Old Albion

Scott, As usual your standard of work and attention to detail is first class! Many Thanks for sharing this one with us. Dave

Dennis, Interesting thread. Yes I know it should be in the 1:1 section but interesting none the less. The green truck with the logging boom in the first photo is an AEC Matador probably 1940-1941 vintage. After the last war there was a great shortage of vehicles in Britain so many ex military vehicles found their way into Civy Street to fill a large gap. For those interested Howard at Kit Form Services has plans for releasing an AEC Matador early in 2011. Best Wishes Dave

Paul, I love the paint scheme, it looks great. With the load of timber this is going to be a very impressive rig. Thanks for sharing Dave

Looks great so far. The engine colour looks perfect. Dave

Kurt, Thanks for posting all those great looking models. Are some of them 1/16 scale? They look quite big compared to vehicles next to them. Dave

Matt, Whale 392, Reference availability of "C" channel for long frames. Check the link out below. http://www.ema-models.co.uk/catalogue/0073-channels.html You should be able to get material similar in the US and other countries. I bought some for a future 1/16 frame for a 359. ABS is very strong but make sure you use the right kind of adhesive else it wont glue. Dave

Kurt, Your standards of work are second to none. A very interesting build and well finished. Dave

The Kenworth looks great! The 110" Sleeper looks right and in keeping with the overall look of the truck. Matthew, Interesting comment about the splicing of the frame when stretching. Altenatively make some new frame rails out of C Channel. That way there would be no splice. But I think it would still need strengthening. I wonder if you could use the structural strength of the sleeper to strengthen the frame? Just a thought. Dave

Tim, Both these trucks look great. The colours suit them well. The 330 would look good with a van body. Dave

This thing certainly looks a beast. Very Impressive! I like the opening doors and the hood. The weathering on the engine looks very convincing and the cab detail is just great! Excellent build. Thanks for sharing. Dave

Sergey, The torsion bar suspension as used by Kenworth was a very good light weight reliable system. Torsion Bar suspension systems have been around for a long time. The germans used them to good effect on their tanks in the WWII. Jaguar used the torsion bar on the front suspensions on the XKE through the 60s and 70s. The only down side of the suspension is it is a toatal mechanical system so you must carryout your routine lubrication and inspection schedules. Otherwise you will have problems. I have plans to build a few Kenworths with this suspension in both 1/25 and 1/16. I am going to see if I can make it operational. We'll see. If you want to see some photos of the suspension as fitted check out my photo's from the ATHS show in Hutchinson Kansas. http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/aths-convention-08-/ Hope this helps. Dave

Tim, Thanks for the information. I think I will try and pick a kit up this weekend at the model shop. Dave

Jim, Very nice indeed! The W900a is one of my all time favourite trucks. This example is coming along great. The NTC 350 looks right for the length of hood, it also looks good in white. I don't think you will have much trouble with the air intakes. Thanks for sharing. Dave

Yes, I could do with a wife like that!! Dave

Tony, I will check with the model shop. If they have it in stock it will be coming home with me. I wonder if the lights work? Who knows. Lets wait and see. Dave

I agree with Scott. That is an excellent build! The wrecking gear looks very impressive. Great looking truck. Dave

I was just checking my local model shop web site and came across an Italeri 1/24 Pete 378 kit I have not seen before. Thought I would share it with the rest of the forum. http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/italeri-peterbilt-long-hauler-3857-p-23565.html?osCsid=392418fdc54d90c02ae85fe150d82176 Dave

Tony, I have just tried to send a PM. It says "The member can not use the messaging system" Dave

Many Thanks for the kind comments. They are appreciated and make the whole project that more worthwhile. Tim, Thanks for the details of the Trailking trailer they will come in usefull. Tony, Yes i am interested in the parts you have. I would also be very interested in some heavy duty drive axle tyres if they are available. I will send you a PM with my E-mail address. Do you have a web site with these parts on? Ray, I agree! It is a shame not to detail on a kit this big. The only problem is knowing when to stop. Leo, I hope that other builders feel inspired to have a go themselves at these type of projects. They are fun to do. Thanks again everyone. Best Wishes Dave

I agree with Jim. If you are looking for a W900A with an extended hood this is the one. There was a blue W900A but it is quite rare and expensive. So the Yellow Blue Circle version is an excellent alternative, with, as Jim says some extra parts thrown in the box. I bought a couple of part kits of the Australian KW about a year ago form a guy off of Ebay. Very Oddly these were both missing the engine and transmission, wheels and the sleepers. They were more like glider kits. But for me were perfect and just what I needed for a couple of future builds. I still cannot work out what the guy wanted with two engines, wheels and sleepers from two kits. Still his loss my gain. I think I paid about $ 20.00 for them. The packing and freight cost more than the kits. Dave

Chris, Great looking trailer! Nice to see another kit available to us modelers. Many Thanks Dave

Tim, Many Thanks for the kind words. The low boy will be a challenge since there are no kits available and no aftermarket parts for wheels, tyres, suspensions etc. I liked the look of the red lowboy you sold on ebay recently and might use that as a base or prototype. I also have details of lowboys from Rogers Trailers. Their web site has a great deal of information for the modeller. http://www.rogerstrailers.com/514-002/trailer_details.php Thanks again for the comments. Best Wishes Dave

Ryan, That photo really does explain things. I take it that the driver gets out before dumping? Many Thanks Dave

Mark, I think you might be better off checking some of the online model shops, or try the aftermarket suppliers, failing that ebay. Good Luck with your search. Dave

Bill, I really like the look of this rig. Very Impressive. Those AITM wheels look just right and the colours work well. Just one question. What is the water tank for? Was this for cooling of the brake drums? Dave