Yeah the squirrels comment is a joke about how easy I get side tracked. They tend to suggest another project while I'm involved in the current

Smallish update I've been plugging away making brackets for the hood hinges to attach to. I stole the concept from the DR kit if it looks familiar! While these cured, I hacked up the resin cab to begin cowling work. The top needs to be a flat panel instead of curved..but the squirrels will eagerly resolve that. Jeff

Great to have ya along ! If ya see me getting side tracked rein me back in lol

Nicely done

Excellent work Tom !

Definitely!!! Thanks

@DRIPTROIT 71 Thanks for asking Brian! I'm sure I'll need photos along the way, will send ya a pm I have the V8 from the Louisville hanging around the bench I might try modifying into the 7.3. At least it has the auto transmission I need . I robbed hinges off a long ago built DR, fitting them into the frame rails and hood tonite. The biggest challenge is getting everything lined up now, to avoid a crooked body later. Thanks everyone for suggestions its greatly appreciated

Congratulations to Dutzie on your fantastic build and BRBO 22 award

Nice changes !

I'd love to find a dt466 for this! I have the Ford V8 assembled from the short hauler kit, w the auto transmission if I can't locate one. @Warren D thanks ! I've been pouring over auction pages looking at profile photos.. I have the hood mocked up,, just sitting on blocks until I can fashion up the hinges. I found a clear photo of a hood open showing an angled frame rail. Ill Sawzall mine and attempt to hinge this. The cab being used will donate its cowl to the build, its a resin IH Daniel sent w the hood

Been hearing rumors about Doug closing down shop, which is unfortunate. We've lost so many fantastic casters, hopefully someone like ST supply will pick up the AITM business

@TarheelRick- thanks! Glad you're following along with experience w the yellow bus! I nearly spit out my morning drink reading about the details I need to add @stitchdup- thanks for following @Gary Chastain glad to have ya along! it's going to be a marathon I expect @Warren D The bus he drove was a Thomas bodied bus. Thats the direction I'm going with this! Glad to have your experience along the way keeping me on track. @vincen47 thans for riding along! @Rockford thanks for your interest! I hope it wont take yrs to build lol, still a huge project from casting seats, and allll those windows

I stretched the frame an additional 4 1/2 inches , now its ready for a floor! A floor of 040 th sheet was laid down after notching the rear wheel openings. I used 2mm I beam for the floor supports, but need more. A few seats were mocked up and these didnt have any gum stuck underneath ! Jeff

My next project has plenty of seats for everyone to ride along, I'm building a replica of my late father in laws school bus he drove till retirement. The bus will be based on a mid 90s International 3800, 11 window conventional bus. It will accommodate 65 passengers, or 22 seats. I scoured the web for photos, knowing this would be a daunting task. This is a similar bus to my intended build The 1st challenge was locating a proper hood. Luckily a short message to Daniel, owner of Plaskit, provided a correct hood. Its a conversion hood for the S- series truck, and right era I needed. I couldn't believe I was this lucky..but knew a mountain laid ahead. I wanted a set of plans for this build. Theres was plenty available as downloads, so off to Staples for enlargements. A couple tries at matching the copies to the rear tire I brought along, and I was rewarded w suitable drawings. The frame being used is a stretched chassis from the Ford Short Hauler. I unfortunately can't recall who I purchased it from, and apologize! The drawings showed a 12 window bus, so I removed one after a quick measurement. My wife's uncle worked for a bus garage, and was invaluable getting the info for this. The bus needed to have a 254 inch wheelbase, after removing the window it was perfect.

A real show stopper ! Phenomenal work on your wrecker. The droop on the top looks so good and color faded

The one build I actually took finished photos of..

Wow outstanding work on every one of your builds ! I feel very envious, only finishing 2 trucks all yr lol

Good looking build ?

great work on your wrecker !

loved watching these fleet trucks come together stellar work! Can't wait to see what 2023 brings from your bench

nice start !! its always fun to take a detour for awhile building something different, keeps the building fun and refreshing Ive been working on a couple 1/350 modern warships, and just picked up a Nimitz aircraft carrier..havent decided which wall to knock down to make space yet

Excellent work

Beautiful work on your Tomcat !