Jim B

Thanks. The gauges are a decal that comes with the kit. Makes life a lot easier. As far as masking the seats, I didn't use any tape. I just used the raised lines on the seats themselves.

I've been working on this one (on & off) for a while now, and I figured it was time to upload some WIP pics. So far the kit has been quite nice. This is my first Italeri kit, and it really has gone together quite well. Still not a big fan of the multi-piece cab, though. Here is the look I'm going for: Apparently, the kit is an earlier version of the IVECO 190 26, but since the kit is Italian (Italeri), IVECO is Italian, and I'm part Italian; I figured that Vigili del Fuoco was an obvious choice. Here are a couple of shots of the frame & the (I think) Deutz F6L engine: I didn't have any good references for the interior of Vigili del Fuoco vehicles from the 1980s, so I went with what Italeri suggested: And a couple of shots of the body in primer. It will eventually be Testors Model Masters Italian Red (seems logical): Well, there you have it. Any suggestions are, of course, welcome; and I'll keep you up to date as I progress.

Looking good. Don't forget to cut the tabs off of the bottom of the cab/sleeper.

Good looking Mack.

Thanks for compliment, Oscar. I've never built one of the Testors/Lindberg/IMC trailers, so I cannot comment on them. One thing you will need to do is make the hole in the Revell-Monogram fifth-wheel a little bigger to accept the AMT kingpin.

Most of the AMT semi-trailers are relatively easy. Let's face it, they're just a box with wheels. So the external post van, dry van, or flatbed would be fine. If you want simple I'd steer clear of the AMT Tank Trailer. What a nightmare! The Wilson Livestock trailer is nice, too; but because the fifth wheel on the KW is fixed, the rear of the frame hits the belly of the trailer. Here are a couple of examples with the Revell USA snap KW W900: I thought I had one with the external post van, but I can't seem to find it.

I like it in the Hemi Orange. Looks good. As to your stacks, they can be no more that 13'-6" from the road surface (which in scale is 162mm). Oh, where are your air cleaners? Here is a list of several aftermarket companies: American Industrial Truck Models ( www.aitruckmodels.com/ ) - resin parts (also hosts Illini Replicas) Model Truckin' ( modeltruckin.com/store/ ) - decals (Jerry is a member here & a great guy) Plaskit - resin parts (Daniel doesn't have a Website, but you can email him at plaskit_resin@yahoo.ca) GW Trucks - resin parts (Gary doesn't have a Website, but you can email him at gwtrucks@yahoo.com for a catalog) P&P Resin Works ( www.ppvintagekits.com/ ) - resin parts Model Maker Shop ( www.modelmakershop.com/modelmakershop/index.php?XTCsid=df08c8lr8cf38ov5u7s3a28e41 ) - resin, P/E, decals Kit Form Services ( www.kitformservices.com/ ) - resin, P/E, decals GR Decals ( www.grdecals.com.au/ ) - decals & P/E Auslowe ( www.auslowe.com.au/ ) - resin, decals, P/E Melbourne Model Truck Accessories ( www.freewebs.com/mmtaer/truckparts.htm ) - resin, P/E, decals The Model Car Garage ( www.modelcargarage.com/store/pc/default.asp ) - mostly car stuff, but some P/E & detail items for rigs Scale Modeling by Chris ( www.scalemodelingbychris.com/ ) - mostly car diorama stuff, but some things could be useful Scale Equipment Ltd. ( www.seltd.net/ ) - mostly car diorama stuff, but some things could be useful Detail Master sell almost all of the lines mentioned above plus they make some Photo Etch sets of the following: interior "junk" sun glasses and stuff. Detail Master also makes speaker grills, radio/CB faces, door hands window cranks, seat belt buckles and power widow switches. www.detailmaster.com/ Scale Motor Sports make interior upholstery decals and Faux Upolstery paint. www.scalemotorsport.com/merchant2/

Very nice job on the SBD. Very well detailed.

Fantastic job on the General. Bo & Luke would be proud. Great details.

If you're talking "fleet truck", then, yes, a black frame is pretty standard now a days. Not so much back in the 1970 & 1980, though. Now, it you're talking an owner/operator (O/O) truck, then the sky's the limit. You can pretty much paint the frame whatever color you want. You can even do black! Snoop around on Hank's Truck Pictures ( http://hankstruckpictures.com/trucks.htm ). You'll get lots of ideas. Becareful though! It's a realy blackhole of time.

That's a really unique subject, & beautifully done. Thanks for sharing.

That sure is a beast! Fantastic job.

Most likely. Did all of the Bicentennial W900 have KTA600? What about the Bicentennial K100?

Nice color combo.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Oh, who needs brakes! I thought Kenworth had petty much stopped the white engines by 1976. I know Peterbilt had white engines until about 1986 (give it take a little).

Well, that's different!

Welcome to semi trucks! The Revell-USA snap Kenworth W900 is a decent kit. The engine is well detailed, and the truck itself builds out nicely. The frame is a little simplified, the tires are too skinney & fit poorly, and there is no brake detail. With a little effort it can be a well detailed model. The model represents a 1976-82 W900. So you know, the engine is a Caterpiller 3406 and should be Equipment Yellow, not tan per the instructions.

I saw them on their site (went looking after I posted that). Very interesting. They look a lot better than the ones that come in the 1/32 kits. They seem kind of pricy, but nice looking. And with the tires, too.

Neat trick! I'll have to try that. Thanks.

Nice work. I didn't know Auslowe made 1/32 stuff.

That's one sweet looking KW. You did a fine job. As to the plates, yes, back in the 1970s you needed a plate for every state you ran through. I agree with JT on the Revell-Monogram kits: they're inexpensive, well detailed for a snap kit, & easy to build. There are a couple of downsides though. The tires are not very good, and if you want to make then a daycab the sleepers are molded with the cabs. There is also no brake details.

I think I've seen this one before. Isn't this paper?

Cool build.

That's really sweet!