Jim B

You're welcome. I found them a while ago, and I thought they applied here. Might be a project I'll attempt some time in the future.

That dash is amazing! Very nicely detailed. Actually, the whole thing is amazing! The color for the Detroit Diesel 8V71 that comes in the Astro kit is Detroit Diesel Alpine Green. We can get it here in the US at auto parts stores, but I don't know about Germany.

Thanks, Josh, I'd appreciate the photos if you can find any. As for the conversion, I'd kind of like to see how this one goes together before I start making too many changes. The Models by Dave Ward-LaFrance cab is on my "to buy" list, though.

Thanks, Aaron. I'll definatly check out your site. I suppose I should add: is there a "propper" red? I have Dupli-Color Victory Red. Will that do?

My next build is going to be the AMT American-LaFrance 1000 Series Pumper. Now, I know that this is a 1970s truck (like most of the AMT releases), but I can not find any detail photos of the interior. I'm planning on a semi-gloss black frame, Alpine Green Detroit Diesel, and a red body; but what color was the interior (dash, floor, seats, etc)? Did American-LaFrance use OEM colors for their engines? Seemed to be a trend in the 1970s to have them painted another color. Since this is my first fire truck, I'm sure I'll have more questions. Maybe the next one will be a Ward-LaFrance conversion. My wife is a big fan of "Emergency!" Thanks.

Right here! http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/ He's got the only L-10 Cummins that I know of.

Personally, I like the LTL9000 better myself.

I've read that the Superliner has some issues (curbside, Freighliner frame, no logos/insignia etc.), but the ones I've seen build out nicely though. Here are some articles from 2001 Scale Auto Enthusiast concerning correcting/detailing the Mack Superliner: http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thsca...01_01__januari/ http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thsca...1_02__februari/ http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thsca...2001_03__march/ http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thsca...2001_04__april/ http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thsca..._2001_06__june/ It's a lot of work, but your Superliner will look really nice when it's done.

I suppose you could use these plans for your bottom dump trailer: http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thsca...08__julyaugust/ http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thsca...00_10__october/

You can find the Detroit Diesel 12V71 in resin also: http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/?page_id=...;product_id=208 As well as the Cummins V903: http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/?page_id=...;product_id=229 (I have this one, it's nice; though I wish it was a VT903) And the Cat 3406: http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/?page_id=...;product_id=200 (The Cat 3406 also comes in the Revel USA Snap Peterbilt 359, and is fairly well detailed.) I believe a Cat 3408 comes in the Revell of Germany Kenworth Australia.

Amazing details, Kurt. I like all of the little touches like the pine tree air freshener. Great work.

Tim, Very nice. You really know your way around Peterbilt kits. Sometimes the slicing & dicing you do simply amazes me. The cab iterior details are very nice. Adds a touch of realism. I did notice that the A/C unit on the 1:1 truck looks like it's on the sleeper, while yours is on the drom box. Would there be a reason why there would be an extra A/C unit on the sleeper (other than to save fuel)? Aren't they usually cooled & heated from the cab?

Your KW looks very nice. I like the color combination.

Snoop around here, he sells the Mack spokes. http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/ Dave sells the Mack spokes, too. http://www.aitruckmodels.com/pages/kitsparts.html

Looks nice. Like the colors.

Nice little tractor. What would a truck like this be marketed toward? Beverage or local delivery? Box truck or light dump?

Aaron, nice truck. Are the roll-up doors individual pieces, or are they scribed?

If you want to be totally accurate, you'll need a GMC Topkick conversion kit, too. Like this one: http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/?page_id=...p;product_id=28 I've seen people use PVC pipe to make rear fenders for tractors, so that might be a place to start to get the curve. Then use plastic sheets to make the box. Worth a try!

I bet the fuel mileage sucks. Neat idea, though. Didn;t Jim Etter make something like this on an old Mack B61 chassis? Built on a dump bed? Makes it easier to get the kids out of bed in the morning!

Sweet! Are you cross-eyed yet? I know I get that way after working on 1/700 photo-etch railings.

I don't remember the glass not fitting, but the hood to cab joint can be a little finiky. You really have to play with the cab mounts until you can get the cab & hood to sit nicely.

According to the Wikipeda site, the color was Coffee Brown with Gold trim.

No, they're regular dump trucks. Construction types. We don't grow a lot of grain up here. Corn, potatoes, onions, dairy.

Looks good, Ray. Question on dump bodies: I see around here (Central New York) that many dump bodies have two or three small door on the bottom of the main tailgate. Is this usual? Are they just used for salt trucks?

Right here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokey_%26_the_Bandit Look in the Production section. It talks about the truck there. It references a thread over at Hank's Truck Pictures.