Warren D

I've only built the AMT Aerodyne, following this one. Those injector pins look to be a real pain!

I have seen a resin H cab by "The Backyard Shed" but no current info on them.

This is coming together great! I'll have to look into punches and Meng bolts.

Found this nice 1970 Autocar. Might be a future project if I can find the correct radiator.

As I started looking at grapples, I discovered I needed to add some more hydro lines. That's now done, extra length until I get the grapple built. While out trying to photograph bald eagles this morning, I ran across a beautiful 50 year old Autocar 10 wheel logger with a loader. Wouldn't you know, the grapple was just what I was looking for! Looks like a much better style than I've seen on the 'net. The cab got color this morning, have to wait a few days for it to set up before masking for the second color on the fenders. Now you can see the purpose of the slightly darker yellow on the doors, there was a cab logo decal there that has been removed. I used the salt technique for a little rust on the cab lower sill and door corners.

Good point.

For a long time, I've felt that the modern autos lack the individuality that they had back in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Each year there were changes, some bigger than others but in my younger days, I knew each year for each make and model as they all had differences. Now, most autos look the same and don't change much at all from year to year. I know the economics of it, that's not the point. Trucks never changed year to year like the cars did but they did differ enough so you could tell them apart. It seems that the modern trucks lack the personality of the older ones and liike the cars most look alike. Could be I'm in denial as I get older and want to stay stuck in the earlier times.... I offer this as a point of conversation and discussion.

Thanks for the kind words. I had better hurry up and finish this before I think of more things to do to it! Just last night, after looking at the updated crane photo, I realized I'm not really done. The grapple will need hydraulic lines and I've figured out in my mind how to run them, it's just a matter of doing it. Just when you think you're almost done.......And, I'm almost out of color for the crane and log trailer, good thing I recorded the mix proportions so I can mix more. It might not be exact, but that will just fit this build even better! Tonight the cab will get some love as well and I should have half the two-tone color on this weekend.

Crane is almost done, need to scratch build the grapple and do some weathering. Having several components can be interesting, if I get bored with one part, I've got several more to choose from.

Very well done! That casting looks very crisp!

Also looks like you could remove some material from the bottom of the spring hangers where they contact the frame. Can't tell from the photo angle if the bottom bolts of the hangers are below the frame but looks like it. Looks to be plenty of meat on those castings.....

You could always put a small block between the rear axle and springs to lower the rear of the frame. Might look a bit odd though.

That came out great!

Wheels and rims look gray to me. Maybe battleship gray as there was plenty of that color paint left after WW2.

Front track width is something I've run into with the older trucks, it's the front springs that is the problem. You've figured out one solution, hey, whatever works.. Modern stuff is just too wide. As for the rear height, most of the trucks of the era you are building were under-sprung, meaning springs were too weak. You'll see more pics of them sitting on the ground than up in the air. I ran into the same thing with my White 3000 build, the Lindberg Dodge tractor's butt was sitting high in the air. I picked up the front a bit but was also able to remove a couple of leafs from the rear as the axle was below the springs.

Outstanding level of detail. I've never seen a sander that didn't have a screen of some sort on the top. Lumps are death to the conveyor chain and the driver will spend more time outside the truck clearing the spreader than putting product on the road!

Got the cab in primer, interior of cab is painted. The paint on the door panels will be explained later. Chassis is in color, waiting for the paint to set up before going any farther.

Yeah, it's pretty long. When I get the larger Cat excavator on it, then it will be huge!

Interesting, when looking at the operator's seat it looks like 1/25, same size as a Mack Cruiseliner I'm working on. I also have a KFS Cat excavator (Resin 1/24 scale) which is a monster by comparison. At some point I'll put the deck extensions on the trailer and load 'er up!

Thanks again, everyone, for your kind words. I'm not sure it this is my best build but it certainly is a favorite so far. I love the look of the older Holmes wreckers with the lattice booms! I've almost considered spending my retirement money on one......

Probably use the ones from the kit, might see if I have something around the yard that would look to scale, might check O scale model RR scenery......that will be the finishing touch which is still a long way away.

Thanks for the idea, I might try a modified version. I still anticipate needing to drop the hitch point due to the tall tires on the truck. I'm close to that point, have the tires on the trailer rims as of last night so I can do the mock up tonight.

Not sure I understand the question. Both bunks articulate and it would seem to be better to have the pintle pivot as close to the front bunk pivot point as possible, ie, shorter frame.

That's mostly noise in the photo. They are "grimy black" which isn't as stark as a pure black. Close to the color of the real ones....

Welcome back. The best way is to break it down into small projects and then add them together. I'm always looking ahead (kinda like playing chess) to anticipate what I might need to do before I have to do it. Already messed up with the crane, but did catch a few bugs with the trailer (namely that it is meant for an AMT tractor which has a slightly different frame width than the resin one I'm using!) being that the truck is going to be taller than a stock AMT kit, I'm already planning on making a pintle plate for the rear of the chassis to keep the trailer wheels sitting on the ground.