Jürgen M.

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!

Thanks Brian! Don't know yet when the cab will be finished! For the others, Bren has generously declared that he will print the cab for me! Thanks again Bren! 😊👍

The tanks are painted and ready to mount: I used a no name chrome spray that actually has a nice dull effect. Looks more like aluminium than any model paint I know! Mounted they look pretty nice too! The tanks are pieces of 25mm aluminium pipe and the ends are slatted plugs. Works great. I did the same on my Superliner! Now I need the filler necks. They'll be printed!

There is a guy here in Germany who has a replica of the R.D. Mack. He bought it from someone in the US and brought it over here. It's not totally authentic though. Sleeper is different, no original plates, ... but he once showed it to Kris Kristofferson before a concert. Kris was impressed about the Remake quality but didn't seem to be that happy to see the truck since he didn't have such good memories about making the movie. I don't know if all of the actors in the movie would have thought that way? No way to find out anymore since they've almost all passed away. Only Franklyn Ajaye is still alive. And Ali MacGraw. No matter what they would have thought, I love the movie and the trucks in it and I'll try to keep it alive as long as possible!

Thanks Jeff! As far as I know there are hardly any trucks of that movie left. I therefore have no idea if this truck still exists!

I worked out the exhaust system. Not as smooth as I had hoped but good enough for this build! The fuel tanks are primered. Hope to get the chrome in tomorrow!

Thanks guys! I actually used the same steering as in all my models. The only thing new is the steering gear and the connectors to the wheel. I am quite proud to see it work though! Just like the fitting of the cab in the engine. There were so many places it could have collided. The clearance between the tub and the valve covers is less than 1mm.

The shifter fits perfectly and the tilting of the cab will work fine! It's still a bit shaky though cause the tilting axle I used here is too thin. It's just for try outs. VID_20250604_160121~3.mp4 I also printed the grille and side trim. Looks OK! Maybe It could use a bit of improvement though!

The steering parts: Put together and mounted: And it works too: VID_20250604_110414~2.mp4 This is about the smallest you can print in a filament printer, especially when you need functioning parts!

I took off the tub and worked on the chassis and engine. Still have to work out the exhaust system. Toughy! Fuel tanks are printed and painted. As soon as they're dry I'll assemble them and add the cable ties I always use as straps. Then I can mount them. The cable ties are my standard as straps. I've designed a few different types of brackets all made to tuck away the heads. And you can paint them any color you like! Even chrome! I've also made a steering gear in a similar way as in the Ertl kit! More to come soon!

A mock-up to see if the cab will fit over the engine without collisions: Up to now everything fits perfectly! Quarter fenders are just mocked up, they still need a bit of adjustment. The rear panel, fifth wheel, battery box and air cleaner are permanently in place!

Wheels are mounted! Hubs are next. Then the air cleaner and exhaust system!

I decided to not paint the chassis flat black but lo leave it as it is! Here's a little mock-up: The exhaust (heat shield) is from a Volvo F12 Globetrotter. The end pipe is printed. Wheels are painted. I'll mount them later this evening probably! The space between cab floor and engine is very thin so I hope to get the cab in a position where it doesn't touch the engine and still isn't to high. The great challenge will be to fit in the shift tower.

Thanks Scott! I'm aware of the differences but noone will see it later since the truck will be up on a shelf later where you can only See the outside. I used my 4070a kit as a reference so it won't be totally authentic. In this case it doesn't matter though. In the movie the interior of that truck is not shown so I will also have freedom of art concerning the colors!

The engine is painted and completed. The radiator is almost finished and will be mounted after having painted the chassis.

The interior tub is printed. I used the illustrations in the instruction sheet of the AMT kit as a reference. The three brackets I designed onto it are just mounting aids for the sleeper wall! The dash is printed too. I know, it's the 4070a dash but actually I don't really care!

The engine fits in perfectly! Of course it's not finished yet. I just assembled enough to try out if the virtual mock-up was correct.

Thanks guys! I'll try to find the middle between detail and pragmatic building. Once it's on the shelf most details won't be visible so why bother. The details on parts like the rear panel are easy to design. Things like that don't take much time!

Fuel tank brackets are mounted: Rear panel with mud flaps:

Rims are printed. I'm using Italeri tires, got lots in my box! Of course the rims need painting (white). The chassis will be painted flat black. Before that I'll test the fit of the V8. If everything fits I'll mount a few more parts like the shift tower and tank brackets. Then it's off to the paint shop!

That is absolutely..... I don't know a word to describe it! Fascinating! Amazing! Beautiful! ...