Jürgen M.

First step is done! Not perfect yet but better than expected considering the trailer walls aren't smooth! Now I'll mask for the blue stripes!

Printed the graphics in decal paper but the colors just doesn't come out even, especially the green! So I began to draw lines in the trailer walls so I can paint it and then put the "Magnavox" decals on! So now I have to stop with the coffee to keep my hand calm! 😉

Some progress on the trailer! This is just a mock-up in order to enable first contact between truck and trailer: And a decal mock-up: The decal print didn't come out that good. Luckily it's just paper. No harm done! I'll give it one more try. If it still comes out like this I'll probably paint the stripes and just make decals of the writing.

That's true, Brian. But as I said, a lot of filament would be needed and I'd have to split the long parts at least into 3 pieces each. I also wanted to build a kit again after such a long time!

What would we do without a lunch break? I actually got the trailer parts painted! I also exchanged the support wheels and attached printed flat supports I had designed for the trailers of my "Big Nasty" build. I designed and printed a spare wheel holder. I saw that there was one on the passenger side and I added a "u" shaped brass rod to the air hose bracket so the hoses can be just slipped on instead of trying to glue them in place! As a spare I'm using an AMT rim I had in the box!

I managed to mask the trailer parts hoping to find time to paint today! First coat and on most parts the final one too will be a flat light gray! Revell no. 76. The roof will then get a silvery, sort of aluminium touch. For that I'll use the no name dull chrome spray I used for the fuel tanks!

Nice! I like that kit. I used to have the old version. Wasn't called "Cross Country Hauler" back then. I had built it like shown on the cover but unfortunately it didn't survive a move! It got crushed as a heavy chair fell on the moving box. Glad to see it's back on the market. Have fun. I'm sure this will be an awesome build!

I managed to fix the brake chambers and completed the chassis and under body of the trailer! The sliding of the chassis works pretty well! The brake lines will be attached after painting. The crank cross shaft was already broken in the box so I used a piece of 1mm brass rod! Now the painting can begin!

It's a typical AMT kit! Lots of cutting, sanding, ....! Two of the brake chambers broke. Have to fix them! Why do they make these parts in chrome? For a trailer?? 🙈 That makes it even harder to detach them. I'm tempted to print new ones that are not so fragile!

I began assembling the trailer chassis:

Thanks Jeff! I also hope they'll arrive soon! Don't know why it's taking so long! At least now I can do something again!

Finally I have something to do on this build again! Not what I hoped because the cabs Bren printed for me haven't arrived yet but the trailer did! I purchased this AMT Watkins reefer not wanting to print the side walls, roof and floor in several pieces. That would be a waste of time and filament! I purchased it on eBay for 40€ plus shipping which was a good deal. Shipping isn't that expensive so it was cheaper than buying a cheaper one from further away. Of course there's quite some pre-work to do. The side wall notches don't really fit the floor pins so I used 90° styrene rails to enable a solid attachment and more stability! The pins will be removed before assembly! I also designed the trailer decals which I will first print on paper to make sure the size is OK. The plate is not the original as in the movie since that is not legible at any point. I just got a short but blurry glance at it and saw that it was white! Of course I'll have to print the side wall decals in two pieces a side but that's not a problem! Next step will be the removing of the floor pins and assembly of the chassis and its attachment to the floor so I can paint it in one piece!

If I may make a comment to the issue 'non drying lines': I have made the experience that glossy and satin paints take much longer to dry on those lines than flat ones! But that's only based on Revell colors. Maybe that helps a bit!

Thanks Gary! Hope the cab arrives soon. I can't do anything at the time. The reefer should arrive Wednesday. Then at least I can work on something and create the decals!

Thanks very much Bren! You're absolutely right. It's a great time to be a modeller. Next to printing also scratch building has increased in possibilities by improved materials. Combining both you can really get the best out of modelling! Some of you guys have scratch building skills I can only dream of so I try to substitute that by designing and printing. And with your skills in resin printing I am now again able to put another nice truck on my shelf! I too enjoy challenges! This IH cab was one! I'd be happy to accept a challenge of yours! 😊 Hope the cabs arrived soon. Can't wait to work on this build again. By the way, the reefer will be a kit. It would mean a great deal of time to print it. Took me 5 days to print the pups when I built the "Big Nasty" Mack! I already purchased the Watkins reefer on eBay! The decals will of course be self made again.

And the original "Western Star" key chain! 😉 Great job! Can't imagine this getting better! Impossible!

Killing time with minor mock-ups! A little ashtray, grille, lights, ... The fit ist not perfect on this dummy cab but good enough to get the idea! Bren has put the cab on its way! Should arrive by end of the week!

Yes, that's quite nice! I really appreciate Bren's efforts seeing how terrible my cab came out! But it's good enough for adjusting decals and positioning parts like the lower grille. I'll have to mix the Paint for the cab. It looks like an off white. I'll just put some yellow in the plain white. Should work!

The new dash: Looks a bit better than the old one. Still not perfect but good enough!

Thanks pal! I hope it'll look as good as I expect it to when it's finished! 🤞

Not having done anything the last few days I decided to print a dummy-cab from a faulty file. It came up to the window line looking quite OK, then started to show more cavities than material so I stopped the print. It's cause is to adapt the decals and to see if it fits together with the tub in assembly. It fits perfectly! Still some work to do on the location of the cab sided hinges but the cab tilts and fits over the shifter. I then designed the decals and printed a first shot which looks quite satisfying. I attached them with little pieces of double sided carpet tape. Still need some attention though. I also added the side steps to the cab below the "Transtar" plates. (Of course I only attached one temporarily to see how it looks). Now the cab has the correct height and so will the bumper! It's also (more or less) adapted to the Transtar II design that way! In consequence I also decided to make a new dash according to the Transtar II. It's not perfect, it should have stretched a bit more to the center of the dog house but I'll leave it that way! The wall to the sleeper will be closed. Therefore I will not bother making a bed or any panel work. And now, the best news: Bren actually made it! After I was able to simplify the file of the cab a bit he managed to print a very nice looking cab. Thanks again very very much, Bren! I more than appreciate the time, patience and effort you put into this! Saved me again! 😉 Hope it's OK that I posted a few of your cab pics? Can't wait to get them in my hands and start integrating one into my build!

That's a real beauty Ron. Awesome combination. I like the color scheme too. Very nice build! Just like I know them from you! 😉

Hey Steve, good to see you back! Remarkable work you're doing. I always enjoy following your builds. I told Jeff (Biggu) a while ago that I was thinking about a tribute 1/32 rebuild of my Rubber Duck Mack with trailer. I was planning on making a diorama of the introduction scene of Convoy in 1/32 with the XKE. That might be my next project after I hopefully finish the 4070b. The printing of the cab has brought up some problems but I'm very confident that Bren will succeed!

Are you referring to the original version of the Convoy song? Otherwise I don't know what you mean! 🤔

A few small things more: filler necks and a bit of touch up here and there! The chassis is therefore completed! Now I'll begin to paint the interior so everything is ready when the cab arrives! I know, it's from the "a" but as I said, it won't be visible up on the shelf!