AMT Construction Bulldozer

[Chariots of Fire]

That's certainly one way, Art!  Another way would be to get some 3D printed.

[gotnitro?]

I thought I'd seen a photoetch set for the dozer that had a new grill and numerous other details..but can't recall where I' ve seen it now . 

[Jim B]

The only bulldozer P/E sets I've seen are for the 1/35 D9R.

[Aaronw]

The grousers are perhaps exaggerated but not grossly inaccurate, just an extreme type. I'm guessing they based them on a brand new very aggressive track for use in terrain, something like you might find on a logging dozer. 

You will find tracks vary greatly in design depending on the intended use from nearly flat to very aggressive similar to what is in the kit. 

 

Here is a nice set of photos like might be useful for detailing the kit. Also shows similar tracks to the kit although not quite so tall. 

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/150910/item/J8575

 

and another without ROPS and a much less aggressive track style

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/130227A/item/C3395

  

The grill on the box art actually looks more accurate that the last issue. The grill is probably the most disappointing aspect of this kit.

The last RC2 era issue had regular plastic for the tracks, I hope this issue does the same I had no problem painting them.

 

Decals are fairly easy to get around. For most of the production Caterpillar used simple block letters, the stylized C A T came late in this models production. The rippers are also easily cast. I made a few copies so I could build mine with 3. Unfortunately I had some resin go bad and refuse to cure remaining a gooey mess. Since I had what I needed I tossed the mold. 

Edited March 31, 2018 by Aaronw

[Flynlo]

I have aftermarket copies of the decals that I found on eBay after I built this one as a recent overhauled/re-painted unit which is common for these beasts.

The grill area was opened up and replaced with fine mesh stainless steel screen,

Also added suitable dirt (from model RR balast),  gunk and cast extra ripper teeth

[landman]

How much is it going to sell for?

[Aaronw]

Model Round up has it listed for $36 with an expected arrival of May 2018. 

[Bucky]

That's not an extreme price for a big kit.

[landman]

I'll check with the store here . it would be another 25-30 for shipping from the US.

[tim boyd]

On ‎3‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 9:33 PM, Flynlo said:

I have aftermarket copies of the decals that I found on eBay after I built this one as a recent overhauled/re-painted unit which is common for these beasts.

The grill area was opened up and replaced with fine mesh stainless steel screen,

Also added suitable dirt (from model RR balast),  gunk and cast extra ripper teeth

Tim....that is an exceptionally well done project....looks super-realistic, too.  Congrats....TIM 

[Flynlo]

Thanks Tim!

[Ben]

On 3/29/2018 at 7:27 PM, Chariots of Fire said:

The one issue I have always had with this kit is the tracks.  The grousers are just way too tall and klunky looking.  I have a kit but have never built one.  It might take doing the track links all over again and casting a bunch.  Jeff Harper did just that with his 1920's Marion steam shovel.  Made two links, cast each one and just kept on casting until he had something like 62 links for each track.  The effect was totally awesome.

This is an in-progress shot of what he scratch built.

Finished shovel and a 1932 AP Mack n the foreground.

I had the correct tracks drawn up for print on Shapeways for my D9T high track dozer. The D8H idler wheels need to be widened a bit to fit the tracks properly. The white version is just five links for test fitting if desired.

[Chariots of Fire]

Hey!  those are nice!  Quite an improvement on the kit parts.  You say you did them for a D9.  Is there much difference between the D8 and D9 that would be noticeable?

[niteowl7710]

This is on the pile of things to be released in May.

[Dieselhead]

On 4/14/2018 at 8:33 AM, Chariots of Fire said:

Hey!  those are nice!  Quite an improvement on the kit parts.  You say you did them for a D9.  Is there much difference between the D8 and D9 that would be noticeable?

D9 track of a similar vintage (H and G models) would be wider, for the "normal" width about 2" wider on the 1:1, whereas D8H track would be about 22". However, the true width difference depends on which spec of track is modeled by each respective source. D9 track would also have more links per side. 

[Ben]

On 4/14/2018 at 9:33 AM, Chariots of Fire said:

Hey!  those are nice!  Quite an improvement on the kit parts.  You say you did them for a D9.  Is there much difference between the D8 and D9 that would be noticeable?

The idler wheels are a little bit too wide on the D8H but that’s an easy fix.

[Ben]

On 4/14/2018 at 9:33 AM, Chariots of Fire said:

Hey!  those are nice!  Quite an improvement on the kit parts.  You say you did them for a D9.  Is there much difference between the D8 and D9 that would be noticeable?

This D9T drive sprocket was made using the sprocket from the D8H kit. The 3D printed tracks fit it perfectly.

[Ben]

Here’s how the D9T tracks I had made compare to real D8H tracks.

[Ben]

On 3/30/2018 at 6:48 PM, Aaronw said:

The grousers are perhaps exaggerated but not grossly inaccurate, just an extreme type. I'm guessing they based them on a brand new very aggressive track for use in terrain, something like you might find on a logging dozer. 

You will find tracks vary greatly in design depending on the intended use from nearly flat to very aggressive similar to what is in the kit. 

 

Here is a nice set of photos like might be useful for detailing the kit. Also shows similar tracks to the kit although not quite so tall. 

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/150910/item/J8575

 

and another without ROPS and a much less aggressive track style

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/130227A/item/C3395

  

The grill on the box art actually looks more accurate that the last issue. The grill is probably the most disappointing aspect of this kit.

The last RC2 era issue had regular plastic for the tracks, I hope this issue does the same I had no problem painting them.

 

Decals are fairly easy to get around. For most of the production Caterpillar used simple block letters, the stylized C A T came late in this models production. The rippers are also easily cast. I made a few copies so I could build mine with 3. Unfortunately I had some resin go bad and refuse to cure remaining a gooey mess. Since I had what I needed I tossed the mold. 

For the grill, Jamie Rahmoller at moluminum.com may still have the photo etch sets that were designed specifically for this kit. The set has the grill, fan guard and several other items. If he doesn’t have any more, Plano Model Products has photo etch screen with the round holes.

[Ben]

This is the photo etch set I got from Jamie Rahmoller. They were produced in a very small number so I don’t know if he still has them?

[Ben]

Great article on building the D8H

https://www.die-leitplanke.de/herzlich-willkommen/modelle-im-bau-2/caterpillar-d8h-amt-matchbox-m-1-25/

[redneckrigger]

Jamie had some of the photoetch kits at NNL East...........got some of them from him.  GREAT tracks................gonna have to get some of those for sure!

[Warren D]

On 5/1/2018 at 9:28 PM, redneckrigger said:

Jamie had some of the photoetch kits at NNL East...........got some of them from him.  GREAT tracks................gonna have to get some of those for sure!

Anyone have an e-mail for Moluminum?  The contact link on their site is broken.

Got it, had to use IE.  For some reason Firefox does like the site.

Edited May 3, 2018 by Warren D

[mailman]

On 3/29/2018 at 4:02 PM, alexis said:

Like Greg Smith mentioned, I wish they would put in more than one ripper. Never made sense to have holes for three, and only one shank in the kit. Never the less, I'll be in for one of these. Going to build in in Navy Grey as a SeaBee Machine.

when i was in mcb 40 back in the early 70's all our equipment including dozers ,d8s,hd 21s,td25s were all od green....

[stavanzer]

^MCB?