De-Aerodyned K100

[The Brush]

Brilliant work on this k100, your attention to detail is second to none.

Graham

[Rockford]

Thanks Graham, that's praise indeed coming from yourself with the work you do. I have the ideas but not the ability I'm afraid, my work is quite agricultural. Eyes, hands and finances all limit my projects. 

I dont think I'm going to be able to paint until June the way the weather is looking so far this year!

[Rockford]

The 1/32 AMT Snap-Fit kits have few highlights but one of them is the Holland fifth wheel which, with some careful attention, can be excellent. I've only got two, both used, so I thought I'd try making one of my own to use on this KW. 

I used the one off the W900 as a pattern and used masking tape to trace the shape and the details. Then I transferred that to card stock and got a basic shape. I carefully cut out the well in the middle of the plate and put another layer underneath shaped the same. I've practiced scribing the grease channels in the plate, will try that tomorrow. 

[tractoraholic]

I really like what you do with these 1/32 trucks. You take them to the next level, great job!

[Rockford]

Now the W900 is finished it's back onto the K100. I had started making a cast iron Holland fifth-wheel rather than the pressed steel type I had. I love the shape of the Holland unit, it's real 1970s in my opinion. 

I used a pair of pointed callipers to scribe the grooves on the plate, following the outer edge, then deepened them with a triangular file. Turning it over I added gudgeons, the substructure and the release handle. Fitted it to the sliding frame and it looks much better to me. 

[JamesBC]

Very nice, I noticed the airlines on the rear driver,,nice 

 

[Trendsetta68]

love where this is headed

[Rockford]

There's no substitute for preparation. I rubbed the roof down and then shot a few coats of primer. The results were good but there were some obvious issues. Pinholes, holes I'd completely missed and a sunken area where I'd glued one piece on. 

I gave it another very thin skim and went over it with a 600 grit sanding pad, wet. Gave it another two coats of primer and it looks great. Looks like one piece, as intended. The paint gives your eyes so much more detail and the stopper seems to blend better. 

Because of the lousy weather I'd usually feel the pressure to accept it warts and all, but I've done so much work I thought I'd try again. Boy did it pay dividends! 

[JamesBC]

Looks great, you do great work.

[Gary Chastain]

Lovin the detail

[Rockford]

I haven't touched this since September. The weather has been too damp and cold for paint. Yesterday was about the first day where the temperature and humidity has been acceptable but still there were 50mph winds so, nothing is ever perfect. 

Managed to get the chassis, cab and other parts covered in a not too bad fashion. I need to look at a stripe for the cab before I carry on. 

[Rockford]

Mock up time. Painted my tank straps. Managed to get him on his feet using a borrowed set of drive wheels, even did a bit of shunting in the yard! Looks like a K100 should to me! 

[Rockford]

Managed to get the rear wheels together and fitted. I painted the wheels, they're much more realistic than the chrome pieces in the kit. Mocked up the quarter fenders and mudflaps. I considered reworking the rims as I have on other kits but this kit was bought built-up and the rims are glued into the tyres. I'd destroy them all getting them apart and I can't afford to waste them. So, I'll have to leave these as they are. (Force will tell me off)

Edited April 11, 2024 by Rockford
Text corrected

[Scott Eriksen]

Looks good Steve!

[Rockford]

Did my airlines and pogo stick, made some gladhands from 1/16 Ali tube. I crushed one end flat to represent the actual palm itself. Had to drill them out to fit the thread in and then super glued them. 

Added the stacks and fuel lines from the tanks. Foiled the front bumper for a brighter look. 

Quick mock up and it's got a good K100 stance. 

[Jürgen M.]

Beautiful! Amazing how realistic you made it look! 

[cifenet]

Looking good here, I really like the side profile!

The truck is handsome one and properly setup, Steve!

 

 

[Rockford]

I'm always surprised at the change in a truck's appearance when you start dressing the cab. I was thinking this looked a little drab but adding the mirrors (which hold the glass in), the grille and a little BMF transforms the look. 

I foiled the KENWORTH script on the side as a block, then drew a gold Sharpie across it and wiped the letters clean, worked out ok. 

That BMF fought me every step of the way, not sticking, lifting even after I'd cut it, moving when I was burning it... Typical BMF then! 

The stripes are actually from the AMT 1970 Impala. I had to cut them into about 10 pieces but got them looking ok. Then I decided I didn't like them but no matter how much Micro-Set or Micro-Sol I used they wouldn't come off. I'm getting used to them. 

Got to deal with the void under the doghouse where the Cummins should be. I'm not building another Cummins, but I'll think of something. 

[Jürgen M.]

Fantastic! Making a 1/32 Kit Look like a "big one"! Great job! ?

[Gary Chastain]

Very well done, looks fantastic 

[Rockford]

Nearly done. Added the bling to the roof, fitted the grabrails and coloured the marker lights. I tried doing some work on the bumper and destroyed the BMF I'd put on, then tried painting it and made a right pig's ear of it. Then it hit me, why not use real aluminium! Only took about half an hour to knock one up and will just need polishing now. 

[Jürgen M.]

Looking great! ? 

Just one (maybe stupid) question:

What's a BMF? ?

Edited April 21, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[Rockford]

Sorry Jürgen, Bare Metal Foil. The aluminium adhesive foil that represents chrome. You'll see tutorials for it on the forums and on YouTube etc... Brilliant when it goes well but so often puts you through torture. 

[Jürgen M.]

OK, thanks! 

Just have to get used to all the Insider abbreviations!

I can Imagine it being a pain sometimes! That stuff is not easy to handle! But you're right, when it works it looks great! ?

[Rockford]

Last step was to use my home built quarter fenders and paint them using Hycote chrome effect paint. Looks excellent but doesn't like being handled though, tarnishes very suddenly but I'm happy with overall finish. It can go in Under Glass now. 

Edited April 22, 2024 by Rockford
Added pics