Revell Peterbilt 359 Conventional

[Brenton]

So, I’m not a big rig builder.  My first attempt was the Revell skill level 5 Peterbilt 359. Needless to say, that kit is really challenging. I’m still working on it, so in the meantime I decided to try something simpler like the 359 conventional. I wanted to try this kit based on some of the finished models I’ve seen on here. Below are some pics of the kit that I have mocked up. So far the kit is going together really well and everything is straight and parts are crisp and clean. 
I’ve glued the frame, axles, shocks, etc. all together to get ready for paint and primer. Feel free to give feedback and suggestions at any time. I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions about these trucks and look forward to learning a few things. 

[Brenton]

So here’s an update. I’ve been able to paint the frame a flat black. I plan to weather it a little just to show the wear of everyday driving and the elements, and to bring out some fine detail. Tire tread has been sanded and I also painted the cab and nose with primer to get it ready for Testors Extreme Lacquer in a maroon color. 

[Gary Chastain]

Great start

[Brenton]

1 hour ago, Gary Chastain said:

Great start

Thanks! It’s actually been very enjoyable working on a kit that isn’t fighting me the whole time. 

[BK9300]

I agree with Gary, and your primer laid down very smooth on the body.  Should look great in maroon.

[Brenton]

I just finished spraying the body and putting on a clear. I used Testors Extreme Lacquer in Mythical Maroon and Testors Wet Clear. I don’t have an airbrush so all of it was done from the spray can. I really like these lacquer paints because they dry really fast and go on very smooth. 

Should I spray a dull coat on the rims or leave them alone? I’ve never done alclad chrome and I’m not sure how it works, so suggestions and opinions are appreciated!

Edited April 20 by Brenton

[David G.]

It looks like you have a great start on it!

those tires can be a son-of-a-gun.

David G.

[Brenton]

1 hour ago, David G. said:

It looks like you have a great start on it!

those tires can be a son-of-a-gun.

David G.

Yes they can. I have a few that are warped so I’m hoping I can adjust them. Something interesting I did was compare these tires to the ones in the AMT California Hauler kit. The California Hauler tires are significantly smaller which I saw was an issue with another build on here. I was thinking of using those, but I don’t want the tires to be smaller. 

[Brenton]

Here’s a couple of reference pics of the California Hauler kit and the Peterbilt Coventional tires.  Interesting the difference in tire size. I wonder if the California Hauler, being an older model truck year, actually had smaller tires on those rigs.

 

Edited April 21 by Brenton

[David G.]

7 hours ago, Brenton said:

Here’s a couple of reference pics of the California Hauler kit and the Peterbilt Coventional tires.  Interesting the difference in tire size. I wonder if the California Hauler, being an older model truck year, actually had smaller tires on those rigs.

 

 

Wow!

😮 

That almost looks like a different scale!

I found that cutting the webbing where the worst of the warp is helped noticeably. 

 

Hope this helps.

David G.

[Brenton]

57 minutes ago, David G. said:

 

Wow!

😮 

That almost looks like a different scale!

I found that cutting the webbing where the worst of the warp is helped noticeably. 

 

Hope this helps.

David G.

I saw that in your post. I’ll definitely try that and let you know how it goes. Moving on now to the interior where I have no idea what I want!

[Brenton]

Here’s what I have so far. 

[BK9300]

Looks good, Brenton - the other chrome parts you have yet to add will definitely add some bling!

[Brenton]

57 minutes ago, BK9300 said:

Looks good, Brenton - the other chrome parts you have yet to add will definitely add some bling!

Yes it will. Haven’t decided if I should rechrome, dull coat, or leave it as is. I’m just not sure which will look best. What do y’all think?

[Gary Chastain]

Gonna be a good looking build 

[Brenton]

3 hours ago, Gary Chastain said:

Gonna be a good looking build 

Thank you ! I truly hope so!

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey Brenton

 Your rig is looking real nice, like the maroon color. On the rims & tanks you can add a lite coat of dull coat to tone down the bright chrome. I use a semi gloss clear acrylic (Tamiya), not sure if you can get it in a spray can?🤔.

 On the tires the AMT tires (newer ones) are a 10:00-20 or 11:00-20 tire, there an older style. The Revell ones are probably 12:00R-22.5's so yeah they are bigger. Any other questions feel free to ask, this forum is good for that.

Ron G 

[Brenton]

11 hours ago, ShakyCraftsman said:

Hey Brenton

 Your rig is looking real nice, like the maroon color. On the rims & tanks you can add a lite coat of dull coat to tone down the bright chrome. I use a semi gloss clear acrylic (Tamiya), not sure if you can get it in a spray can?🤔.

 On the tires the AMT tires (newer ones) are a 10:00-20 or 11:00-20 tire, there an older style. The Revell ones are probably 12:00R-22.5's so yeah they are bigger. Any other questions feel free to ask, this forum is good for that.

Ron G 

Sounds good! I’ll try that and see how it comes out. 

[David G.]

That's some good looking paint Brenton.

David G.

[Brenton]

On 4/23/2025 at 8:43 AM, David G. said:

That's some good looking paint Brenton.

David G.

Thank you so much. It’s always the hardest part of builds for me. I plan on getting an airbrush setup very soon so that I can take my skills further. 

[Brenton]

So I have question about the engine. According to the box info, the engine is a 6 cylinder turbocharged Caterpillar. I’m just not sure which specific engine Revell used in this kit. Does anyone know??? I want to look up reference pics. 

[ShakyCraftsman]

1 minute ago, Brenton said:

Thank you so much. It’s always the hardest part of builds for me. I plan on getting an airbrush setup very soon so that I can take my skills further. 

Hey Brenton 

 Make sure what ever you do.  DON'T CHEAP OUT on an air brush! You will just get frustrated with the cheap one and end up getting a good one anyway. You don't have to get a Harder-Stenbeck at $300.00 bucks. There are some nice Chinese ones that come with 3 different needles & seats, wrench, 3 different cups,etc. Yeah I know I said no cheap ones, but these are good and have great reviews. I have two of them (one was my sons😪 rest in peace) and one is mine. My sons actually came with a battery operated compressor, hand held!

  I have two H&S airbrushes and they are great, but EXPENSIVE! the cheap Chinese one sprays just as nice as the H&S one and it was only $40.00 bucks on Amazon! My only criticism with it is it has very tiny needles, like a Iawata, and can easily get lost to the dreaded carpet monster! If you have any questions on airbrush equipment feel free to ask away.

Ron G 

[ShakyCraftsman]

16 minutes ago, Brenton said:

So I have question about the engine. According to the box info, the engine is a 6 cylinder turbocharged Caterpillar. I’m just not sure which specific engine Revell used in this kit. Does anyone know??? I want to look up reference pics. 

Hey Brenton 

  The engine in those Revell kits is a Caterpillar 3406A. That was an early engine with the fuel pump to the rear. But most trucks with Cats had the 3406b with the fuel pump up close to the front cover. Here are some pictures of my engines that I have done.

This is a 3406A. You can see the fuel pump is to the rear of the air compressor just under the top filter. This is the engine in my 1/24 Kenworth W900 heavy haul tractor.

This view is of the other side of the engine. It's not done, still in the works.😁

This View shows the turbo side of the 3406b this side is pretty much the same between the two.

This view shows the scratch built (stole it from a D8H Cat dozer kit) fuel pump, filter, nose cone (yellow) and I moved the air compressor up so everything fits together. This one is in the works also. It's not dead on accurate, but it's pretty damn close, and under a coat of paint it will look the part.

Ron G 

Edited Thursday at 11:37 PM by ShakyCraftsman

[Brenton]

21 minutes ago, ShakyCraftsman said:

Hey Brenton 

  The engine in those Revell kits is a Caterpillar 3406A. That was an early engine with the fuel pump to the rear. But most trucks with Cats had the 3406b with the fuel pump up close to the front cover. Here are some pictures of my engines that I have done.

This is a 3406A. You can see the fuel pump is to the rear of the air compressor just under the top filter. This is the engine in my 1/24 Kenworth W900 heavy haul tractor.

This view is of the other side of the engine. It's not done, still in the works.😁

This View shows the turbo side of the 3406b this side is pretty much the same between the two.

This view shows the scratch built (stole it from a D8H Cat dozer kit) fuel pump, filter, nose cone (yellow) and I moved the air compressor up so everything fits together. This one is in the works also. It's not dead on accurate, but it's pretty damn close, and under a coat of paint it will look the part.

Ron G 

Wow!!! The engine you’re working on looks great!  Thank you so much for the info and the pics!! This is exactly what I was looking for!

Edited Thursday at 11:43 PM by Brenton

[Brenton]

48 minutes ago, ShakyCraftsman said:

Hey Brenton 

 Make sure what ever you do.  DON'T CHEAP OUT on an air brush! You will just get frustrated with the cheap one and end up getting a good one anyway. You don't have to get a Harder-Stenbeck at $300.00 bucks. There are some nice Chinese ones that come with 3 different needles & seats, wrench, 3 different cups,etc. Yeah I know I said no cheap ones, but these are good and have great reviews. I have two of them (one was my sons😪 rest in peace) and one is mine. My sons actually came with a battery operated compressor, hand held!

  I have two H&S airbrushes and they are great, but EXPENSIVE! the cheap Chinese one sprays just as nice as the H&S one and it was only $40.00 bucks on Amazon! My only criticism with it is it has very tiny needles, like a Iawata, and can easily get lost to the dreaded carpet monster! If you have any questions on airbrush equipment feel free to ask away.

Ron G 

That’s great advice!  I’ll save this post because I wasn’t really sure where to start on airbrushes. I’ve put models together my whole life and never invested in one. I’ve just been motivated by all the amazing modelers on here and so I want to learn more and take my models to the next level. My goal is to eventually get a model to a show and maybe actually place in a contest.