hooknladderno1

Hi guys, Thanks for your suggestions. With the help of a jewelers saw, Dymo label tape, and a little patience, I was able to go from this: to this: Still have to close off the back of the cab, and decide if I want to correct the distance from the front tire to the trailing bodywork just behind it...

Jeff, Thanks for the plug ! Dave, The Revell/Monogram plastic kits are readily available, and inexpensive. The Johnny Lightning diecast pictured above is very hard to find(at least for me). The R/M kits are a good basis for a 1/25 scale Hummer, but do require quite a bit of attention and detailing to really make them POP! The JL diecast are very well detailed. The Jurassic Park version pictured above comes painted as shown. To further confuse you, this is what can be done with a little patience, a jewelers saw and some Dymo label tape: I have not seen the Miasto military versions that are currently offered in person. They do seem to sit a little low to my eye. Miasto used to offer a nice Hummer H1 four door wagon, but it was more like 1/30 scale. Hope this helps.

Is there anyone out there casting the wheels and tires from the Trumpeter American La France kit? I know of several modelers wanting to build dual rear axle conversions(tankers, heavy rescues and ladders) or tractor drawn aerials, who could use extra wheels and tires. It would be a popular product! Thanks.

Jim, Excellent scratchbuilding AND detailing! Each time you look at a photo you find details you didn't see before!

You may want to try using the 1/32 scale Mack R kit for with the trailer that has been out for the ablut a year. It may involve sectioning the trailer to make it 1/24 scale. The basic front shape is there. Just a suggestion.

Question for those of you that work with diecast. I recently bought a 1/25 scale diecast Hummer four door that I want to convert into a two door. This is a Johnny Lightning diecast, and is very detailed. It would make a good basis for any Hummer conversion. I want to convert this into a two door to make it into a brush firefighting unit similar to this: The unit above was created from a plastic Revell-Monogram Jurassic Park Hummer kit. This kit is very basic, and lacks detail. It required a lot of detail work to make it look the way that it does... Any suggestions on cutting the straight lines would be appreciated.. Thanks in advance.

Okay Guys, Here is my experience with the Duplicolor Universal Chrome. Worked great!

Another little update: Work continues on the major sub assemblies and parts. The tank is just about ready for some white primer and color! The rear tank/control assembly also is nearing the paint shop stage. Have yet to start the cab, which will be white over bright yellow. I have been coloring a few different copies of the line drawings on the instruction sheet to see where I want the white/yellow color breaks to be... Plans also include a horizontal royal blue "Z" stripe along the body. I am also considering some "Smokey the Bear" graphics, as this is a brush tanker for the Bear Fire Dept. The polished aluminum pieces(fuel tank, small compartment and area over the front wheels) was done with a base coat of Krylon gloss black and Duplicolor Uniiversal Chrome as pictured below: Below are close-ups of the tank: I have a busy work schedule over the next 10 days, so I don't expect much of an update... Thanks for looking!

Michael, Did the old spoon test today - WOW! Good results from a rattle can! I only put on two light coats. I will try it again - this time with the three medium coats. By the way, I was able to find the Duplicolor Universal Chrome at my local AutoZone! It was the third store I checked(after Advanced Automotive and NAPA). Not quite as good as Alclad, but when you don't have access to your airbrush and compressor(in storage), I'll take it! I used Krylon Gloss Black underneath. Thanks again!

Hey Guys, Here is a little update:While the kit wheels leave something to be desired, I thought I would try to make them serviceable. I have been taking my time with the chassis, filling sink marks and removing mold lines. The tank has a large horizontal seam that requires filling. Two axles have been glued in place, the other two are awaiting the drive train painting to be completed. It has been challenging figuring out what colors to paint the chassis components, because the military M978's are painted either all one color or camoflauge. Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for looking!

Mike, What gloss black did you use? Any particular brand? I know with Alclad, Tamiya or Krylon gloss black is reccommened.

Yes guys, that's the one! Any one have one that we could send to a reputable caster?

Hi Guys, Does anyone know if the late 70's/early 80's Ford van grille with the square headlights is offered in resin? I am wanting to replicate some of the period correct vehicles that I served on. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.

Tom, Thanks for your reply! In thinking about it, I am going to attempt to make a template of where the rear extension bumps out on the sides. Then transferring the shape to thin Evergreen sheet(0.010 or 0.015) and beveling the edge. I would then apply some thinned putty or Mr. Surfacer to fill in the gaps... I will try this on scrap plastic first. If it works, I will share the template, photos and technique - unless someone beats me to it . Thanks to all for your input. Any other suggestions, detail photos or 1:1 measurements would be appreciated!

Wow Tom, that is great! Do you have any" in progress" photos to show the "how-to"? Three other questions: 1. Any suggestions on maintaining the consistancy of the cornes on the windows that you made? 2. Do you have the dimensions of where you made the cuts? 3. Any suggestions for replicating the recessed moldings around the sides of the rear body extension as in the photo of the red ambulance at the begining of the thread? Thanks.

Hi Guys, The re-release of the AMT Ford V(Ph)antom got me thinking... Have any of you ever attempted to build an "extended version of this kit? If so, what techniques did you use? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I ran on a few of these, both as raised roof ambulances, and later as paramedic units in converted extended vans. My "engineering" skills are somewhat lacking... I am especially puzzled about the body extenension behind the rear wheels Thanks.

Aaron, Thanks for your reply. I am in the process of painting the chassis components like the axles, springs, etc. Busy at work at the moment. I will update the build thread soon. JT, I don't have a 1/35 scale ruler to convert the measurements for you. I WISH that someone made a 1/24-1/25 scale kit of the M978! One modeler built a large scale R/C version that is easily found on the Internet. You may want to pick up a 1/35 scale kit to use as a master to get your shapes and measurement conversions. Good luck. David

Hi Dave, It looks GREAT! I would really like to see a photo or photos of your parts/kits assembled. Some of us may not know what all of your kits look like together. Look forward to seeing the projects in the pipeline. Thanks! David

Hi Guys, I am building a civilian version of an Oshkosh M978. This is a military fuel tanker based on the HEMTT chassis . My question is: “What color(s) are the chassis components?” I am planning on painting the frame itself the body color. Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. David

Hi Guys, Can anyone help me identify this style of Peterbilt cab? The truck dates back to at least 1985. It was featured in the old Fire Apparatus Model Builders Assocition(FAMBA) newsletter of that year. Pretty sharp looking all wheel drive heavy rescue. The truck was built by Emergency One, and is reportedly still in front line service in Hayden, CO. Sorry that the photo is so small... Thanks.

Hi Guys, Just wondering if anyone here has attempted converting the Ford Aeromax 120 kit http://www.eddylende...evell 07245.jpg into a more modern Sterling heavy truck such as the AT9500?http://media.sandhil...A7Ar6DZKoFXBg== I am not an expert on Sterlings, so don't be too tough on me. I happen to have one in my stash, and am always looking for new cabs for projects. Any suggestions or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Here is an article written about the Oshkosh Phoenix: http://forums.subdri...enix&p=77148400 Hope it provides some insight into this Beast...

Casey, Great job on this conversion! One of these days I would love to get my hands on one of the loooong wheelbase craftsman style window vans. When I joined my squad back in '79, we had a Dodge type ll van and two Cadillac ambulances! Problem is getting photos of them. At 16, I didn't think of doing that...

Okay Guys, After a move halfway across the country, and going from a 4 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom apartment - I am ready to begin building again! As a mostly "fire apparatus builder", and lover of tankers/tenders, I recently purchased the following kit: It is an Italeri 1:35 scale HEMTT M978 military tanker. While I usually build only 1:24-25 scale vehicles, this is one that I have wanted to do for a while. Most of these units are in use by our armed forces, but Oshkosh/Pierce Manufacturing offered these as civilian units a few years back under the name Phoenix. Few of these were ever sold. The only two that I know of was a blue/purple demo unit for a contract fire protection firm. The unit pictured here belongs to a fire company in Pennsylvania: I do not know if this was part of the Phoenix line, or surplus.... It will be painted to match the livery of my fictitious Bear Fire Department's Lums Pond Station 4: I will be attempting to paint this in the apartment in the Florida heat and humidity without the aid of a spray booth or airbrush... Wish me luck! Thanks for looking!

Dave, This is fantastic!!! I to have sooooo many ideas. I know I have stated this before, but a Prostar heavy rescue and water tanker/tender are in my fire department's future!