Fat Brian

I always thought they were powered by the steering system somehow but after some reading most seem to work like casters and just follow the angle between the front and rear tires. Hendrickson makes a system that uses some air pressure from the bags to re-center the wheels but they don't "steer" as we think of it. All of the Hendrickson systems say to lift the axle in reverse because it can't follow correct going backwards.

I've never encountered an unbuildable kit but there are many that aren't worth the effort to fix them when better alternatives exist. The AMT 69 Daytona was one for me, I already had the Revell ProModeler version but picked up the AMT kit up to see what it was about. I picked over the few parts worth keeping, used the body for paint testing, and the rest went in the trash can. To me there was no point in using my time polishing excrement when I had a better alternative. There are times when a bad kit is all we have and I don't mind putting the work in but I try not to punish myself when I don't have to.

There are instructions somewhere to build one out of a plastic tub and simple exhaust fan. The biggest thing is to be sure the fan is intrinsically safe so you can spray flammable paints in it.

If you already have the Freightliner then build it, it's not so difficult that you should trade it. The only real issue is the multi-piece cab but it's not that bad. Don't worry about saving the rivets on the roof, their over done anyway. Loosing them makes fixing the seam on the roof much easier. Be sure to sand the edges of the interior tub to keep it from fitting too tight or it can split the cab after it's painted. You might as well learn on a kit that's cheap and easy to replace.

All of the old AMT kits take a lot of test fitting and truing up the parts to get a good fit and keep things straight. I can't speak for the Kenworth but the Freightliner does take some work but can be built into a nice looking piece.

I appreciate the variety here, I build just about anything with wheels and armor and aircraft too.

It's about the same same vintage as the 65 Impala, it's a very good kit.

There is a search function on ebay that will let you see what similar items have sold for in the past which can help as some of the "buy it now" prices are ridiculous.

It looks like it comes with all of the parts to build it as a regular semi tractor, check out the youtube video below to see the parts trees.

I would almost like resin tires better so the wouldn't flat spot. The frame is going to be some work, the C channel is double stacked where the springs are and there are no lift blocks and then trying to get the van frame on there too.

Terry, I can't find any detail pics of exactly how the two frames were attached. I put up a Hail Mary yesterday and emailed the company Jim owns, everyone who's met him says he's a pretty cool guy so hopefully he'll get back to me and I can ask some questions about the truck. How did you fix the tires, cut a left and a right in two and then join the two halves with the small holes? I have some MPC wheel backs that will fit the small hole from the Dodge truck kit if you want to copy them.

The Phantom Ford van that was just reissued has a custom grille with stacked lights that is going to be the starting point for the one I need.

As soon as my guy is done with the decals I'll have everything I need to start. I was going to use a modified Rescue 911 van body but once I saw they had made the exact right one I had to chase one down.

It will be even cooler when I'm done with it.

Not exactly a truck but I just picked up a 74 Dodge van in the old MPC Truckin' USA kit to use for my Rollin' Thunder replica.

The kit you want was reissued not long ago, here is a pic of the box below. They also redid a 73 Mustang around the same time but it's a modified version and can't be built stock. The chassis in the 71 kit is pretty rough, no kit out there has a better one that would be accurate for the car but you could probably make something close from the Revell 70 Torino kit.

Check out this link, go into the photo gallery for tons of pics. These are from the late 80's and early 90's. http://www.pulling-reference.com/ham91-mod.htm

Thanks, I hope to have another update in a day or two.

If you're new to modeling I would definitely start with the GTO, it's an easier build but still turns into a nice looking finished build.

If you're brush painting it it's not a big deal, if you're spraying it it's better to err on the side of caution. Just about any base type cleaner shuold be okay, Super Clean, Purple Power, even dollar store LA's Totally Awesome should do the job.

Depending on the carb I use Testors Aluminium or Gold, Model Master Chrome Silver, or a mix I made of 2/3 Chrome Silver and 1/3 Gold.

The chrome rocker panels are options available on the stock car as part of the upgraded trim package. For an Eighties prostreet when everything was monochromatic they are a bit out of place. There is a more recent trend toward keeping the body more stock or at least having stock appearing moldings but really it's up to you. I don't think the rocker panels look bad if you keep the rest of the body mostly stock appearing.

This is probably my oldest finished model, it's close to twenty years old now.

If I remember correctly the rocker panels are optional on that kit so you can leave them off totally if you want.

That's right, the difference is pretty minimal.