leafsprings

Was there some type of pump on the front end of the KW?

Great looking Mack. Interior details and colors are very accurate, good choice using period wheels.! You have inspired me to learn how to hinge hoods and doors!

Smoothing out firewall and front end with radiator installed.

Challenge mixer installed with vertical water tank. Ready to pour concrete.

The type of trucks being re issued look nowhere like current big rigs. I don't know if you could make that assumption. The million dollar question is , what does truck modeling pubic want to buy, and what would bring in bigger profits, a current big rig you see on the road today ( aerodynamic motel room on wheels) or a big rig of the 50's and 60's ( era before AMT came on the scene: classic lines, heavy steel frames and polluting non computer controlled engines). I'm not privy to the sales of the Lonestar, but Moebius might want to gamble and do a '56 Kenworth conventional and compare sales figures. Sooner or later, all the AMT kits will be reissued and we have to think of these questions for the future of the industry.

Picked up a Keystone 1950's resin tanker. Another similar reference photo and some data. Some more work on reshaping front fenders and adding lip edge.

Great job on this tractor and trailer combo! One of the most realistic versions of the 352 I've ever seen. Especially like the work done to the front axle, it is steerable, and it has been narrowed to sit perfectly in the front fenders!

Super impressive build! All the details and modifications really bring out the best in the classic ALF. The color actually looks very close to the color used on equipment in the old Emergency TV series. Maybe you have some L. A. County decals in the works?

Thanks for the positive responses to this build. Always had a soft spot for the heavies that used the light duty cabs. May just finish this one before the reissue arrives!

Thanks for the response Bill. These rims are 5.25" wide. Look forward to seeing them in the future. These rims were used on Dodge pickups also in the same '56- '66 era.

Added 1/4" plastruct to front end, filled in rear cab corners and started to reshape fenders. Will be using dual fuel tank set up from AITM.

Agree 100%. These things need stability when racing to a fire or rescue! The wheel upgrade really payed off on this one, great choice!

Were truly in a renaissance period of truck models. I personally never thought we would see the magnitude of re issues of the last couple of years. It really is a time to stock up because nobody can predict the future.

Doing another Frontier Resins offering marketed as a Big Job. This time it will be a Custom Cab F 1000 2 axle tractor. Will lower the front end under grill 1/4", fill in back cab corners and square out the fenders. Engine will be the destroked version of 534, which is the 477. Spicer 5 speed from KW conventional kit and using frame off the GMC Astro. Budd wheels will be aftermarket resin.

The heavier duty version of the D 100 is the D 200. Simple base model workhorse. Used Rookie Resin's D 200 hubcaps with 16.5" Goodyear tires off the 70's AMT Ford Star Truk pickup kit. Used Testors 1847 Bronze

Thanks agian Bill, I now have a Dodge D200 sporting your 3/4 ton hubcaps. I used the old 16.5" goodyear tires off the 70's issue AMT Ford pickup to complete the look.

Thanks for posting Brian. More interesting reading. http://bestride.com/news/25-years-ago-gm-closed-framingham-assembly

X2! The Freightliner can be a great kit with some essential mods.

One of the most popular Ford truck lines ever, the Louisville, was introduced in 1970 and used up till the 1995 model year, with only minor headlight, grill and bumper changes to the same general design. Would love to see the re issues with some new tooling items added, plated grill, newer bumper, custom decal graphics, but ...............

Great build! Excellent representation of what an old school IH should look like. Especially like the wheel and tire choice, air horn location and gas powerplant!

Very well done! I like the attention to detail, blacked out behind the grill and correct 6 cyl bowtie emblem. Only thing I would to this gem is black tailgate letters.

Very nice work on the RF 190 Brian, like the fact you used the Ertl IH spoke wheels with their unique look. The build would look spot on with some Union Pacific Railroad decals!

Very good point stenfalk, they were sculptured pieces of art, much more easier on the eye than the more boxier shapes covered by Ertl, especially the rough severe service construction front ends of the Paystar series.

The White Motor Company cab used in Autocar Diamond Reo White Road Boss AMT kits, first came out in 1950, used up to 1987. Door handles replaced with lower flush type in 1980. GMC Astro introduced in 1969 used till 1987. Chevy Titan introduced in 1970 discontinued in 1980. Both GM cabovers received only minor changes, mainly larger grills.

Great build, reminds me of a time when contractors who took pride in their company assigned vehicles, no matter the age of the vehicle. Rack, load and accessories look super realistic. Color looks spot on for the factory "Navajo Beige" for '65.