Rockford

Finally finished my second of the two Bisons. The other was the daycab that donated its sleeper to this one. As usual, lots of scratch building involved in making the basic 1/32 Snap Tite kit look presentable but then stretched the chassis, added scratchbuilt fuel tanks, air tanks, half fenders, visor, stacks, pogo stick, sleeper steps, sliding fifth wheel, marker lights on the fenders, drew a stripe package on Paint®. I'm happy with it, considering it was a sad, grotty little build I bought off eBay for a few quid. I've saved it from the bin. I could scream at the stripes across the back wall of the sleeper. I carried the side stripes on too far across the rear wall so that I ended up with a slight misalignment. I did one side and left it to dry so that I could turn it over to do the other side, so too late by the time I'd realised. In future, I'd trim the side so that it just wrapped around the corner, then any misalignment wouldn't have the chance to build up across the back. We live and learn.

Lovely piece of machinery.

Finished! Fitted my front bumper, used straight pins to simulate the dome headed bolts in the bumper. Added homemade license plates. Fitted the air cleaner and Luberfiner, sleeper steps made from big paperclips and scratchbuilt mirrors. Very pleased with the result, will post in Under Glass tomorrow.

So glad to see this back on the bench. Your attention to detail is impressive. I know what you mean about the plumbing, you begin to feel sorry that you started! It looks great though.

On the final stretch with this I think. Decals I printed went on so smoothly I couldn't believe it, the struggles I have had with my own decals sets. I think the clear I use to seal them makes a difference. I used Humbrol Acrylic Varnish this time, no bleed through, sat down nicely etc... Just need to trim around some features once they're fully set. Very happy with the BISON script and the little critter I drew freehand next to it. My old art teacher told us to draw what the eye sees, not what you know is there.

Great job on this. Great colour and finish, love the roof.

Your usual excellent work!

All the hard work comes together with the paint, it starts to look like a whole unit rather than all the little bits you've done and the overall result is impressive. Looks fantastic. A proper worker!

The fifth wheel setup on this truck started to bug me soon after completion, and the irritation grew day by day until I could stand it no longer. I cut the pivots off, filed off what was left of the kit slide rails, added some length to the slide plate and built a sliding frame. Then to paint. The original colour was a Ford shade over white primer but the can was dead. I took a risk with Tamiya Mica Red over grey primer and the match is almost perfect. Careful masking and wrapping the truck in tinfoil worked a treat, no overspray. Now I can call it finished!!!!!

I'm so sorry to hear the issues you're having because you did such a brilliant job on everything. I hope you manage to save it because it's one impressive looking build.

I would find it impossible to follow!

Formed a visor from aluminium sheet. Decided not to paint it but polish it instead. Looks ok. Took umpteen attempts to get an acceptable shape but I've got a method now. Cut the mudflap crossbar to open the rear of the chassis.

Excellent scratch building, very clean work.

To add to what's already been said, this video on YouTube shows how they piped up the Fruehauf 40ft van. I know you're doing a Trailmobile but the method is just the same except for you not having to accommodate the sliding bogie, your hard lines could go straight to the reservoir. Here's some stills:- Remember too that the trailer you're building only has service brake chambers not spring brakes so each chamber only has one airline to it. Trailers so equipped in UK used to have a mechanical cranked on park brake mechanism but I've never seen one on a US trailer.

Starting to round this one up. Put the mascara on the glass seals, put BMF on the handles, arch trims etc... Had to rechrome the grille shell with BMF, added mudflaps to the front, made the little repeater lights for the front fenders. Still a lot to do though. I've got a visor to sort and I'm thinking of a stripe scheme. I'm quite sure of the layout, it's just the colour. I'm wavering between two:- I printed them off on ordinary paper, cut them out and draped them across the cab. Doesn't help.

Thanks Ben, weren't you working on a 1/32 Mack?

Very tidy build, something to be proud of.

Are they real nuts and bolts? ? I can't believe the work you've done there!

That looks great, a really unique project.

Up to your usual standard, excellent!

Absolute masterpiece!

I can see how that would work. With using the AMT kits for my two W900 's, I've got at least 20 AMT tyres lying around. They're only fit to use on trailers because of the size issue so I put them to use here. It's such a shame that AMT made such a great job of these tyres in all but the size, they're perfect otherwise. The Monogram tyres are awful but they look OK size-wise and from a distance. Thanks for the idea though.

It's only out of desperation and necessity! ?

It's exhausting just watching this job, I don't know how you maintain the energy! It takes me two years to do one little project and you're bashing out one of kind projects by the minute! You've done really well with this, making the engine cover hinges functional etc...

You've done that Cummins proud. I like the hoist brackets between the rocker covers, nice touch!