Mid 60s Peterbilt Unilite COE

[RoninUtah]

Right, AMT liked to throw this engine, or variants thereof, into all kinds of different kits. I've probably put together 100 of them over the years, and I suspect you have too!

[leafsprings]

An oddity on trailer box art circa mid 70's, the 352 appears to be a hybrid, older headlight system with the newer larger step. Not sure if the larger bumper was available on the older cabs.

[RoninUtah]

Or maybe it's just badly drawn.

[RoninUtah]

First coat of primer... so, far so good. Jürgen was kind enough to design the headlight surrounds for me, and I had a chance to print them before my printer went kaput again. They extend out a little further than I like, but I can't realistically print them any thinner. The cab will take a little more filling and smoothing- I'll build up the surface around the headlights a little to blend them in better. Then, adding the luggage doors, flap at the front under the emblem, and a 3-D printed louver (also designed by Jürgen, thanks a million!)... once I can figure out how to print that tiny piece. Rivets are on order.

It's getting closer!

[Gary Chastain]

Nice progress

[Jürgen M.]

Looks good Ron!

I could change the headlight surrounds a bit so they don't extend so far.

Just tell me!

Keep going with the great work!

 

[RoninUtah]

The cab accessories are attached, and it's starting to look like an old Pete!

Jürgen, not to worry!  I ground the headlight surrounds down and they're about where I want them now. Same with the louver, it turned out perfect, thanks a million!

My rivets are supposed to be here Friday, once the go on it will be ready for primer again.

Time to focus on the interior now.

 

[Biggu]

That back date is coming along famously. Talk a out raising the Bar ! Love what you’re doing with this Ron , looking forward to the next update….. keep on truckin 

Jeff

[Gary Chastain]

What a cool build

[Biggu]

1 hour ago, Gary Chastain said:

What a cool build

It sure is.  Like you, Gary, I’m watching to see what Ron does next …. Small changes really make a difference. Love this

Jeff

[Old Buckaroo]

Great job on the backdating , there is nothing you cant accomplish with a razor saw and some styrene sheet with these kits..

[RoninUtah]

The dashboard is roughed in- it will take some putty and sanding before I can add more detail 

This is my reference, from an old Peterbilt brochure, courtesy of Tim Ahlborn:

I hope to get kinda close…

[Biggu]

Lookin good Ron….. makes mine look a bit plain ….   Your surgery looks good. Great research on the dash. Too bad we don’t have a scale  tach-o-graph they are cool …. I recall they used to be called a ‘stool pigeon’ …. Are you going to fashion a couple? 

[RoninUtah]

35 minutes ago, Biggu said:

Too bad we don’t have a scale  tach-o-graph they are cool …. I recall they used to be called a ‘stool pigeon’ …. Are you going to fashion a couple? 

I’d heard of them being called “tattle tales,” too. Nothing like today’s ELDs! Anyway, Jürgen and I are working on a scale version… stay tuned!

[Rockford]

Looks great. Good work. I love the brochure describing it as a "rich mahogany grained inlaid instrument panel" sounds like something from Lincoln Continental brochure. At least you could get to things and fix them. 

[Jürgen M.]

This is going to be cool! ?

[DRIPTROIT 71]

19 hours ago, Biggu said:

Lookin good Ron….. makes mine look a bit plain ….   Your surgery looks good. Great research on the dash. Too bad we don’t have a scale  tach-o-graph they are cool …. I recall they used to be called a ‘stool pigeon’ …. Are you going to fashion a couple? 

 

18 hours ago, RoninUtah said:

I’d heard of them being called “tattle tales,” too. Nothing like today’s ELDs! Anyway, Jürgen and I are working on a scale version… stay tuned!

I have just cut them out of the Ertl IH 4200 or the 4300 kit.

Edited November 7, 2024 by DRIPTROIT 71

[Biggu]

That looks really good Brian !

[Jürgen M.]

Awesome! What a beautiful cockpit! That's something I still have to work on!

The tach-o-graphs will be designed this weekend! Hope they come out worthy!

Edited November 8, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[RoninUtah]

Rivets!

My first time working with Archer rivets, it’s a little painstaking but not too bad. I got the 0.11 ones but they might be a little small. We’ll see when I shoot another coat of primer!

[Biggu]

Lookin GOOD Ron !!!!

[Gary Chastain]

Well done

[RoninUtah]

It looks like Jeff and I are neck and neck here, but I think he’s pulling ahead… He’s got me way beat in the detailing department, that’s for sure!

Anyway, here is the interior tub for this one. I grafted the kit instrument cluster to a scratch built dashboard, and added 3D printed  tach-o-graphs!  A million thanks to Jürgen, who designed them… take a bow, buddy, they’re perfect!

I fashioned a pad for the top part of the doghouse out of thick sheet styrene, shaped to fit and match. The paint is Testors flat brown- I love that stuff. It has just the right color and sheen for vinyl, and sloppy brushwork doesn’t hurt the effect. Looks like a bunch of naugas gave up their hides for this one! Actually, my dad had a Fingerhut jacket back in the 70s, same color and texture. It was the most plastic looking jacket I’ve ever seen!

The steering wheel and  column are drying now, they’ll go on tonight. The cab is ready for the first coat of paint, as well. It’s starting to slowly come together!

Edited November 9, 2024 by RoninUtah

[Biggu]

So , Ron are you telling us that there are a herd of ‘Nauga’s’ running around in the forest nekked???? ????

I agree we are neck and neck so to speak but….. you , my friend are WAY ahead of me, buddy. I’m just glueing stuff to plastic , where as you are doing major surgery and working with JM designing and  making your own parts, far exceeds what I’m doing. I’ glad the Nauga’s donated their hides to the look of your cab. Looks just right and yea that color is it for sure. Your surgery and tach-o- graphs are spot on and look Really COOL!  Your back dating skills are masterful. Love the update …. Can’t wait to see what’s next. 
Keep going, this is good stuff !

Jeff

[Jürgen M.]

I agree with Jeff! That is looking so good! 

Glad the tach-o-graphs came out well. Designing such small parts is a bit odd since you can't put much detail in them even though they look huge on your screen. You tend to forget what size they will be!

Anyway, this build is gonna be Wow!