Old Albion

Wow Tim!! That wasp must be all of 2 feet long!! Talk about the effects of global warming. Interestingly here in Britain we have had plagues (Well maybe not plagues of them but lots of them) of wasps this year. Bit of a nuisance at times especially when your eating or drinking something sweet when outside. As for the wrecker excellent build as usual. Best Wishes Dave

Another superb looking truck! The big Ford is an unusual looking truck by todays standards. But I can imagine it was pretty much in keeping with the styles of the 50s and 60s. Of course nowadays it would pobably make quite a collectors item. Great work as usuall Best Wishes Dave

Bill, Great looking truck! Try a Detroit 471N, 671N or maybe a 6V71. Check Sourkrauts store he has them available. Best Wishes Dave

DWC43, The Paystar is an excellent truck to build. I think the Paystar semi tractor was the first truck kit I built about 30 years ago. When I got back into modelling about 4 or 5 years ago the Paystar dump truck and mixer were some of the first that I built. The kits are pretty straight forward and very versatile (Just look at how many Tim has used for all kinds of truck builds). I remember one little problem though, be carefull with the fit of the dump box to the frame. On mine I had to modify the position of the hinges to allow the dump box to sit further back so the tail gate was behind the ends of the frame. I have some of the Alclad products but have not used them yet, but have plans in the future to try it out. Kurt, Thanks for posting the photo of the Pete. Its great to be reminded of some of your great builds from the past. You need to get them out in the daylight more often. Truly Inspirational stuff!! Best Wishes Dave

James, Very Impressive!! I like the extra details that you have fitted adds more interest to an already very interesting fire truck. I look forward to seeing this finished. Best Wishes Dave.

Ray, Thanks for the comments. Its good to hear from you again. How is the Pete running? Chuck, Yes I will be making a working Tarp system. I will be plumbing the air lines and hydraulic lines but probably not the electrics. My fingers are a bit too big for that kind of detail! The trailer is based on a 1972 Advantage trailer that I found for sale in truckpaper.com It looked just what I was looking for. Right number of axles, right year for the Autocar, right size shape etc. Just a great looking trailer. My model trailer differs slightly I have air suspension fitted on all axles (The front two are air lift axles, well my version) The frame will be painted blue as the tractor and the body will be grey and use ordinary enamel paints. I'm not very good at painting so I prefer to use the simple enamels. Thanks for commenting Best Wishes Dave

Hello Folks, Appologies for not posting for a while. Its been a pretty busy time this summer and have not been able to make much progress on any of my projects. Sounds familiar? Anyway I have done some work on the trailer and truck. The trailer wheels arrived a couple of months ago and I have finally got them painted and weathered. I temporarily fitted them to the trailer just to see how they look. I made some rear fenders for the Autocar and fitted them also. I have the brass sheet for the butterfly hood, once this is made its painting, which I am hoping to complete through the Autumn and probably have the whole thing done by Christmas. " Best made plans of mice and men" springs to mind. http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/autocar-...complete01.html Best Wishes Dave

Ray, Thanks for the comments! Which model Cummins are you looking at? The inline 6 Cummins from a scratch build will be a lot easier than the 12V71 since there are less parts and it is not as complicated. Well in theory anyways! Probably turn out to be more complicated?? Anyways I would be keen to see how you get on and what methods you use to overcome the build problems that you will no doubt encounter. But its great to hear that you are prepared to have a go. Thats the biggest hurdle. Once you make the commitment and make a start its suprising how fast things will develop. As far as materials go I use the usual Plastruct and evergreen sheet. The block on the Detroit is actually hollow made of 1.5mm thick sheet glued together. The heads and rocker covers are made from a sheet of ABS that we had lying around the works. This material works very well I'm quite pleased with the results. You should be able to get this type of material from an Industrial plastics suppliers. The flywheel housing is made from a piece of drain pipe. I have started the superchargers but haven't get to the turbochargers yet. The important thing is to use your imagination and if you see something lying around that might be usefull keep hold of it. You never know. Your biggest expense will probably be the nuts and bolts. I used the brass ones but I do believe that there are some plastic ones available from somewhere but cannot remember where? Scratch build a transmission?? Yes I have thought about it and have some plans. The big stumbling block will be the bell housing. My idea is to get a batch turned on a CNC lathe to get the right profile they can then be finished by hand. The actual transmission itself should be pretty straight forward. I am thinking of a Spicer 6 speed main with a 4 speed air shift auxillary attached to it. Does anyone have any detailed photo's of this?? I would like to scartch build a set of extended leaf walking beam rear suspensions also. But thats a way off yet. Best Wishes and good luck with the Cummins. Dave

Wow! Ray I never new you were at ATHS convention in Hutchinson last year. I also have some photo's of this KW. I stayed in Witchita during my visit. On the last day of the convention when I was on my way back to Witchita in the late afternoon I stopped at a rest area just south of Hutchinson where Highways 50 and 96 cross (There was a lot of road construction going on then) This KW pulled into the stop to refuel. Driver left it running whilst he filled up. It sounded superb. You could hear it coming about a mile away. I took some photo's of it at Hutch. http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/aths-con...convent-36.html http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/aths-con...convent-37.html http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/aths-con...convent-38.html http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/aths-con...convent-39.html http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/aths-con...convent-40.html It is also on Youtube: I was going to try and get to the ATHS convention this year in Huntsville Alabama but I have other commitments. Best Wishes Dave Bates

James, Very impressive the weathering looks great! Best Wishes Dave

Greenie, Wow!! That is increadible. An exceptional standard of work and detail. Many Thanks for sharing this with us. Best Wishes Dave

Ray, Thanks for the details on the Fruehauf trailer. It would be great to get more aftermarket parts for 1/16 scale. I tried the Auslow/White Fang site but its under construction. Not sure where else to look for 1/16 aftermarket parts?? Anyways I have made some progress on the Detroit. The rear auxillarydrive is complete and I have installed the rear breather to the top of the block. http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/116-12v7...rydrive001.html Next up will be the superchargers, governor, fuel pump and turbochargers. Thanks for looking. Best Wishes Dave

Rick, Great question and one I would wager that quit a few people would like some answers to. Detroit V12 reference material. Hmm! not as easy as some people may think. The 12V71 is not a common sight these days and as for the 12V71TTA its as rare as hens teeth unless you know where to look. We don't have any big 2 stroke Detroits here in Britain. They were used in heavy earthmoving plant and machinery, but due to all the environmental nonesence they have been virtually wiped out. So where to look. You are fortunate that in the USA and Canada there are still a number of the big Detroits working for their living. I like to look through Truckpaper.com, ebay, youtube etc. Type in Detroit 12v71 and see where your search takes you. There is a great deal of material on the internet. Detroits still have a big following. Search under logging trucks, earthmoving machinery, generators etc. But the one item of reference I could not do without is the Detroit Diesel Engine V71 Highway Vehice Service Manual. Check e-bay there was a couple up for grabs yesterday. If you can get to an old truck show you might find a truck with the V12 Detroit. The owners are usually very peased to discuss their baby and like have its photo taken. Join the ATHS (www.aths.org) Join the members discussion forum and post a question for photo's, details etc. Check my photo albums. http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/ Look in the one for the ATHS convention in Hutchinson Kansas 2008 also check my A64B Autocar. Good Luck and Best Wishes Dave

Ben, Just added a few new photo's. I haven't been able to do any work on the trailer or Autocar this Easter. Been working in the yard and been helping my Brother-in-Law collect a used Caterpillar fork truck. Excellent little machine a V50 with a 4 cylinder 1404 propane engine. Only 6 years old and in very good condition. http://public.fotki.com/oldalbion/autocar-...with-5/001.html The quality of the photo's is not to good. The white plastic reflects to much light hiding details. Yes you have guessed I am no expert with a camera. Best Wishes Dave

Rick, This is exceptional work! Superb standard and some great ideas. I would never have thought about installing real studs to the wheels and the brake shoes, just great. I shall be watching out for this one definately! Good Luck with the rest of the build. Best Wishes Dave

Rick, Great looking truck. I like the colour scheme it suits it well. Best Wishes Dave

Les, This is a superb standard of workmanship. It has to be said that the standards of the first time builders on this forum is outstanding to say the least. Very very impressive. I will certainly look out for up dates. Best Wishes Dave

James, This is a superb standard of workmanship. Very impressive! I like the dash details and the colour. Its nice to see an every day work truck, much prefer them to show trucks. Keep us posted on progress! Best Wishes Dave

Rick, Very impressive and very ambitious! Have you any photo's closer up? I would like to have a look at some of the details. They may help me with some of my own ideas for a build that I have ongoing. Good Luck with the rest of the build and keep us posted. Best Wishes Dave

David, Don't know of any current Diamond T conversions from that era. I'm sure there were some old Diamond Ts available from I think RNK conversions???? But they are no longer manufacturing. Good Luck with your search. Dave

Andy, That is a superb looking project! I have just been looking through your albums. Wow!! What an excellent collection of trucks. Very impressive and a very high standard of build. What do you do for your decals? Bets Wishes Dave

Many Thanks for the kind comments! I will get some additional photo's this weekend and put them up on my Fotki site. The trailer sides are made from sheet styrene (evergreen, etc) The strengthening ribs are plastruct box section. Fot the dirt sheds i cut out individual pieces of styrene, carefully shaped to fit. The Detroit engine colour on my Autocar is not quite the right colour. The correct colour is Detroit Alpine Green. I think Duplicolor supply this???? There have been one or two posts in the past regarding engine colours. But cannot remember which ones. Maybe try a search on Detroit Alpine Green?? I'm going to try and get ready for paint over the Easter weekend. Things are certainly starting to warm up here now. Spring is definately in the air and my favourite month. The only downside is we are rapidly approaching the Hayfever season. Best Wishes Dave

Interesting collection of trucks. Never seen those card ones before. Many Thanks for sharing them. Best Wishes Dave

Many Thanks for the kind words! I don't know anything about casting in resin. So I decided that it had to be done in such a way that it could easily be made from readily available raw materials. If it was cast more people could have a 1/16 scale DD 12V71 or a 12V71TTA. (Appologies for my selfishness) This one for me is a prototype, a personal test to see if it can be done. Maybe if one or two people see a successfull outcome it might prompt them to have a go. I must admit it has been very enjoyable so far. I am working on the Compressor and the rear auxillary drive at the present time. Hopefully I will finish this part by the end of the week and then I will start on the Superchargers, turbochargers and then the front of the engine. The way I look at it I have overcome the biggest hurdle: Making a Start. Building big scale engines is ideal for someone with a CNC Milling machine (Like crispy67). They could be rattled out like shelling peas. This maybe a better option than casting in resin. Scratchbuilding is time consuming and the bolt and nut heads are very expensive. How is resin casting with large components. After this one a Cummins KTA600 and then maybe a Cummins 335 and a Pete 351 who knows what the future has install. Many Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment. Best Wishes Dave

I agree what a superb looking truck!! Very impressive. Best Wishes Dave