Rockford

Nice job mate, the adjustment to the cab height makes a great improvement.

That Watkins KW is an immortal vehicle now isn't it? Your trucks look great.

All I can say is WOW! Don't know how you do it. Fantastic.

I always loved the Peterbilt (et al) factory paint schemes. I couldn't believe that you could buy something like that straight from the factory. When I started serving my time as a truck mechanic we used to get Leylands delivered in primer only on chassis and cab. The operator then had to spend another couple of weeks partially dismantling, painting and prepping the vehicle. (Why did we lose the British truck industry I wonder?) I used the old Microsoft Paint program to draw up some scheme number 104 stripes. It took about six goes to get the dimensions right but they look ok. I'll print them onto decal paper, lacquer them and then carefully cut them out once the job is far enough along. I'm thinking white cab with metallic red chassis at the moment.

Without the pictures to prove it you would never believe that was scratchbuilt. Just brilliant work.

That's a beefy looking truck. Great job.

Looks great, that's a truck that's earned it's living.

That's a classy looking rig, love the paint.

That's got to be one of the best renditions of the Duel truck I've seen, so realistic with the weathering too! Marvellous work.

I can't resist a mock-up but I felt I had to this time to determine trailer clearance. I popped the axles and wheels on. Couldn't resist making my mudflaps too. Sat her next to her bigger sister for comparison.

Thanks gents. Looking at the photos I realised I never posted any photos under any trailers. I also added rear hubs a few months ago, improves the look no end. I do still feel a little sense of pride at how well it turned out because it was my first go at plastic surgery for about 15 years.

Glued the two chassis pieces together, always a worry making sure that the thing is straight. Took the saw to the driver's side exhaust mount and rigged a new diagonal brace out of copper wire. I've got about three weeks of filling and sanding on the cab and the chassis now. This is going to be a real chunky monkey.

It's been said but I have to have a rant. I saw these the other day when I just searched for Monogram truck, if you look under Snap tite or 1/32 they don't come up. Just look at the prices! I like my little Snap tites but over £100 for a built kit? They're just not worth it. Everyone seems to think they can rip someone off. Needless to say, I won't be tempted. £20? Sure, £30? If it's a really rare one and unbuilt, but that's it. I have seen some sensible people, I paid £8 each for two built Aerodyne cabovers and £10 for a built 40ft reefer that needs work but otherwise prices are ridiculous. The box traders are ruining it, they're not modellers, they're just selling anything to make as much profit as they can.

Did a little bit more yesterday. The first time I built this kit was in full lockdown in the first wave so I could only work with what I had, and that was one rattle can of white about 10 years old. Tried improving things over that build. The steps are shallow depressions so I opened them up and put a piece of offcut behind them, just to add depth. Looks a bit better. Moved the fifth wheel back a little. Then I removed the deck plating from behind the fifth wheel and cut 33mm out of the frame. My brain was screaming WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? but it was right according to the sums I did so hopefully it will work out.

Thanks gents, as you can see I tried putting both comments in the box and messed up big time.

I've always loved the look of the AMT Peterbilt 352 Pacemaker cabover. It's very compact and beefy looking. However, the prices are nuts and I've quite a fleet of 1/32 trucks now so I'd like to stay in that scale. I fell on the Snaptite double sleeper 352 for a good price so I'll have to cut it down and shorten the chassis too. First to reduce the cab to a single sleeper. I decided to cut around the locker door so I don't have a line going through it. It also keeps the air vent and the holes for the grab handles. Quite terrifying but taking care with my marking out and cutting it seems to have gone ok.

I'm calling this done for now because I can't think of lettering or stripes at the moment and it looks good enough. It's the Snaptite 1/32 Kenworth T600 with the sleeper cut off, chassis shortened and detailed. Drive axles filled and shaped. Dechromed the fuel tank and exhaust. Made mudflaps out of electrician's tape. Rehinged the fifth wheel. Made a visor out of sheet aluminium. Added brake chambers and airlines. I'm fairly happy with the result.

Pretty much finished with this one. Formed a visor out of sheet aluminium, added a sliding rail on the back of the cab for the airlines. Made some rear axle hubs out of 6mm plastic rod and some sprue. Got to think of lettering and/or livery to complete. I know it's only a snapper but it looks fairly good to me. If only it was the Snaptite W900 but they're as rare as hen's teeth now, so too the Freightshaker cabover. I'll keep looking out for them though.

Started putting the makeup on the T600, bit of BMF and some panel lines. I added fuel lines to the fuel tank and made my mudflaps from electrician's tape. It's looking good. Still a lot to do.

Such a great image seeing it sitting in the workshop with all the tools on the bench. Cab looks great, it's going to look really sharp when it is finished.

That looks great. I don't think the axle is too far forward, you do (did) see them like that. Just your typical little workhorse truck pottering around the neighbourhood doing its job.

What a great job! Love the weathering and the plumbing. Look forward to seeing the trailer.

Nice Job on the interior. The chassis looks great too, the drive tyres look mean.

Excellent work on the chassis. Always thought the Astro design was way ahead of its time. Just look at that dash, the way it curved right around the driver and the big glass area for good visibility and well cooked drivers in the summer! If the engine didn't cook you the sun would!