cifenet Posted March 2, 2024 Posted March 2, 2024 (edited) Hi all, I wasn't supposed to build this kit, but as luck would have it, I ended up spending a good week to finish this one. I made NO attempts to "enhance" nor "add" details to the kit and it allowed me to complete it rather quickly. I saw this one being offered for sale online quite cheap and decided to buy it as a practice kit to hone my skill. The kit had all kinds of problems though, the seller mentioned that it went through some water damage having molds on parts. ? The box art looks good and the box itself survived the water damage, but that is where the good things end. The decals were damaged quite bad and I tried using Microscale decal fluid to revive them, but they just crumpled into pieces. Only license decals were used. I simply cut license plates and glue them with backing paper still intact. And the instructions had funny smell too. I allowed sun to bake it for an entire day thinking would kill any toxic molds. I am not sure if it helped or not, but I felt safe touching the instructions. And I found the front windshield cracked in the middle, so I made a replacement with a thin plastic sheet. I then washed the entire parts in soapy water and allowed them to dry in sun as well. The worst part was that many parts were warped quite bad, I wasn't sure if I could actually finish building it! At the end though, I actually enjoyed building the kit. Just like AMT truck kits, I think Italeri truck kits have their own charm for sure. The build wasn't easy for me, there were many areas where I was so frustrated, I thought about trashing it. What I liked: the subject of a European truck is cool to me especially this one coming from 80s and 90s era. a good amount of details straight out of box. I was able to complete the multi-piece cab assembly prior to painting (by inserting the cabin interior into the cab through the bottom opening). I bought it cheap. What I did not liked: molds in this kit due to water damage! warped/broken parts. Is this because Italeri pack trees tightly into the box? crude construction/assembly methods used on various areas. vague attachment points for exhaust piping, aero parts, and various frame components. I think I wrote too much, here are photos of the the final build: Edited March 2, 2024 by cifenet 5
Rockford Posted March 9, 2024 Posted March 9, 2024 You didn't write too much at all, great account of the build, would have been an interesting WIP. You've done a great job on the model, looks really sharp. I think I've only ever built one Italeri kit and that was decades ago but I recall not liking it the experience, I think it was the Western Star kit. 1
Jürgen M. Posted March 20, 2024 Posted March 20, 2024 Nice strudel-machine! Looks immaculate especially concerning the damage the moisture had done! Wouldn't have noticed If you hadn't said anything! I think the new Italeri kits aren't that bad. The old ones were a real pain in the ...! The plastic tires that had to be put together were just a no-go! I built a few of them but came back to the Revell and Amt kits soon. 1
Edward Gore Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 Very nice finish. The front glass looks flawless with the replacement clear part. Your painting skills are off the hook! 1
Noah H. Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 That's a great looking build. Really sharp looking engine. 1
stavanzer Posted March 24, 2024 Posted March 24, 2024 Great Build. Just the right amount of written content. Your Paint job is Flawless! Good Show. 1
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