Jürgen M.

I realized I had to update the collage, so here it is: And the newest vid of the convoy: VID_20250728_004607.mp4

It's time to fill up the Convoy with the next truck: The IH Transtar II called 'Bald Eagle'! That's no. 7! My Convoy shelf is almost full so there will be a bit of space left for two smaller vehicles. The Chevy 3100 Task Force called 'Sneaky Snake'.... and the microbus of the Jesus Freaks I haven't decided finally yet but I think they would complete the scene quite well and will Bring more color into the convoy than just another rig!

Thanks Jeff! Actually I picked up a book written all about the making of the movie. It tells the whole story and gives you a good view behind the scenes.

I'm glad you like it, thanks, and I'm amazed that there are still people out there, who know the old, original version of the song! For those who aren't familiar with the history of the movie: After the first version of the Convoy song was launched it became so popular, especially among non truckers, that a guy named B.W.L. Norton, a screen writer, wrote a film script of it in 1974. The background story was actually the protest of one single trucker in Pennsylvania. Anyway, to make a long story short, the script as well as the song were modified a few times and Sam Peckinpah was hired as a director. The budget of originally 5 million $ exploded to almost 10 because they had realized that a movie like Convoy couldn't be shot in studios. They needed real trucks and real locations. It was a chaotic production and most actors had threatened to quit before the takes we're finished. The movie almost disappeared on the cutting room floor because noone really thought it would become a success. It did though. Not as big as expected but it flushed about 24.5 million $ at the box offices. OK, enough of history lessons! Thanks for showing interest!

😂 That's the old version of the title song! The movie is made after the new version!

Thanks very much Gary! A great compliment from a pro modeller! I feel the same about your builds. Always fun and fascinating to follow!

Thanks Brian! Yes, Convoy was my favorite movie from the first time I saw it and I've seen it so many times without getting tired of it. Since I began 3D printing I discovered new possibilities to make parts look authentic! It opened doors to building trucks you don't get as a kit like the Brockway 361 (Widow Woman), ... I also purchased a book about 'Convoy' with a lot of additional background information about the trucks shown in the movie.

Thanks Pal! If I build more Convoy vehicles it'll be the Chevy called 'Sneaky Snake' ...and maybe the microbus of the Jesus Freaks! Then my Convoy shelf will be full! But first I have a few other ideas!

OK, this is it! Ready for 'under glass' and the shelf: Joining the convoy! Next to the original:

Hi Folks, I finally got it finished, my 7th Convoy truck: It's the IH Transtar II with the CB handle 'Bald Eagle'! For those who missed the WIP thread, the truck is completely designed and printed except for a few small box parts. The trailer is the AMT 'Watkins' reefer. Thanks again to Bren for printing the cab for me. You really put lots of time and effort into it! 👍 And here's a little vid of the Convoy: VID_20250728_004607.mp4 Thanks for looking!

Bumper fits perfectly! Wipers are printed and chromed and will be attached later. The side steps are attached too. Next will be the mirror brackets. I noticed that I forgot to design the door latches into the cab so I'll have to think of something. Probably 0.5mm styrene sheet cut to size and chromed. Then the fog lights below the bumper, grab handles on the sides and in front and a bit of touch up here and there and it goes off onto the shelf! I know I rushed a bit to get it done and it's not my normal building quality but I'm glad when it's finished!

Thanks Jeff! I actually did have a big enough piece of 0.7mm foil. Unfortunately I can't find the link to the page I always ordered the stuff from. If I could only remember the name! I just cut it a bit longer than necessary and when I glued it in it perfectly pressed itself inte place without getting white marks from bending it. Got the sun visor, lower grille and the center window strut into place! Now the bumper needs attention. An adapter will be neccessary. Still to be designed!

Got a few parts in the cab. Now it's final assembly! Mirrors have to be printed, brackets will be made of 1mm brass rod. Then fitting in the lower grille and bumper, attach wipers, door handles, ... Had to lengthen the air intake a bit. The windshield is made of 0.7mm transparent foil. Side windows also.

Awesome job Pal! 👍 This is gonna be a real eye catcher.

I made some progress on the cab. It's not as smooth as I hoped but it doesn't matter. It'll be one a shelf behind glass so it will hardly be visible. With the decals on it looks a bit better. This evening, when the decals are absolutely dry, I'll apply the clear coat so it has enough time to cure over night.

That is one awesome paint job Jeff! The scheme and the execution. Lot of passion in there!

I'm back! 😎 Means, my cabs have arrived and I can now proceed with the IH. Thanks again Bren! (He printed 4 more cabs and sent them here after we realized that the first parcel definetly had gotten lost!) I took the best print and immediately began to work with it. Step rails on the lower sides of the cab, then the first coat of filler primer. That will be gently sanded (parts are extremely brittle) then a second coat of primer, then flat white, then gloss white then decals and clear coat! This is fun again!

Looks great Jeff! Awesome paint job, nice surface! Keep going Pal!

They are Mack tanks! Mack used a lot of their own parts on Brockway to save money after they purchased the brand! Popcorn and beer are ready, ....

Nice! A great idea. Can't remember having seen a garbage truck being built here. Front row!

I don't know! Could just be a construction company! The plates were very similar! To tell them apart: The Dutch have (till today) mostly two numbers or letters in three pairs. Like this: But don't ask me if it has any meaning! My next refurbishing project is a Scania 142M. I'll try to get that finished by the time the new IH cabs arrive! Bren has printed some more since the first parcel didn't find its way here. Thanks again Bren! They should arrive by end of next week so till then I will refurbish the Scania. When the IH is finally done I will add a cement mixer to the Scania! I'll probably open a thread in 'under glass' for that.

Hi Ron, Thanks, Im glad you like it! That's interesting. Didn't know they were running as PB and KW in the US. Just Like Renault running as Macks! By the way, the plates are danish (DK). 😉 They're not that easy to tell apart though at least not the ones used before the European ones. Today they have the little blue European flag on the left with the nationality code. Makes it easier.

Thanks Brian, I can imagine that they're not very common in North America. Eventhough DAF belongs to Paccar. I haven't seen the Cattleman version in real life either but in the 80s and 90s the N2800 were common trucks hauling cement silos because of their powerful V8s. It's a bit a of a tribute to these old but reliable work horses!

Thanks. Glad you like it. You can get the dump truck version of the N2800 here. The Cattleman is not available in hobby shops. On eBay I found the Cattleman for 135€. The dump truck for 75€. Here's the link: https://trainstore-and-more.de/Italeri-No-781-Modell-LKW-Bausatz-DAF-2800-Dump-Truck-124

Another fine build, Gary! That KW is gonna look great when it's finished! It already does! And your new bench will surely make building even more of a pleasure!