Wagoneer81

I really like this! You set out to capture a certain mood and setting and by gum, you nailed it! I like the tools scattered on the ground in front of the car... Well done! The thing I've learned about dioramas' is that they are never truly 'finished'. They're kinda like a model railroad layout... You'll come back to it and add a little something every so often. that, in my opinion, is all part of the fun.

I'm working on one of these as we speak,(for a friend) and still have my own 1/72 Gato to finish... Thanks for this tip, you just made things much easier for me!

I think we could handle cutting the kit floor down...

Having a 10 year background in buried utilities and construction work, the AMT Ford Dump without the snowplow would be the PERFECT truck for a construction combo... I really like how you built the trailer, it's a good, solid unit. I've pulled many a trencher, excavator and backhoe, with some trucks that were real turkeys and got familiar with different trucks and trailers so I'm here if you or anybody has any questions about medium-duty hauling, load securement, etc...

I've been looking hard at this kit since it was re-issued and now, after seeing what you've posted, I think I'm going to pop on it! You're post seems to have answered my biggest questions about it. I love the mid-late '50's Ferds and the Skyliner is one of my favorite vehicles of all time! I'll follow this build and I look forward to updates!

Devin, thanks for the detailed description of how you made the door hinges. That's a pretty neat design and I'm going to use it the next time I need door hinges. I'm not really a Mopar Man but I have always loved that shade of Orange! The paint looks slick and I look forward to seeing this one finished!

I concur FULLY with Darin... My wallet doesn't like you right now, Jairus... The last thing I need, right now, are more ideas... I just got back from my LHS with the latest issue and must say... Well, I can't say it on a family friendly site, sooo... Those are some great concepts, brilliant inspiration!! Maybe, just maybe, with this new Hornet kit I'll actually get around to FINISHING a project or three.

There'd be so many possibilities with this one, like you said. I'd like to have one, myself... An E-350 would make a nice pull vehicle for a race team. I could see one with a Galaxie Ltd. tag-along trailer hooked up to it with some "Weekend Warrior" race team graphics. Scratchbuilding a motorhome body would be a lot of fun as well..... Hey... A class 'C' E-350 Motorhome pulling an enclosed race car trailer ... Wow, isn't it amazing how I just talked myself into that ...lol! Ok, so I'd want two then...

This is one of those models that has that 'just right feel' to it. Your weathering is first rate and I love the setting! This is a well used, not abused tractor... I'm not a big fan of the single-screw DAF tractors (They just look odd to me...) but this tandem job sure has my number. I just looked, there're none on eBay right now, but I'll keep looking. I think I just found my first Euro-Truck project.

This is an awesome build. I love unique, well executed builds and this absolutely qualifies! Well Done!

Now that^^^^^^^^^^^ was worthy of a rimshot! Danno, wonderful pic!

Looks great! I think I've dealt with that company before... Truly a good looking combo.

I'm right there with ya, Tim! Dave, thanks for the update and thanks for keeping us informed through this entire process! I look forward to giving a Lonestar a loving home!

Mustang Nicky, Welcome to the madness! Those are two very nice builds. I really like the Mustang. That's a color you don't usually see them wearing and it looks good in green. I tell all new builders to concentrate on the basics, do a nice, clean build and the more advanced stuff will come in time. I don't need to tell you this because you've got the basics down pat. I'm looking forward to seeing more!

Darin, if you ever cast these, I want several dozen... The first time I saw the preview for Despicable Me, I looked at my buddy and said, "That's hilarious, I want minions too!!!" Barring casting them, I may have to go your route and fab several for myself...

It is getting better and I agree with taking a minute before stroking the enter key. Not only am I a model builder but I also *GASP* play 'World of Warcraft' which exposes me to thousands of real people, some hiding behind their keyboards and making life miserable for the rest of us... What can I say, it's an escape from my escape... Anyway, here's how I survive in the online world: I have a standing rule... well, several standing rules actually, when it comes to forums and communicating via the 'net. 1. Treat people how I want to be treated, with respect and consideration. 2. Treat people and speak to them as if they are standing right in front of me... within arms reach. Not separated by hundreds of miles and a computer network. 3. Never post when you feel like hitting something. Take a deep breath, cool off, go get a drink of water, a beer, smoke a stogie, whatever, just don't. type. angry. You might just post something you'll regret later on... And getting out of a flame war is a lot more difficult than starting one. Always 'take the high road'.

I have one better than that. I was looking at getting their trolley kit that they advertised as 1/24 (IT's marked '1/24' right on the box) bacause I thought that it would make a great load for a low-boy trailer... No dice... it's actually a 1/48 scale kit. My question is this: How does a MODEL company hit a home run with a kit like the Police Charger and then mess up something simple like the scale of a particular model??? On topic; I have this particular A100 kit and am thinking about building it as a sport truck with bumble bee stripes, a nice set of Cragar S/S or Keystones and a soft tonneu cover... So many choices with this one, I need more than one.

I'm not either... ... But that look does ROCK! I'm not a Wrangler fan even thought they are a neat vehicle in their own right. And I'm not in love with the newer style Cherokees although they also are good vehicles and that British Number that Joe Handley posted pics of (Above) is a really sharp looking ride. I love the old Full Size Jeeps, the FSJ's that originated with Willys back in 1963. The FSJ body style was used from 1963 until the last of the Grand Wagoneers rolled off the assembly line in 1991. I'm a Willys Overland fan myself, and owning an AMC/Jeep version is the closest (and least expensive) way I can get to a vintage FSJ right now... I'd love to have a couple of vintage Jeepsters, a Willys MB, M38, M715 Gladiator and such... Maybe when I win the Lottery...

I like this one! Around here we call these 'front-runners'... dunno why...

Well, that's why I said "a color that compliments the tractor"... I remembered that it was pretty pricy stuff... I think a darker aluminum or an Argent Silver would do the job though... I'm just glad that my stuff can give ideas or inspire... Lord knows you all do that for me on a regular basis!

If you like the idea, then by all means run with it! I originally started this combo as a mild custom/ matched pair but after a few issues with the paint, decided to weather the snot out of it and give it that used and abused look. I painted the sides with Testors chrome. You know, the stuff that never seems to dry and picks up fingerprints like crazy... I got past those issues with a coat of Testors Dullcoat. Made the sides look like aluminum in need of polishing. I say squirt your roof and nose with a color that compliments the tractor, if not the same color as the tractor, call it good and FINISH that puppy! I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

Thanks for the compliments, everybody! Well, Jim, I lost what was left of my mind years ago... It's not really evident in the pictures, but really stands out when you see the model in person, I DID drill out all the portholes... took me about an hour and a half per side with my little pinvise. I do that on all my ship builds, regardless of scale. I think it adds a little more depth to the look of the finished model. I do have a fiber-optics lighting kit in my stash but didn't use it on this build because I wasn't going to be keeping it for myself.

Ohh, cripes, that tiny!!! You sir, have more patience (not to mention dexterity) than I do... Nice interior and paint. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

I just saved this one to my project file folder... That has to be one of the most beautiful W900's I've ever had the pleasure of casting my hazel orbs upon! Thanks for posting!

I agree with you, here's a '63 Wagoneer. I think they look really cool with the old style sheetmetal up front. It's a very distictive styling, there's just no mistaking what vehicle it is.