Bryan H

Well done! I hope you'll favor us with another big rig model soon. Bryan

Thanks again Art, especially for tailoring your response to matters that relate to plastic model kit production. Bryan

Thanks, Art, for your exhaustive reply. I am 43, so my parents were directly exposed to affects of the Great Depression as you articulated. I am also about to graduate with a Mechanical Engineering degree (mid-life career changer). Your reply helps put some perspective on the manufacturing scene I am about to enter. Bryan

Art: Can you comment at all on the profit potential from new tooling? Have modern processes (such as EDM and other CNC methods) made it any easier to make a profit producing plastic model kits? Also, do the efforts to coordinate with workers in foreign countries drive up costs such that production in the US starts to make sense? Thanks, Bryan

I'm pretty certain that's a W900L based on the amount of hood aft of the fenders. Bryan

For a frame color, what do you think of white? I know, it's a little unusual. However, painting the chassis and roo bar plain white would "sandwich" the flashy cab/hood/sleeper nicely. Also, the rear suspension air bags, etc. could be painted black to contrast well with the frame. Bryan

Scott: I like the forklift-stressed diamond plate at the rear of the trailer. Nice work. Bryan

Well done. As others have mentioned, the wheels make for a really nice look. I also like the way you slightly curved the mudflaps. Bryan

A quick Google search turned up stories of many hobby-related products getting visits from the "Fun Police". General Motors had problems with video game producers using GM cars in their games. Union Pacific railroad had problems with model railroad producers using the UP livery. I found several others as well. I was heartened to read that Union Pacific eventually agreed to a no-cost settlement for use of their trademark though. Bryan

For my part, I enjoy seeing in-process photos even more than finished builds. The photos can be from any stage of construction. I like this as I get to see others' building techniques. Bryan

I am thrilled that Alcoa 10-holes will be included in the kit. Just think of all the projects that could use an accurate rendition of this wheel! Bryan

If the kit comes to fruition, I'll be very interested to see its tires. Tires and wheels really make the appearance of a truck for me. Bryan

Porky: Which Hobby Shop is that in the photo you posted?

Having a kit contain a MaxxForce 13 engine would be exciting. Also, the Hendrickson Steertek fabricated front axle and mono-leaf front suspension that come standard on a Lonestar, along with modern Meritor rear axles and an accurate fifth wheel. I'd buy the kit just for the components! Bryan

Art, thanks for keeping us updated. How'd you come to be involved in the development of this kit? Bryan

Comparable to a Tamiya kit? That's pretty serious. I'm with the others...make with the photos. Bryan

The second photo you posted leads me to wonder if you used Plastruct C-Channel for the frame rails. If this is what you used, do you consider the frame on your truck particularly strong? It seems like using Plastruct C-Channel would make for a long-lasting model. Thanks, Bryan

Accurate or not, it still must be pretty satisfying to add a different look to the Blue Pete. In your photo, it appears the lift axle centerline is in the neighborhood of 43 scale inches from the first drive axle's centerline. This would represent the minimum spacing necessary on a full-scale rig. For bridge-formula states, all axles within 96 inches are considered part of a "tandem" and limited to 34,000 pounds. Your "tridem" looks to be eight-feet-plus and could scale 42,000 pounds. So, I think the Blue Pete looks good without frame lengthening. Bryan

Well done Sergey! Although the details are very nice, what I like best are that your trucks are nice, clean builds. Bryan

Very well done! You even got a zip tie around the reservoir line. Bryan

I also prefer using thick super glue applied using a sharp-pointed object. I find I can control the size of the simulated rivet pretty well this way. It's also very inexpensive. Those Archer transfers look really cool though. Bryan

Well done Tim! Great photos as well with good lighting. Personally, I think it looks great without chicken lights. Bryan

Very well done! The edges of the stripes appear extremely clean. Would you care to offer some details on your painting technique and the construction of the cabs?

Finally! I've always wondered what the room "where the magic happens" looks like. Dusting must be a bear. You said, at the end of the video, that you're "out of room". Since you're such a prolific builder, what do you intend to do to accommodate future projects? Thanks for posting the vid. Bryan

Well done Tim! I love the use of Super Singles on the drive axles. Bryan