Warren D

They were big when I was growing up and for whatever reason, I still like them. This is the Revell kit, just a quick build while waiting for truck parts.

Looks great so far. Mission Models makes acrylic flat and gloss. I actually find their gloss to be more luster.

If you haven't heard, the MPC Rubber Duck Mack isn't even close. It's been said the only accurate part in the kit is the hood ornament. I built up the AITM Rubber Duck Mack kit a couple of years ago. I still have to build the Snowman KW, have the decals and all the parts, just need the time to get to it. Then there's Pig Pens Mack from Convoy, the trailers, Spider Mike's Diamond T.....the list goes on.

Started work on the searchlight. Reflector from the bottom of an aerosol can. Pivot ring from Auslowe, barrel is a section of sheet stock formed around a can. Piece is cut to size and formed by using plastic wire ties to strap it to a mold, in this case, the same size aerosol can as the reflector. Important step, make sure the aerosol can is empty and drill several holes in each end! Submerge the can with the plastic sheet attached into almost boiling water for 5-10 minutes then run under cold water to set. I've used this technique before to form round truck fenders. The reflector was "polished" using Molotow. Whatever coating it had was well applied and wouldn't come off. I considered BMF but the compound curves would have been near impossible.

Started work on the tractor, engine is built, using the Cummins from the A64B based kit. From what I see in the rollover pics, looks like there was a Cummins in the movie truck. Cleaning up the cab, still have a bit of flash to remove before it goes to primer. Chassis is under way, I shortened the A64B chassis to closer match the proportions of the movie truck. The only dead on side shot of the tractor is the crash scene shot from overhead at a distance. To say reference material for this build is scarce is an understatement! Wheels are soaking in cleaner, then get cleaned up and primed. Long way to go and a short time to get there...........oops, wrong truck movie.......

Great looking build, well done!

Thanks, I think the worst part of the Husky will be the door decals!

Calling the trailer done. It was a bit more challenging than I anticipated but I think it's very close to the one in the movie. Now, on to the Brockway!

Wheels came in from Jamie, I decided to use the larger kit tires as the movie trailer appears to have larger skins. Also added are the tie downs. A few stills I've seen show just enough tie downs for the load with one extra right at the rear. The photo shows two different shades of white, one shade seems to be around these tie downs leading me to believe they were just added for the movie. Second pic is a mock up of the load. Next is mounting the load and strapping it down, then the headache rack up from and the trailer will be done.

Well done!

Good work, came out great!

X2!

Looks fine to me. I built one with the torsion bar suspension 40 years ago, don't recall having much trouble.

You have a great talent for weathering, looks very realistic!

In the previous post I forgot to thank those who made suggestions, I do appreciate all feedback. After a few hours work, the trailer structure has been re-enforced. I removed 1/8" of each rib to make room for a section of 1/8" square brass tube which is now glued in place. Some touch up painting and I'll be set. The brass is tucked in between the frame rails so it won't be seen except from underneath.

I thought about that....after the fact. Not sure I want to drill holes as I think the white glue will fail and I'll have a mess. Total weighs in at 1 2/3 lbs, the short stack is 1/3 lb and the tall ones are 2/3 lb each. I started working on re-enforcing the trailer last night, it's taking extra care as the trailer is all but done. Not much heavier than the Cat dozer so I'm not overly concerned. The rear tall stack is over the wheels, the front stack is just behind the pin.

Not yet, but it's not light. I've looked at the trailer wrt re-enforcement but not sure I can add strength where it's most needed. Trailer is done except for wheels and tires which limits what can be done. If the tires are hollow I'll certainly have to fill them.

Load was glued one layer at a time, 12 pieces wide as I counted from a movie still. The front and rear stacks are 12 high, the one in the middle is 6 high. I used a sheet of paper to glue up each of the 30 flats, provided a guide as well as keeping the work from sticking to the bench. First pic shows the assembly, second pic is the assembled loads. I'm leaving them rough as the ones in the movie don't appear to very neatly stacked.

The 348 was in an International school bus I drove in 1980. Gary Wallace's 4-71:

If it were me, I'd start over. I've done it several times because I found it faster than trying to fix paint problems. After lots of sanding, re-sprays didn't look right so I ended up stripping anyway. Now I save myself time and just dump in the purple pond. Solid colors can sometime be saved but the metalflakes/pearls get picky.

Built that Great Dane about 40 years ago, still have it. Have fun!

Load is 12 pieces wide. I'm gluing up flats of 12 and will then stack them, 12 high for the front and rear and 6 high for the center. That's 30 flats......made up 9 last night, seems like I can do 12/hr but need more room and weights for more than 6 at a time. I'm starting to think I might need to re-enforce the trailer frame, this stuff isn't exactly light.....

Great job with the chains! I'll have you make the next set I need! LOL!

Parts slowly trickling in. Still waiting on wheels and tires for both units. Meanwhile, this arrived in the mail yesterday: This pile of wood is the load for the trailer, all 360 pieces. Looks like I'll be busy for a while glueing them together.

Thanks everyone. You'll see how big the genset is when it sits on the back of the truck. Guess I shouldn't be surprized, a DD4-71 isn't exactly small. I would have liked a taller stack but it would have been over 13 feet once installed. I've added a tool box and gen fuel tank to the truck and the parts I ordered for the searchlight from down under are in, so it'll be total scratch build from here.