10thumbs

TJ, I have to chuckle now, every guy is telling something different. You'll find the best way to get it done. Just one more thing then I'm out of here. When you do a knot with CA, you probably won't be able to loosen it. As I wrote above, when all the lines are as you want them to be, left, right, fore and aft, then you can affix them. You may also if needed, loosen one or the other if needed. If you glue each knot as you go, then you'll probably be in trouble sooner or later. So, lots of guys giving info here, I'm out now. Good luck.

TJ, if you don't mind, most of the kits offered have lines that are not really very good. They're for the most part very fuzzy. I've had kits that were many $100's, still I needed to exchange the lines for better material. Aftermarket shops have lines that are very clean, all gauges, black and tan. They can look like real rope! For the scale of your model you could even use sewing thread, the yarn is a lot better quality than what's offered in kits. When the black lines are the way you want them, for example fixed already on both sides, fore and aft, you can dilute a quick setting wood lime with water (50/50), mixed in a jar lid for instance, and just paint the thin solution on with a paintbrush. In 5 minutes the lines are smoother and they'll get really taught. I do knots this way as well, like for the ratlines. Afterwards though, you won't be able to change much. Just a thought.

Hi Kenneth, that's a nice one! Not many of those kits around these days. Don't worry about the wife, she'll get over it.

That's a real nice Mopar color for this higher value car. In my memories I have this color as having a beige interior, seldom black or so, but this without facts, I didn't follow Charlie's links. Maybe later, good info for sure. About the roof color, I at first thought a 2-tone was not readily seen back then, the White Hat Dodge Days came later on. For Mopars, a vinyl roof in '65....? Maybe not too common if at all. I haven't a clue right now about the different roof color. But I haven't googled either, this is only from what I immediately think was common and seen in my area. I think the body color is very well suited for this car.

I like it too! The old hood piece, and the old skinny tires, plus the straps on the tank out in the back look believable to me. Maybe some worn areas on the seats too might be nice. Good model, well done.

KJ, I think you wrote on one of my other topics about the NE being a little different concerning the way trucks are ordered, maybe this stretched frame deal fits in there too. About the tight roads, reminds me of how German small towns here during 1st Armored Division maneuvers get their old houses at intersections constantly chipped away because the boys in those big ole trucks can't quite make the tight turns in the old villages. The trailers with Abrams heavy metal on them kind of take their toll. Some roads are so tight here I can hardly get around a small car at a light when I'm zipping around on my little (but quick) Vespa, which is about the only way anymore to get anywhere in European towns. Big trucks aren't even allowed in the cities for the most part. By the way, no trucks Sunday either, period. No trucks on the Autobahn on Sundays.

I like a lot of these areas! I'd feel real comfortable being there. I'm impressed too with the number of kits you guys have stashed! Man, I have 3 kits that have been bashed because of other builds, and an Anglia Gasser that'll be built some day.

Thanks Clayton. So....you probably knew it was coming. DPF is what exactly? The 5th wheel looks like it's far back, I don't think the perspective cheats here, the frame must be stretched. I've downloaded a bunch of these trucks, the ones that just kill me are a single tone paint scheme. I have them in different turquoise shades too that look real good in my eyes. Being from South Florida, I like the color. This blue does rock though. I have an idea too, I've been experimenting with H of K colors and I've mixed one that I call Mallard Blue, like the named duck. Like the pic above, just with some dark green in there, and on a silver base, this makes for a really stunning dark and cool temperatured custom color. I like it on this truck. The lowered White Freightliner has become one of my personal faves. Looks like maybe he has chrome trim around the front fenders too. QUESTION: I got info from UTube on the 5th wheel. The blocks for the trailer wheels while sitting, plus the ones used for the truck when the driver gets out to check things, where are they stored while pulling the trailer? Somewhere on the trailer frame itself, or on the tractor somewhere?

Looking good Mark! I think my Dad even owned a Cutlass like that one, same color too. He used to say he liked the way it ran. Must of been the last year before the smog laws choked everything. Michael

Thanks guys, another thing learned. So, I think I've made my choices finally for which two kits I'd like to start with, both are from the past. It seems like AMT gets the win, I'll probably even skip the Peterbilt for now. I like the White COE and the Diamond Reo. The former just hits it in my opinion and will take customizing well. I like the Diamond Reo because it seems like a real workhorse with not many frills and it will look good as a clean powerful looking model. As KJ suggested, modeling a truck using reference pics is a good way to go, I agree. My last two scratch builds were done using real cars. I like this, from Pinterest; So lets see what I've learned from this topic. Here a couple of the mods done; 1. Chrome visor and side wind deflectors 2. Chromed large bumper with lights 3. Chrome rear fenders 4. Lug nuts from a chariot in a gladiator movie....lol 5. Stainless (?) fuel tanks, large type 6. Chromed rims, front and rear 7. Aluminum custom boxes (for whatever?) 8. Slightly lowered and probably stretched too 9. Custom paintjob (love the color ion this truck!) 10. Tinted glass Good huh? Anything else?

Thanks Clayton, I've found out there's a couple of kits I'll stay away from, the ones you mentioned first just now are my current faves. The White COE too, I can't find the KW123. For now I'd like to start with day cabs. Another thing I don't understand is why the longer wheelbase mods? Bigger sleeper, or is it a driving/handling thing? Some guys are doing really long, stretched out chassis....why?

Thanks Aaron, those are good ideas, thanks too for the pics. Good work too. I like the headache racks, I think I could make one of those. Matthew, now that's an altered wheelbase you're showing there! The cabin can't be called a cabin, more like an apartment. Whatcha got there in the back anyway? QUESTION GUYS: With the kits, can the cabin just be deleted? I see a truck or two that I like, but can I make them a day cab too without major surgery? Are they just added on to the conventionals? There are for instance Kenworths, I think a t900, without the cabin? Maybe just not mount the thing to the cab, and block off a hole, or entry to the rest area?

OK Skip, I get it now. No problem, as soon as the weather is nice enough, decent lighting. I think it's a good idea anyway to update the ship pics, also of the others. I have no digital pics of them. I'll come back here and update, thanks for the idea. Hi Tony, what a shame about the mishap with the Victory, a magnificent vessel. I had a neighbor that built that ship from a wooden kit in a large scale and it was huge. Very intricate. Most of mine have suffered too, mostly small blemishes and a part here and there gas gotten loose. Nothing serious though. Many moves have made their mark. Amazing too, when my wife even goes near them, dusting the shelf for instance, something always happens. Only remedy has been to keep the area clean myself, then tell her the area is clean. Thanks for looking.

Hi Gary, very nice model, well done. I've built this car recently also and thought too better raise it front and back to make it look right. The car is way too low otherwise, my opinion. You've built a clean model and it pleases. Michael

KJ, I like the KW123 but I can't find one yet from a shop that has the AMT Ca Hauler too. Good idea too about building one from reference pics. But here again, I don't really realize what I'm looking at when I see a truck I'd like to do. Thanks Sean. about the hood....do you meant making the existing hood just look like it's fiberglass? OK, that's a small detail I could easily handle.

Steve, now we're cookin'! I just checked out the assembly sheet for an AMT truck, so I see already the motor will be cast in metal, there are enough parts to it to make it a nice piece. I've checked too some of the lines needed for big Diesels. Now, with the brake lines and plumbing I'm set to go. I'll check out the link very soon. I really think I can pull off a decent truck build when the detailing for the rear suspension is accurate. Since the trucks are quite a bit larger than my last drag race cars I think I can handle it. I'm thinking too in the direction of a firewall from aluminum sheet and adding some of the wiring, things of this nature. Thanks for the info.

Jeff, you put a KW on a Ford kit? Love it. Ole Henry'll roll over again but the model looks good! Mark, I'm really eyeballing the AMT Ca. Hauler for my 1st endeavor, maybe the AMT White COE as no. 2, I'll have to see which shop has what I'd like. I'm in Germany so shipping costs as much as the kit. 1 stop shopping is then a wise thing to do . I'd sure like some 5 spoke wheels on the White!

Clayton, they look great, this is exactly what I'm looking for. The hood is straight too, right? Really custom stuff, like cars. A slammed Peterbuilt! Love it. This is good info. Those trucks look really wicked. Hi Mark. I'm with you on the time frame, my drag cars are no later than early 70's. I did an Internet search for the blower Diesel motors, I understand these now and see how they're mounted. Do you have some pics of those Diesels? I realize too about doing what you want to do, but I have to get there first as I just don't know what can be done. Thanks guys, I hope we'll get some more input here.

Hi guys, I've done a search but I'll start this up anyway. Let's talk which mods can be made to big rig truck models for beginners. Here in the forum I read about and see finished trucks where the builder says something like; "basically OOTB with just a few mods". Well, I don't see them. I can't tell what's been done. Lets take the AMT California Hauler for instance. I know about long hood/short hood as I just read about it on Chuck Most's nice thread about his finished truck. What else can be readily done to customize trucks? Please show pics of your builds if you like, that would be great! I'd like to hear about motor mods, fenders, wheels and tire mods, bumpers and flaps....whatever you guys like to do and what you personally like/dislike. For instance, tires. I don't very much about trucks, this is all new to me. But I do like big tires on them. Let's see or read what you like to do. I'd be grateful for some insight and examples. I'm zeroing in my first purchase(s) so I'd like just an idea to bash it too. It'll get metal parts for sure, what else can I look at? Michael

Hi Skip, I could take a few pics of the ship outside, but not sure what you mean about the realistic environment.

Scott, that's ingenious and looks very good. Excellent.

Thanks KJ, those are some really great reference pics! Lots if info right there to be seen.

Thanks Pat for the kind words.

That looks great Scott! The swamp looks so good I can almost smell it, excellent work. What's the story with the spotlights up on top? Are they from model railroading? It appears you have quite a hand with landscaping, do you do railroading? Michael PS: The pic just above....now I know where my new missing clamp tweezers are! lol.

Hello Jarda, from what I've gathered here on this topic, the 5 spoke wheel was used more often in the 70's and before. Yes, the buyer had a choice, and truckers from the North and NE USA were more for the 5 spoke wheels as opposed to truckers from other areas. Moreover, it was a matter of choice or preference, perhaps having actually no set rules. The summary would be it was a matter of choice, and time for us modellers. I really like them because when cast in metal I know they'll have more visible depth to them, more structure to catch the eye. For my personal taste, this means a very realistic looking model! I do like other wheels too, like on the Peterbilts and KWs with all of the holes in the rims. Further down the road I'll do these too, but for now I'm hooked on the look of the 2 piece wheels. Glad you dropped in and I think the guys have been really helpful too, this is an informative series going on here. Michael