Warren D

I'll be following this thread. I asked Auslowe if they would consider making one, even if was only the superstructure/booms/winches. I think the body/deck is easy enough to fab and there are lots of different looks to the body. I have the 1/25 First Gear Holmes body that I'm either going to use as a pattern or modify for my next project.

I did mention the steps in the original post, and will cover the tank build when I get to them. I don't have the emblem cast in but there are a pair of silver decals that read RL700L. I haven't inspected all the little bits yet so there may be something else. The silver decals appear too large for the hood anyway.

Well, it'll be a first for me, first all-resin build. I've done some conversions and a few 3D prints, but never all resin. Should be interesting. I will be making my own tanks, and have parts on their way for that. I did get the front axle mounted a couple of days ago, will have to post a pic. The front axle needs to move forward a hair to make the front tires sit right in the wheel wells. Working on the cab next, getting the back of the cab as well as the back of the interior cut out for the pass thru for the sleeper.

This really makes me wish someone would make parts for a Holmes 750.......so many ideas.....

My guess is that you could have one hoist on the truck and not need dump trailers. Probably cheaper and there aren't any hydraulic lines to hook to the trailer, less chance of leaks?

I've started the AITM Rubber Duck Mack. I'll be posting some of my thoughts along the way, as well as some photos. First issue is the fuel tanks. The early AITM Kits came with short tanks, and their website and instructions still show this. The kit now includes long tanks as that seems to be the version seen most often in the movie. The first unit truck had the longer tanks. I will probably end up doing my own tanks as the kit tanks have 3 straps while the movie truck only has 2. The steps are also different and I have parts coming from Auslowe that should enable me to replicate the movie look a little better. I started work on the chassis, the resin frame was almost perfectly straight out of the box. It appears to have some metal reinforcement. I've been cleaning parts and going thru things for a while now as well as doing some research. One thing I found was that someone on a different forum thought the space between the duals waas too wide. After taking a look I decided that the gap did look too wide so I narrowed it. It might still be a tad too wide, but looks ok to my eye. The rear suspension went together ok, some adjustment needed to get the unit to sit square on the chassis. I will be doing a mock-up of the cab next to be sure the front axle placement is where it should be. That's about it for now, not much progress but I don't have much time this time of year. With a rainy week ahead, I might actually get something accomplished. I do my chassis work on a sheet of glass as seen in the photos below as it is the easiest way I've found to have a totally flat surface to work on.

Thanks

Finally heard back from him, he's been busy.

Just curious if anyone has received an order from them lately?

Does anyone make these in 1/25 scale? Just about every truck in this area had them years back and I had them on my pick up and K5 Blazer. They worked very well and I still see them on vintage trucks at shows. I don't recall ever seeing them in the aftermarket but I sure would like to add them to most of my builds. Thanks,

Looks interesting. Is this based on something you've seen or more of a "what if"?

Looks good. Interesting spacing between the rear axles, is that straight from the kit?

Great News! According to their FB page, Nigel has decided to continue on and keep developing new products. The overwhelming support of the truck modelling community has apparently over-shadowed a few complainers.

I hope the outpouring of support convinces Nigel that the MAJORITY of his customers are not only satisfied but grateful that he contributes so much to our hobby.

Thanks for posting this Tom. I saw the FB post the other day and was going to post a notice here but, as old age sets in, I forgot. We all need to support Auslowe in this, I don't know which forum they were being attacked on, hopefully not this one. I can't understand why someone would trash a vendor over shipping issues but in these days of the internet when one can hide behind a screen, I guess it's easy to stab someone in their back when you don't have to look them in the face. I have reached out to Auslowe in support, hopefully the more people who do will have a positive effect on their upcoming decision. They have unique items that just aren't available anywhere else.

Just to add a note about the AITM RD kit, it now comes with the longer fuel tanks which were in all but couple of the scenes of the movie. The instructions and website photo show the small tanks. I asked Dave and he said he had many comments that the longer tanks were correct for the 1st unit truck whereas the short tanks were on a 2nd unit truck they crashed into the jail.

Agreed. So many cool wreckers at truck shows, Autocars, Brockways, Diamonds, Internationals, all old school. With the cab offerings from AITM, you'd have tons of choices.

Thanks, I've seen his stuff. It looks pretty good and the prices seem very reasonable. Mostly stuff for small trucks, the wrecker bodies are too new for this project also.

Thanks for finding that, I had search his name but only found dead links.

I think there were more than three from what I have read. At least one was scrapped, the main one was restored by Mack and went on to be a dump truck. Another became a mixer. The dump still lives as a cab/chassis as of about 5 years ago. One that did the truck show scene (maybe the GA one?) was made from parts of 2. There seems to be some differences between them, maybe the most notable is the size of the fuel tanks. AITM is now providing the longer tanks by popular request. There is supposed to be one in a museum in the mid-west.

Found the thread from a few years ago of the builder in Russia. Awesome job, lots of good detail photos. His engine appears to be light blue.

Thanks, that was the reason I bought the AITM kit. Figured it was easier than trying to modify other kits. I thought I read they used 3, but you can't believe everything you read on the internet!

Thanks I already studied the movie, even trying to look past the wheel wells. Did you notice that the driveshaft was missing when it when over the side? I read where the truck they used for that scene died just before and they pushed it off with a dozer.

Thanks. I've seen a few wrecker bodies fabbed here, not sure I can accomplish that. I was thinking of one of the First Gear 1/25 diecast but they get a good price (still cheaper than the KFS) and I'm not sure I can accomplish in metal what I can with plastic and wood.

I've been looking around for one, they seem rare as hen's teeth. Just curious if anyone has seen one, if so, where? KFS seems to indicated they might make more......some day. Otherwise, are there any other resin kits? Looking for the old school wrecker bodies, Holmes 750's seemed to be the choice of the day. 1/25 scale.