Old Albion

Chris, Another exceptionally well engineered model. That truck trailer combination looks great together. I like the wooden planks on the trailer bed. Nice touch! Dave

Chris, This is superb! I like the details, this really is a precission engineered model. Best Wishes Dave

I really like the Kenworth torsion bar suspension. I new there were some early AMT Kenworth kit(s) with this suspension but have not seen any. Does the Kenworth with the Challenge mixer have Torsion Bar Suspension? I also think there maybe a very early AMT Cab Over Kenworth that had the torsion bar. But not sure. Some time ago I bought an aftermarket Torsion Bar Suspension from Matt Burnett with the intensions of installing it on a W900A. I wanted something that was uniquely Kenworth and the suspension system certainly fits that bill. The truck has not been built or even started yet, but I have plans to try and make the suspension work. I don't know if it will be possible yet but we'll see. Dave

Ryan, Very impressive! Its amazing the interest this little Ford kit has generated. I will certainly be watching the progress on this one. Dave

Aaron, Many Thanks for bumping this one back to the top. I was looking for it a while back but could not find it. Whilst building my 12V71TTA Detroit in 1/16 I was looking for the correct Alpine Green colour and where to get it from. I checked the Duplicolor web site and found a colour selection chart for engine paints that the manufacture. Thought it might be of use to others so I posted the link below. It shows Cummins colours and Detroit but no Clatterpillar ones. I wonder if this is because Cat don't want other people selling products with their name on? We went through this with the aftermarket engines. http://www.duplicolor.com/products/colors/highheat.html Here is the Krylon chart: http://www.kpg-industrial.com/products/eng...t_with_ceramic/ Hope this helps Best Wishes Dave

Very Nice! That log load combined with the natural light and a very well built truck and trailer makes for one very interesting model. I like it. Dave

Kurt, Great Project! Very interesting to see all the scratch built parts and equipment. I especially like the items in the tool lockers great detail. I will certainly watch out for future updates! Good Luck with the rest of the build. Dave

Tim, I think we were all on the nay-sayer bandwagon back then. I'm just please that so many of the old kits are being released again. It would be nice for some newer models but my favourite era is 60s, 70s and into the 80s. So the old ones are OK for me. Dave

Les, I agree. Use sheet styrene or what ever is available and make what you want. Regards Dave

Tim, Many Thanks for the reply. That 352H looks superb and with Big Mamoo will become a definate build for the future. I just need to check on the Winslow stripes? Hey Murphey's Law that is a superb looking Pete! Do you recon the difference in MPG is due to the Streamlining or your heavy right foot? Best Regards Dave

Tim, Just a couple of observations regarding "Big Mamoo" in the last photo. The first is it looks superb! There is only one cover on one of the air horns and the wind shield wipers look odd to?? Also the air cleaners, I don't think I have seen any in that style before?? The two trucks either side of Big Mamoo are of interest. Did Peterbilt do anything with the 352 at that time to coincide with the introduction of Big Mamoo. From the photo it looks like they had the 352 painted as a matched pair Is the 352 an H model it looks quite tall? The little window yellow 359 on the left looks in immaculate condition. Was this the Dealers truck or a very carefull customer's. Best Regards Dave

Buba, Check Tim's Web site: http://timstrucks.web.aplus.net/tim.htm I personally don't like the later square head lights but much prefer either the single round headlights or the twin round headlights. They have a more traditional and classic look to me and help to give the vehicle its individual character. Small details like this are one of the attractions for me. As for the year you will probably find that the headlights were changed to coincide with changes in regulations. The square ones were probably more complient with the latest legislation at the time. At a guess early 1980's. Best Regards Dave

Charlie, Join the ATHS and put up a question on the members forum about the Hercules and let people know what your planning to do. If anyone knows about old trucks and engines the people on the ATHS forum do. Good Luck. Dave

Tim, Very Nice! I like the paint scheme I shall have to try the two colour body some day. Have you mastered the 389 headlights yet? I would love to see these as an aftermarket item. I was not keen o the 389 headlights, but they grow on you! The engine looks like the Detroit S60. Are Detroits' still offered by Peterbilt? I thought they had stopped fitting them? Come to think of it what is Peterbilt (Paccar) preffered engine these days? Good Luck with the rest of the build! Dave

Rick, Engine colours have been a subject we have discussed in detail on numerous occassions. I think Aaron had a sort of chart that he was working on. Maybe if he's reading this he could post the link. Peterbilt in the 70s and 80s painted all suppliers engines white. Tim will clarify the details. Peterbilt engines were probably only painted in the engine manufacturers colours if they were overhauled at a later date by the engine manufacturer. But for International I'm not sure what their prefered engine colour would be. If indeed they had one. If you paint the Kitty Cat yellow you will be OK though. Just say it has had a major overhaul at the Cat dealers and they painted it their yellow. Hope this makes sense. Best Wishes Dave

Rick, I had a check on the internet this morning before I went to work. I found a web site called: HeavyTruckParts.Net They have an International 4300 for sale on the web site. It has some photo's showing the Cat 1693T engine. http://www.heavytruckparts.net/detailview....archnum=3214392 Pipe work for the Air cleaner to the compressor on the turbo charger will be pretty easy. You must allow plenty of flexibility because the engine, frame and cab will move considerably when the truck is being used. Make sure you use a suitable size tube (plastic tube etc in our case and where you need a bend use The ribbed rubber intake elbow hoses. Check Sourkrauts web site look under engines. Some are resin some are rubber material. I like the resin ones, but your choice. http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/?page_id=...p;page_number=3 Hope this helps Best Wishes Dave

Jim, According to the kit instructions the engine is an International V800. 798 ci displacement. It is turbocharged and rated at 350 HP at 2600 RPM with a peak torque is 820 ft lbs. I have just been looking through truckpaper.com and have found some International 4300s. Could not find any sleeper cab versions, but have found day cab versions and Yes! International did offer Claterpillar engines. You do learn something new every day. http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/detail....70ce4536751cc6c http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/detail....70ce4536751cc6c http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/detail....70ce4536751cc6c http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/detail....70ce4536751cc6c http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/detail....70ce4536751cc6c Best Wishes Dave

Rick, I think I read somewhere that the 4300 came as standard with an Extended hood for much bigger engines. The 1970s were the beginning of the high horsepower engines. The big Detroit 12V71 had been out for a few years and was available in the twin turbocharged form (extremely Rare) rated at up to 525 HP. Claterpillar had just introduced their big 3408 V8 rated at 450 HP in standard setting with 18 litres displacement. But topping the lot was Cummins with the KTA 600. This was a beast and still is, but no longer available. Rated at 600 HP standard setting it had a displacement of 1150 ci or 19 litres. With engines like this putting that kind of power out with massive torque outputs it would be extremely important to spec the transmission, drive line, and rear axles correctly or you could have some serious problems. Cummins also offered the same block but as a KT450. It had no after cooler and maybe one or two other changes to the 600. But was obviously less power. These kind of engines take alot of space hence the reason why the truck builders offered extended hoods. Big power conventionals with extended hoods have a lot of appeal. If International were going to compete with the Peterbilt 359 Ext Hood and the Kenworth W900a then they had to have an extended hood not just for looks but for more practical reasons namely to get the engine in. I don't know if International fitted Claterpillar engines? But they did fit Detroit and Cummins as well as their own. Does anyone know of an International with a factory fitted Claterpillar engine? Just a few thoughts for you to consider. Oh yes one other thing if you were thinking of using the 4300 for hauling a low boy then that rear suspension is great. But driving long distances on the open road then you would might want to consider an air suspension. If you were interested in a 12V71 detroit it is available from Saurkrauts and the Cummins is available from Spaulding Trading and Shipping. Your truck your choice. Have fun! Best Wishes Dave

Rick, The sleeper is on its way. I put the original instructions in with it as well. If you are short of any other items I may have some items in my surplus box(es). So let me know. Truck specifications are an interesting subject. The truck manufacturers even today will build trucks to suit certain types of applications and then have a whole lot of standard options available to suit the specific needs of the owner. You don't just get a basic frame and then build the truck around it. No! Even the frame has to be specified. There are many Proffessional drivers on here who will tell you what ever you want to know about when specifying a truck. When considering the International if you think about the vehicles that were available in the 1970s. how would you have it specified? Just think about the many differant variables that would determine the final truck build. I have always been interested in trucks, the different variations on specifications is one of the important factors for me. A truck is nothing like a car. With a car you generally get what the manufacturer wants you to have. But with a truck you get what you want. You have to. If you get the wrong equipment you could be out of pocket or even worse out of business or dead. So there are no definate rights and wrongs regarding how a truck should look. Its the environment and the job of work that deternmines the appearance of a truck. You build it how you want it specified. Good Luck with the project! Best Wishes Dave

Kevin, I agree with Ben. This looks great. I love the shade of yellow you have used for your frame and the stripes on the cab are very realistic. I will certainly keep a check on this one. Great Work Dave

Rick, If you restore it and want the sleeper that came with the kit then let me know. When I built mine about 4 years ago I built it as a day cab. I don't think it would look right with a Pete sleeper on it. But thats your choice. Check my photo albumn below. It says Bottom dump trailer but should have said " with international 4300 tractor. By the way the kit engine is an International V8 rated at 350HP. May be 325 HP can'nt remember its along while since I looked at the information on the kit. http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/bottom-dump-trailer-/ Best Wishes Dave

Tom, These are superb!! I like all of them. The bus would look great in a Diarama with a Duel Pete 281. Great Work! Best Wishes Dave

I agree with the others. This is an outstanding example of Engineering in Miniature. Yes!! More than just a model. This should be in a museum so all can see. Great work and Many Thanks for sharing this great old truck with us. Best Wishes Dave

Bill, You built that in two months? Very Impressive!! What an excellent model ship. Thanks for sharing it with us. Best Wishes Dave

I agree. That truck or any of Bill's trucks would look good in my collection. The paint finish particularly the stripes are very impressive. Bill, Out of interest (If you don't mind me asking) how many trucks and trailers do you have in your collection? From what I have seen you have an indreadible output of model trucks and very few are any where near box stock. Thanks for posting your work we do appreciate your great standards of workmanship. Best Wishes Dave