Rockford

You're right about the torque arms, you can see the rear axles are splayed outwards at the top so that the pinion angle is pointing downwards. Not right.

Great looking finished product, any of us would be proud to build to such a standard. The real truck photo you've posted is actually a UK vehicle, so the exhaust might be rerouted because we drive on the left, on the standard German build the exhaust would point at our pedestrians. We're awkward people over here!. 🤪

Very nice, that's some propshaft!

All that's missing is the time slips! Brilliant.

You can be truly proud of that mate, very clever engineering on the cab tilt issues. Possibly a European trailer to suit?

Very nice, I like the stubby exhaust. They were a nice looking truck, shame none of the mainstream kit manufacturers made one.

Looks great to me.

You caught the original so well I thought the first picture was a diorama you'd built.

Interesting stuff, chassis looks good, that's a helluva crossmember for the rear suspension.

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.