showbuilder

if you guys are never happy with ipms shows then why do you keep going? a lot of the armor and aircraft guys who you refer to as "rivet counters" are better model builders than a lot of us will ever be. i have learned many things about building from these guys. the theory of "military" guys winning everything at these shows is ###### and saying they don't know how to judge is even further off base. i will agree that they may not know automotive well, but they know a great model when they see one. i build and compete in heavy commercial class and just debuted in the auto class with my corvette. the corvette won it's class at an ipms show on it's debut and was judged by military modelers. my truck builds which are also in the automotive side have won at ipms shows in six states. i have also won several best automotive, best paint and been runner up for best in show many times with my truck builds. i'm not bragging just saying that you can be very successful in automotive at ipms shows. this past year i have judged several ipms events and what holds a lot of builds back is the lack of modelling basics. you can put every aftermarket item on a build but if it had injector pin marks, seams, moldlines, flawed paint, overglue and so on...........it most likely will not place at an ipms event. please do not take this as a bash to anyone, i'm just stating a point. if you build a good model you will be rewarded at ipms shows, if there is a bunch of good models on the table then it will take a great model to win. B)

hey now..............some of us like those big sleepers looks good tim, nice job.

the rear fenders are from eric at p&p resin. they are a nice casting but will be modified for this build. he sells them for 18 bucks a set, they are worth it too.

thanks dave, this was an old project that just didn't get going a couple years ago. i got it back out and sent it in a different direction. this thing has been mocked up more times than i care to think about. i think i have all the main modification done so now it's on to the real time consuming stuff....details. a new update coming soon........

dave, the oil pan is front sump because that is where i wanted it. it clears the front axle with no problem. the italeri detroit is longer, wider and taller than the revell cummins. the turbo is mounted higher and further outboard than on the cummins. my engine is installed on the same mounting points as the cummins. the top of the trans is a little higher but that is not a clearance issue. as far as the radiator height in relation to the fan pulley............not a problem figuring i have cut the cast in fan out, mounted it to the engine, reworked the radiator and fan shroud to sit 1/8" higher, scratchbuilt the intercooler, oil cooler, and mounts for them. the cab mounting pivots have been reworked to set the cab 1/8" higher to clear the front floats. bumper mounting brackets have been made to mount the texas style bumper. cab floor has been slightly modified with clearance reliefs for the turbo and intercooler pipes. please remember that i build custom one off trucks. i do not build "true replica" trucks. i enjoy the challenge of designing parts to look a little different than everyone elses. kind of the "dare to be different" mentality. building this way gives me unlimited freedom, i'm not locked into the "that's the way it should be" kind of building. hopefully this anwers your questions and calms your concerns. thanks for the positive comments. i have looked at your work and must say it's some great work.

here is a small update on the kenworth. i got the series 60 fitted and most of the chassis stuff mocked up. getting the italeri detroit in a revell cabover is a challenge. i'm working on modifying the cab floor for engine and turbo clearance now. still have a long way to go but here is a few current pics..................... here is the initial floor reliefs.................

thanks tony, yea i would love to have a set of plans for that dozer. i can use them for ideas on this project. let me know buddy.

thanks......yes they are kfs wheels. these wheels are all i use for my competition builds, they are being modified for this build though.

another update on this build....................body work is finished on the cab and emerald green base is on. waiting on my house of kolor order from black gold inc to come in. when it arrives i will be spraying the ice green and pearl coats.....also the graphics. hinges have been ordered for all doors including compartments and tool boxes. i will include that progress in another update soon. here are the current pics........................

very nice builds as always from you. you are da man.

winston, this is a very cool project. i really like the color choice also. will you be bringing this to the ckm show next year? talk to you later, keep up the great work.

i get my aluminum wheels from kit form services (kfs) they cost about 120 bucks a set. a little pricey but worth it to me.

dave, i like revell and italeri kits over amt, the amt kit is pretty nice though. the doors do open on the revell kit but i do not use their design. they are too clunky looking for me. i will be adding aftermarket hinges and modifying the doors to work with them.

very clean build, great job

yes jim it is the 1/25th scale tamiya centurion.

thanks for all the great comments guys, i will try to do plenty of updates on this build. i'm working on the tri blade ripper for the dozer now. it will be half kit parts and half scratchbuilt. i will be bouncing from the tractor to the trailer to the dozer. it seems to be easier for me to build this way, keeps me from burning out on one thing and stay focused on the complete build. stay tuned...............

thanks tony, this is the old dozer heading a new direction. i saved the lower chassis and engine, everything else will be redone. thanks jim, ambitious projects seem to be my thing. the lowboy is scratchbuilt except for the suspension. here is a pic of my ford ltl/dropdeck and tank that i built for the 2010 show season.

here is my newest project, revell kenworth with a slight frame stretch. lowboy will be 95% scratchbuilt triaxle with a fourth flip axle. dozer is my own design, using two amt kits and scratchbuilding the rest. engine has been converted to twin turbo/intercooled and fully plumbed. i have a long way to go but here is a few mock up pics to give you an idea of where it's going. more to come......stay tuned.

The firebird funnycar and the camaro were built by Jack Bauman from pa. Jack is a good friend and competitor of mine. The funnycar won second to the white mustang and the camaro won competition class and best automotive.

when can we hear it fire up? looking great my friend.

very nice work dave, hope to see this on the tables next year at a few shows. for you guys who have never seen dave's work in person................lets just say you are missing some amazing stuff, pictures are great but they don't do it justice.

to get the best shine and depth to your finish you should always wet sand and buff. this is true with or without clear. if that was your first build you done a great job on it. looks good.

ssssshhhhhhheeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz i'm confused

tamiya and model master both make a nice flat orange, or you could use a gloss and overcoat it will dullcote to kill the gloss.

it's a series 60 dd and color would be detroit gray/blue