mackinac359

Nice work. The man with the broom looks as if he's saying "there, all cleaned up - the next guy who makes a mess will deal with the business end of the shovel." Tim

Kurt, you're right, it has been over a year since I've built a dumper, not counting the box stock Ford LNT8000 I did for Stevens. Tim

I haven't worked on a specific project since the beginning of the month. Just tinkering on other things here and there. Last week I started a new project, a Peterbilt 365 SBFA. Using fenders from the Spaulding Trading and Shipping 357 SBFA hood and a scratchbuilt hood shell I managed to make a close representation of a 365 SBFA hood. I actually made two hoods - it seems it is just as much work to make two as it is to make one. The base kit is the Italeri Peterbilt 377A/E. I modified the cab sides for the newer window shape, cut a daycab panel from sheet plastic, cut out the rear window and cut side corner windows into the cab. The frame is an inverted fishbelly (raises up aft of the cab). I used Evergreen channel for the rails. Evergreen square tube was used for the crossmembers. The dump body is scratchbuilt from sheet plastic. I'm not sure what I will decide for the final outcome - color, wheels, polished items, etc. I'm leaning towards something like this Stay tuned! Thanks for looking Additional photos and information is on This Page. Tim

Go to www.hankstruckpictures.com and do a search for Kenworth Aerodyne COE. There are lots of idea pics there. Tim

This is going to look cool! Tim

A perfect match! Nice. Tim

Just amazing ! Tim

Sunlight and low-angles.. always a good combination. Tim

Another killer project in the making ! Tim

I got an email from Kuenn at De-Elegant Model Truck Fleet. He is taking orders for the Peterbilt 387 for a limited run. If you are interested, place your order from the website. De-Elegant Model Truck Fleet Tim

There is a similar trailer to this still in use in Munising, Michigan by the Alger County Road Commission. I've seen it pulled behind Ford LTS9000 and other similar trucks. Nice work on the scratchbuilding! Tim

I emailed Kuenn a month or so ago and he said he is out of stock of them right now but plans to reissue them. Tim

Great work on the cabs and the Lonestar hood !! Tim

Same for me. I don't have the skill/talent to make the actual headlamp lens and pod. I wish I did. Tim

No, the headlamp sticker is one I had made locally from a photograph of the headlamp. On the other 386 and 384's that I've built, it used Bare Metal Foil for the shape of the lamp and lightly brush painted the headlamp (not as effective as the photo-sticker). Tim

Actually, it is commercial trucks. Class 3-8. But an occasional non-commercial truck is always refreshing. Tim

Cool custom in the works! Tim

As Ben said! "truly some outstanding work" Great job on the C615's mirrors and the 359's paint. Heck, the 359 even has a washer ! Tim

Rex Both AITM and KFS parts are good. I have used parts from both and am very happy with the quality. Tim

Nice conversion to daycab and single drive! Tim

The Tech Center has all sorts of PACCAR trucks, 389, 388, 386, 387, T800, T660 W900L etc.. The actual use for each truck is unknown to me. Tim

Here are two of my latest Peterbilts. I started the blue 2010 model 389 back in March. I have several things I need to correct on the 389 before I'm satisfied with it. The hood, cab sides, bumper and headlamps are resin from Spauldings. The sleeper is a modified 377 kit sleeper. Mocked-up for body fitment. cab/hood set and bumper test. The bumper, grille/crown, headlamps, visor, fuel tanks and door trim are all Bare Metal Foil. DPF box and piping. Note the CARB engine compliance sticker on the door. Not that the hood and cab don't appear to line up evenly from the bottom of the cowl to the top, and that the cab and sleeper appear to be leaning backwards a bit. They are. I did this to simulate the sleeper airbags being out of air and the body leaning back a bit. The 389 is dressed for the PACCAR Technical Center. Next is my Hybrid 386 with new aero fairings dressed for Wal*Mart. The base kit was an Italeri 377. The hood is from AITM and slightly modified, along with the grille ground out with Plano Model Products mesh added. The chassis fairings are scratchbuilt. The UltraRoof is resin from RiversEdge resin(Budd Ricker). The Hybrid components are hidden behind the chassis fairing, with some items visible behind the sleeper. The sleeper was cut down to a 48". The wheels are resin from Mo'Luminum (through SourKraut). Additional photos and build information are on my site Tims Trucks.com - then click on the Recent Builds page. Both models are inspired by real units. Thanks for looking! Tim

Well done !! Tim

Looks alright by me. It reminds me of a small-fleet or owner operator's first truck. Tim

Welcome ! Tim