TrucksMT

Great detail isn't it?

Sorry for my delay in responding...I've been under the weather for awhile. Yes Texas 3D has what looks like a stock version available. They look great. I wish they would do a 637 V8 and Toro-Flow diesel.

I love this. As someone who is also a visual artist i have always felt that modeling blurs the line. It's hard to argue that pure scratchbuilding isn't art. Literally taking raw materials and creating something that is essentially a photographic-level representation of a real object. I liken it to photo-real drawing or painting, and see many parallels with sculpture. I really fail to see any difference. The inspiration and dedication of a modeler is no less than that of a fine artist. Certainly I don't want to highjack Brian's thread here, but I also believe it's very relevant. His work is art.

Excellent point Jeff. Things often aren't perfect in the real world. A little asymmetry actually adds alot of realism.

Looks great Jeff! Makes me want to start mine!

Beautiful! And great photography too.

I have used spot and glazing putties over the years too Jeff. Hard to beat them. These days I try to stay away from anything toxic (my wife has very severe asthma) so I've been using a water-based putty lately. Can't remember the name offhand...currently at the doctor...flu 🫤...but it works ok from what i can tell. Very lightweight and sands very easily. Dry in 20-30 minutes, only downside I've noticed so far is some adhesion issues, but with light sanding ahead of time to the application area I think that problem will go away.

I was thinking the same thing...Jurgen is cruising!

Thanks Brian!

Thanks Jeff! For most of the air lines I'm using a relatively soft copper wire. I can't remember the diameter but i can get back to you. Other lines I'm using a stiffer galvanized wire, and some are the wire core of a twist tie. The fuel filter lines are Detail Master hoses from my old NASCAR stash.

Thank you very much! It's moving more slowly than I'd like...i don't get much bench time. I appreciate your kind words and for taking the time to check it out and comment on it! I did "prime" everything this past weekend so here is where it sits now. This is basically the beginning of my rust undercoat that I'll use for salt chipping. Thanks again.

Very nice start!

One issue i have with my photos is the grainy look of the paint. It looks very speckled and while there is some of that going on, it's less extreme than the photos make it look. Hopefully I can get it softened.

Thank you both very much! It's just getting started. More work today adding some highlights and toning the rust down in places, accentuating it on others. Still to come are markings, washes, dry brushing, dusting, and dirt and mud. Thanks for looking.

So some work today. I fished the air supply lines from the reservoirs to the air valves (?) and started detailing the reservoirs. According to a schematic I found online there are numerous valves and gauges on the air tanks themselves, so I'm attempting to replicate those items. For the gauges I took a 3/32 HF punch and punched them out some styrene sheet. Seemed to work pretty good. I'll try to paint faces on them or find some decals in my stash that will fit. I need to find reference material on the safety valves and low-pressure indicators that also go on the tanks. Chassis is getting very close to being ready for painting and weathering. I'm thinking just basic black for the chassis color. I'm not even sure what color the cab will be yet. I was planning on Mack gold for the engine and tranny but I'm leaning away from that. Suggestions? I'm still working on the interior too. I spent time working on the wood grain on the dash today and it didn't go well. I should have quit while I was ahead because at one point it actually looked pretty good.