KENWORTH K123 Cabover

[Brutalform]

My first time to post a big rig WIP, but I was getting bored with some of the car projects, so here it goes. I bought this kit at Ollie’s a couple years ago, for super cheap. I’m waiting for a front spring from Round2 to arrive, (this one is molded half way) so it’s now at a stand still on the chassis at least.  This kit is a bear to build. Every chrome part, except for the bumper, mirrors, cab lights, and pull handles, went into the stripper. I planned on keeping the rims chrome, and adding a little panel line accent, and/or flat clear, to tone them down, but around the visible edge, it didn’t look too smooth. So in to the stripper they went. Literally every part needed to be cleaned up, and trimmed to fit properly. I’ve built a few AMT trucks before, but this one is pretty challenging, to say the least. Still not sure on the color, but I was thinking just like the box art. I have the engine completed, and most of the chassis. Tires are weathered also. I don’t want to get ahead of myself with painting, because everything needs to be trail fitted. Can’t wait till the spring arrives. Here are a few pics. Opinions are much welcomed. 

[Gary Chastain]

That’s a great start and yes the quality of AMT truck kits varies a lot, but part of the fun. Will be watching. 

[freightshaker2]

That's a great start! Yea most of the amt kits are a challenge. But with some effort the turn out great. Frame twists are common so it's something to watch for. Good luck cant wait to see it finished

[Brutalform]

Just waiting for the front spring to arrive from Round2. Then I can get the chassis painted, and start weathering it. Plans are to get the wheels painted and assembled next. 

[Gary Chastain]

Nice progress and I hate waiting on parts. Looking good

[cifenet]

Very promising start and love your paint collections on the background.   Nicely organized too!

I see you washed your engine details with black wash, while they do bring out details, I think you could also remove some hard wash lines with cotton swab with enamel thinner to blend the effect (assuming the wash is done w/ enamel). 

I find that these truck kits do assembly quite well mainly if the frame is straight and aligned.  From the photo, I think your frame looks very good!

[Brutalform]

Thanks Gary, and Landon. I appreciate the replies.  

Thanks also Steve, I always enjoy getting suggestions from  my fellow modelers. The wash I used was the Mr Weathering, which I believe is oil based. I also have the Mr Solvent to do what you suggested, and  blend it a bit more in certain spots. When I took the pic it was still kind of wet, as it was just applied. I’m definitely going to do some more to it before it gets lowered in. 

 

[Rockford]

Nice job on the Cummins 855, chassis looks good too. Hope the kit isn't too vague for you, but you'll have experienced AMTs ways of doing things before, it's just a bigger version of "what goes where?"

[MIkeOB]

Nice work.

[Brutalform]

While waiting on the front spring, I started to move onto the cab and interior. Gotta double check, or even triple check everything on this ole AMT kit. Added some rust to the exhaust pipes, that lead to the stacks. 

[Brutalform]

I can finally say all the parts have the flash, and seams removed, are sanded, and are ready for primer and paint. 

[BK9300]

Nice progress Tom - really like the rust treatment on your exhaust system

[Gary Chastain]

Ditto, that exhaust has some of the best weathering I’ve seen, well done. 

[Brutalform]

Thanks Brian and Gary. I thought I kinda over did it, forgetting the “less is better than more” concept. 

[Jürgen M.]

Looks great. I agree, the weathering on the exhaust is perfect!

[Brutalform]

Thank Jurgen. Decided to do a tan and brown interior. Mixed it up with Light Tan, and Wooden Deck Tan. The interior tub is Red Brown. I think it should look good with an orange cab. Added some burnt rust to the exhaust side of the turbo. Touched up the wash a bit too on the engine. 

[Brutalform]

[Gary Chastain]

Oooooo, that looks nice

[Brutalform]

Tested the gray primer and the orange paint on a piece of sprue. The color is exactly what I was looking for. Cab is all primed, and later tonight, it will have some color. 

[Brutalform]

Finally some color. 

[BK9300]

Great shade of orange, Tom - should be a nice contrast to all the mirrors and other chrome parts.

[Brutalform]

Thanks Brian. The bumper, pull handles and mirrors, stacks and wheels are the only chrome. I still might remove the Revell chrom spray from the wheels, and paint those orange as well. All depends on how good I can darken the chrome. Since I never tried it on chrome spray, only kit chrome, it will be an experiment. 

[Gary Chastain]

Dats purdy and shiny, well done on your paint. 

[Jürgen M.]

On 3/26/2025 at 5:35 PM, Brutalform said:

Nice dash! 👍

[Brutalform]

I have the front spring finally, and after I get the cab totally finished, I can start painting, and weathering the frame, and suspension. The passenger side door decal literally fell apart in the water. At least the company name decal is on the door. After the drivers side accessories are dry, then it’s onto the passenger side.