Force

The AMT version is not the best representation of a T600 but the Revell T600 is not exactly correct either as they took quite a few shortcuts too. The turbo plumbing looks a bit weird on the upper instructions as they show just one turbo and the crossover pipe goes in at the wrong position on the aftercooler, but I don't see anything wrong with the turbo plumbing in the lower instructions. Here is how it looks on a real NTC 475.

Yes it looks to be just plain black to me on all the pictures I have seen of it...and that goes for all versions of the truck. As mentioned before the portion around the roof windows was light blue and the sun visor was gold on the first version of the paint job, the versions after that was all black except for the scripts and stripes. The first version of the Bandag Bandit paint job was also black but had a blue pearl tinted clear coat so highlights in the sun has a blueish shine to it, later versions was plain black.

Fujimi did both Mk I and Mk II kits but none with engine as far as I know as all I have seen are curbside. IMC did F40's with engines and they were later issued under Testors name.

Right back at ya.

The first version is what AMT did the last time it was out.

I don't go anywhere near clear plastic with CA glue or accelerator as I don't want to take that chance, I have ruined parts with it too. Very nice job otherwise.

It was the first paint job on the Hideout Truck. Here is the early version with blue top, gold visor and the thin stripes outside the blue, yellow and white graphics were also gold, the Peterbilt bumper and 5-hole Truck Mate wheels. This is the version the model kit is supposed to be. Here is the late version, here is the outer thin stripes outside the blue, yellow and white graphics white and you also see the gullwing bumper and two hole budd wheels used with the tubeless Eclipse tires.

They were at the time period the model kits are from wich is mid to late 80's. The front bumper on the Hideout Truck was later changed to a KW Gullwing bumper for the last version Malone did but the Papa Truck still has the Peterbilt bumper to this day if Gary Reis who now owns the truck haven't changed it since the last pictures I saw after restoration of the truck, he appearently also owns the Hideout Truck but I have not seen any pictures of it since before he bought it. Both trucks do now have 10-hole Alcoas by the way...so now the wheels in the kits are correct.

If you are picky the front bumper are wrong for both the Papa Truck and Hideout Truck even if they would have had the correct shape for a Kenworth Gullwing bumper, because Tyrone Malone used Peterbilt bumpers on both transporters. Jamie at Mo'luminum has the correct Truck Mate wheels.

I love front engine dragsters and I allready have a few of the earlier issues from AMT/MPC (Round 2) starting with the Ramchargers reissue from the Buyers Choice lineup. I agree, this kit has it's shortcomings like the body as said above, the engine isn't the best representation of a 426 Hemi either, the blower and injector hat looks strange and the valve covers are weird, the Funny Car kits from MPC had better engines than these FED's, I also don't like the front wheel with the shield over the spokes, it would have been better to have that optional. If I would have been into large scale models I would for sure rather go for the Revell FED's as they are more accurate...but I don't have room for large scale models. I don't know if they were called Top Fuel Dragsters as much back in the day, the class designation for these cars was AA/FD and not TF like it is now.

Well what they are doing now doesn't make me want to buy more from them...there are less and less I want every time Chad introduces what's coming every month in the Round 2 videos.

I saw this movie just a few hours ago, I didn't have high expectations and haven't read much about it as I never do with a movie I want to see as I want to make my own opinion...and I was pleasently surprised. The story might not be accurate in every point as I also noticed but it was entertaining and exciting, good actors, nice scenery and I really liked the racing scenes....nothing beats the sound of a high revving real American V8. So I also recommend it.

I believe the AMT Moving Van/Race Transporter has this suspension too. But it doesn't look to be that hard to modify the AMT Fruehauf suspension to look more like this one.

Okay, I understand. I would be glad to be able to get 3D printed ones.

The only engine options for the present 2017-forward VNL series seems to be the Volvo D11, D13 and Cummins X15 from the factory. But under the life span of the VN series wich first came 1996 the engine options has been Caterpillar 3406 E, Cummins N14, ISX15, Signature 600, Detroit Diesel Series 60 and the Volvo D11, D12, D13 and D16, I don't know what engine options were available wich year as the option list has changed. The Cummins N14, ISX15/Signature 600 are available and the latest Cat 3406 E looks pretty much like the newer C15 wich also is available, all done in resin from aftermarket casters, the Detroit Series 60 is available in the Italeri Peterbilt kits. The Italeri Volvo VN 780 kit is a 2004-2016 so depending on year you can choose from any of them. But if you want a Volvo engine your only options are the M&G Mouldings D12C or the D13 from the latest Italeri Volvo FH4 as I think the P&B engine is out of production and all other Volvo engines available in truck kits are too old.

I just rememberd M&G Mouldings has a resin Volvo D12 C.

The old original decals were often bad, one set I tried to use for one of my original issue Super Boss broke appart when I tried to apply them and was worthless and stopped the build that time...it's still not finished by the way.

I agree, it's about 14 years since the Beall Tank Trailer was out the last time, the Auto Transporter was out only 4 years ago.

You got my attention KJ because I'm gonna follow this closely. Any chance the wheels are going to be available for purchasing, I must say they look really good.

P & B Models from Poland had a Volvo D12D engine and gearbox in resin but I don't know if the status of the company or if it's still in production. https://www.facebook.com/pracowniapandb/ Otherwise one could rob the engine and trans from the recent Italeri Volvo FH4 wich has current versions of the D13 and gearbox wich should work for the VN truck.

Very nice model KJ, you have the ability to get the right look.

Nice progress. The blue engine made me react...Ford didn't start to paint the engines blue until late 1965 for the 1966 model year, 1962 it should be black and the round decal on the valve cover says it's a HP engine so gold or chrome was the color for the valve cover and air cleaner.

Very nice KJ. You have really nailed the look.

Yes Revell did put in other tires and they did not hold up well over time, the Italeri version had two piece plastic tires. I have a couple of old Revell builds where the hollow rubberfront tires collapsed under the weight of the cab.