Chuck Most Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 This is a rundown old unit- seems like I always used to see rough riders like this being used for spotting duty wherever semi trailers liked to lurk. Or maybe it's used by a farmer during harvest time, or a scrap hauler. It may be a bit past its prime for extensive highway work, but it'll still get the job done. I built this from an original T546 kit, because there's no reason to buy a kit with no intention of ever building it. That version came with skinny Firestone tires, some crappy decals (mine wouldn't even release from the backer after a five minute soak), and the Western Star logo engraved on the mud flaps- the Round 2 reissue lacks all of those things, though the last one is the only real bummer. I used the beefier looking 11x20 Goodyears from a White Freightliner Dual Drive. I also used the rear wheels, hubs, leaf spring suspension, and axles from that kit. Since the original decals were unusable, I robbed from spares from the Round 2 reissue. Like many old beaters, this one has undergone a heart transplant- there's now an early '80's CAT under the hood, swapped in when the original Cummins gave up the ghost. At some point the hood and driver's side door were replaced with mismatched salvage yard pieces. Or who knows? Maybe that old Cummins caught fire, taking the cab and hood with it, and the truck was rebuilt with whatever the junk guy had in stock. Sometimes the backstory is unknown, and the mind can reel when treated to a sight like an old rig in this kind of condition. Somehow in the midst of all this, nobody noticed the broken passenger's side low-beam and the missing turn signal... much less the AWOL fog lamps. The Ontario plate on the passenger's side of the front bumper might be another clue to this old Star's past... perhaps it has passed through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel so many times it could technically be considered a submarine. It was a quick and fun project- I think it'll end up on a flatbed being towed by a much nicer WWS.
Guest Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Nice work Chuck, I like it. The 3406 looks good in there.
disabled modeler Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Looks like it has worked hard for quite some time...nice work...
Superpeterbilt Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Excellent job Chuck. Throw a dump body on it and it looks like a friend of mines WS. Down here in Louisiana this truck would still be pulling a dump trailer and running everyday.
towman1271 Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Great job...Love the idea of a hard worked unit
Old Buckaroo Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 This is a spectacular WWS. I would have to say what grabs my attention the most is the grungy wheels. Top notch all the way
tbill Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Chuck, you are the master of grunge! another beautifully weathered rig.
gatorincebu Posted March 18, 2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Yup! you have fore sure nailed the look of an old workhorse not quite yet ready for the scrap yard. Well dun. be Well Gator
Chuck Most Posted March 23, 2015 Author Posted March 23, 2015 Thanks, guys! Now I have to dig out that Loadcraft lowboy, hook it up to the custom green one, and plop this on the back.
Jonj238 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Nice job on the weathering, looks like a typical older vehicle in Michigan.
1959scudetto Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Great truck, Chuck - excellent weathering and rust (could be the "sister truck" of the old Pete Duel tanker) ! Very realistic looking!!!
kilrathy10 Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 That looks pretty cool....Very natural looking wear and tear treatment....I like this one....
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted June 16, 2015 Posted June 16, 2015 This is my kind of build. I like this one very much! I like the old workhorses. Great work!!!!
Old Albion Posted June 16, 2015 Posted June 16, 2015 I really like this! The weathering is first class!
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