Diesel Jockey

I built the reefer back in 1999 I think and at the time it really didn't bother me that it had multiple parts for the sides, roof and floor. But it just didn't look aesthetically correct for a US style reefer trailer. I have physically seen them whilst in the US and I have seen photos and it just doesn't do it for me now. I have my old one on the bench awaiting restoration including air ride suspension, repaint and better detailing to try and make it as close as possible to the real thing. If AMT can manufacture reefer and dry vans with one piece sides, floor and roof I'm sure Italeri could. As for the Volvo, I think they are great and when built they look amazing. I have two that are almost complete. Not that I am complaining but Italeri should have made it so that it had a multipart frame, pose able front axle, and a detailed engine with a tilting hood and that would have made it an AWESOME kit in my opinion.

Italeri need to go beyond correcting the height issue. They need to make the floor, the roof and the sides just like the Moebius Reefer trailer. Air ride sliding tandem with correct wheel hubs wouldn't hurt either.

You are right Highway, the Watkins W925 had the torsion bar suspension initially and I've only seen one kit listed one time. Thanks for the information guys.

Thank you.

Can someone please tell me how rare the AMT Kenworth kits, either the K123 Cabover or the W925 Conventionals, are that feature the Torsion Bar Suspension?

As I child I had the same Matchbox vehicle. I remember it as the Alvis Stwart? I'm sure I had one with 8 wheels? Could I be wrong? Was I thinking of another Matchbox vehicle from the same era? I do remember the BP markings though. We used to have a next door neighbor that operated a BP service station(Gas Station to our US folk) which included a mechanical repair garage and one Christmas I was presented with a plastic BP gas tanker and trailer. I think it would have been at least 1/32 scale if not 1/25 scale. It was a Mercedes Benz with a tag trailer. I would have been 3 or 4 maybe. Thanks for reviving my childhood memories!

I am thinking of buying a set to try on a snap KW Aerodyne Conventional. They would be a darn sight better than those awful wheels and tyres that come with the kit. I two AMT builds that I abandoned some time ago. One is a Peterbilt 359. I think these might just work on this kit and give me the inspiration I need.

Not sure if this is the right place to mention this, but I will anyway, I just noticed an Australian eBay seller offering a Moebius Models Accessory Pack Big Rig Chrome Wheels and Tyres #1010 in proper Moebius packaging. I hope there are more good things to come for the truck modeling fraternity!!

JT, Your VN 670 in dark blue looks great! I take it that it is a metallic blue? All it needs is a good gloss clear coat to make it pop! I have a 2 VN780's that I am working on that are nearly finished. One in a metallic red/clear coat with a gold chassis and the other in an indigo/purple metallic/clear coat with a black chassis. I think these VN Volvos look better in a dark colour!

The aero Heritage was known as the 3800e here in Australia. See one every now and then. Its an ugly truck!! As for Western Stars not being built in Canada anymore, thanks for the clarification. A lot of people down here still think they are. I was one of them. A few years ago I was working for a trucking company and we had an owner operator purchase a WS Heritage and at the time they were being built in Canada. It was to be painted in the company's fleet colours, a two tone scheme. The top half of the cab and sleeper in cream over french blue and the hood, frame and running gear in french blue also. When it landed in Australia they got the blue wrong!! DOH!! was all he could say. The compnay owner bought the correct blue paint and the poor owner operator had to shell out more bucks to have it corrected. Another owner operator purchased a new Constellation out of Canada 2000 in the same colours and it came out perfect.

As far as I know all WS products for Australia are fullt built up in Canada and they are driven off the boat here is Australia. Any other modifications that are Austrlalian Specific are done here in Australia prior to the truck entering service, such as extra fuel tanks and so on. In the latest models I have seen, the hoods, cab and sleeper, including aftermarket and stratosphere sleeper, sit higher off of the chassis for better engine cooling due to the heavier weights hauled plus the fact that most Western Stars will tow two or more trailers in their operational lifetime. They are a very popular truck here is Australia.