Rockford

Yes, CAV were popular along with Lucas and Butec stuff. I can't recall which had what now, although there were often either used depending on where they were built.

It's paying dividends though. Looks great.

This is going to be unique when it's done, you're doing a great job. I've got about 6 projects on the go at the moment, can't stop myself, so you're not on your own.

That is one long truck. Looking good.

Oh wow! I wonder what engine it's running? Can't be a 500, must be the later TL11 which was the old 680 with a turbo on it. That proved to be much better. They had Fuller transmissions in them so they last forever. The cabs fell to pieces quite rapidly though, I remember they used to be delivered in primer, how long they'd sat in all weathers in that state I dread to think.

Looks great that, a real workaday combination. Clever idea on the magnetic airline couplings, I've been considering them myself but it's a bit too late after 8 trailers!

Impressive stuff! Clever solution to the cab tilt problem. You're very brave doing stuff like that after paint, I'm terrified of destroying my mediocre paint jobs once they're on.

Not a lot to report, snatched a few hours to plumb the tandems in. I always leave it until the end and end up working through the subframe, awkward! Looks good enough. I'm not getting my usual hours in this weekend because we're going to visit friends in Leyland, Lancashire, where they used to make Leylands of course. I used to work on Leylands, amongst many others. Buffalos, Bisons, Octopuses (Octopae?), the full works. Indeed the very first vehicle I ever drove was a Buffalo in Tate and Lyle's yard. Some were ok, some were rubbish, especially those with the fixed-head OHC 500. Some photos of Tate and Lyle's yard after we shut down in 1981. Trucks were sure simpler in those days.

For a kit you intended to build quickly it is becoming another museum piece. Amazing attention to detail mate. Well done.

Looks like a good chunky monkey that. Cutting the hood down was a clever move. Wheels and tyres look excellent.

Thanks, not as much as your fire appliances though!

Thanks mate, modifying the kit doors would have been just as much work.

Thanks mate. Good idea for the rivets, I'll keep it in mind. The rear bumper is pretty rubbish, modern ones don't look any better, I suppose they're better than nothing but it's all about weight and payload isn't it?

Your having a 1/32 frenzy! The decal sheet in that reissue Bison looks great, with all the stripe colour options etc... Nice job so far, Looking forward to seeing it take shape.

Wow! What a history for a build. Looking forward to seeing this take shape.

I planted the two uprights in the tailgate aperture both for support and so I could drill a row of holes along them, into the holes I pushed dressmakers straight pins to represent the coachbolts that hold the hinges in place. I also scratch built a locking mechanism at the bottom and a pull handle. I might tie a piece of thick cotton to that to mimic the rope you see on so many of them, so that the driver doesn't have to stretch to reach it. This will soon be awaiting the right weather for paint.

Nothing that complicated with the landing gear, I just use square tube and rod so they can telescope like the real thing and create enough resistance to support the weight of the trailer when extended. I just push and pull manually. There's a tailgate rear door on the 1/25 AMT doubles trailers and the Coca Cola Ford, but there's nothing in 1/32. These exterior post vans seemed to have this type of door because they weren't insulated etc... so could be quite simple. I'm hoping mine helps to hold the box almost square, it really is all over the place. Thanks for your comments mate.

Looks fantastic that mate. You're learning what European trucks are like, so cluttered there's no room for anything, and they're so complex that they're a bear to work on. You're doing a great job though.

Built the operating landing gear. Reprofiled the front bulkhead and started building a rear roller tailgate instead of the kit doors. Also added the backs to the rear lights.

This looks like a diecast you're modifying? Interesting subject.

It would have been called a biscuit tin in GB. There was a Foden we used to call a Mickey Mouse because it was shaped like his head.

Looks tidy to me!

Very resourceful and I'm sure the finished product will be impressive. As for the ballast situation, are the tyres hollow? Would they come off the rims and take a bit of ballast inside? I remember tilting the cab on a Scania 111 (I think)and was careful to empty everything I could out of the cab. The driver forgot about a pair of pliers under his mattress though. Straight through the windscreen!

That's a really nice rendition. There's something about the old Navajo trucks.

Well done. Looks good