Six Pack Posted October 25 Posted October 25 Sweet. IRL it'l ride rough with suspenion , it'll be cool on the book shelf though (I have two 1/25 weapons with that suspension ). Remember the KW torsion bar suspension , they weren't very nice riding also 1
Rockford Posted October 26 Author Posted October 26 The KW torsion bar was a clever design. Not many left. 1
Rockford Posted October 26 Author Posted October 26 The clock went back last night and I'mu all out of sorts today and we're being battered by another Atlantic low but I still did a bit at the bench. Built a pogo stick and a catwalk. Looks ok. Thought I'd take a few shots of it with a nice reefer to check if the stance is right. 4
BK9300 Posted October 26 Posted October 26 The Special is looking pretty good, in front of that reefer! 1 1
Gary Chastain Posted October 27 Posted October 27 It’s definitely got the right stance and attitude, fun to watch you build. 1
Jürgen M. Posted October 27 Posted October 27 This will be another very 'special' build Steve! Looks really amazing! 1
Rockford Posted October 29 Author Posted October 29 I was trawling the interwebs for inspiration the other night and came across a batch of long frames... I find these fascinating, they're something that could only exist in America, a real unique configuration. This is a setup I've never seen before, the reefer fuel tank is on the trailer bulkhead. They did have conventionals too but the seem really rare. I like the spare wheel mounted upright on the chassis. This K100 has one too. This sums it up really doesn't it? The truck is much longer than the trailer! So this is perfectly credible. I apologise for my digression. 7
Biggu Posted October 31 Posted October 31 Very cool old school pics, Steve. This is a very interesting thread. And you’re doing a fabulous job on this. 1
Pete68 Posted November 6 Posted November 6 On 10/29/2025 at 2:56 AM, Rockford said: the reefer fuel tank is on the trailer bulkhead Steve a lot of early reefer sea containers had this set up mostly the 20’ ones. I’ve always liked this pic I had some decals made years ago for this rig. Some where on here I started to build this truck but I made it a Pacemaker 352 instead of the one in the pic. Hope you get some inspiration you posted some good pics 1 1
Rockford Posted November 6 Author Posted November 6 5 hours ago, Pete68 said: Steve a lot of early reefer sea containers had this set up mostly the 20’ ones. I’ve always liked this pic I had some decals made years ago for this rig. Some where on here I started to build this truck but I made it a Pacemaker 352 instead of the one in the pic. Hope you get some inspiration you posted some good pics I know what you mean, see quite a few in Liverpool at the docks with the reefer unit all contained within the frame at the front. I like your profile icon mate, I've read the brochure that comes from quite a few times. I love the wording of the old brochures. 2
Pete68 Posted November 6 Posted November 6 (edited) 9 hours ago, Rockford said: I like your profile icon mate, I Thanks Steve. I remember in the fall of 1976 getting a couple Chevy Bison brochures ( I still have them ) from the dealership my dad always bought his tractor trailer and trucks from They’re probably one of my top three favorite trucks. Hopefully I’ll get the building one soon. Edited November 6 by Pete68 1
Rockford Posted November 6 Author Posted November 6 5 hours ago, Pete68 said: Thanks Steve. I remember in the fall of 1976 getting a couple Chevy Bison brochures ( I still have them ) from the dealership my dad always bought his tractor trailer and trucks from They’re probably one of my top three favorite trucks. Hopefully I’ll get the building one soon. I used to write to the factories from the addresses listed in my Observers Book of Commercial Vehicles. They were usually very gracious. Kenworth and International Harvester were kind. 4
Pete68 Posted November 8 Posted November 8 On 11/6/2025 at 4:14 PM, Rockford said: I used to write to the factories from the addresses Yes that was so cool when they would send you them for free. My brother Bill did that a lot and still has the today. 1
The Brush Posted November 8 Posted November 8 Coming along nice, I like your detailing in these small scales. 1
Rockford Posted Sunday at 07:14 PM Author Posted Sunday at 07:14 PM It's been a busy few weeks working on the house so I've not got to the bench. In fact, I couldn't because I had all sorts piled up against it. Anyway, did my usual filling in of the diffs and made brake chambers for the rear tandems. Then in a moment of madness, I suddenly decided that I wanted to recess the exhaust and intake stacks into the back of the cab. Why? I don't really know. I took some 90° angle and made box sections to go up the back of the cab. I glued them into place, then scored the outer wall using callipers, well inboard of the box section and then used that to carefully cut through with my saw. Just need to trim and finish it off. I'm not building a replica of the truck in Movin' On but seeing the recessed stacks on that truck just gave me the urge. I know I should have done this before I smoothed and filled the roof. Ah well we live and (don't) learn. 4
BK9300 Posted Sunday at 07:27 PM Posted Sunday at 07:27 PM That’s going to look really cool - any chance you have some styrene tubing, quarter cut, you could slide up into the openings to minimize any trimming? 2 1
Rockford Posted Sunday at 08:17 PM Author Posted Sunday at 08:17 PM 48 minutes ago, BK9300 said: That’s going to look really cool - any chance you have some styrene tubing, quarter cut, you could slide up into the openings to minimize any trimming? Good idea! Too late really, if I did that they'd be too shallow. I do intend to put a quarter length of 5mm tube in the corner to round it off. 2
Jürgen M. Posted Monday at 06:01 AM Posted Monday at 06:01 AM This is getting better and better! Great idea with the stacks! 2
Biggu Posted Monday at 03:30 PM Posted Monday at 03:30 PM The level of detail and build quality just gets better at every move, Steve. I have to keep reminding myself this is 1/32 ! I look forward to every update. 1 1
Rockford Posted Monday at 09:38 PM Author Posted Monday at 09:38 PM Managed some bench time in between working on the house. Quartered a length of tube and feathered the edges, then put it in the corner to round it off. Added a little fillet to continue the roof cap and shaped the bottom edge. Will need a bit of filler but should be ok. 6
Rockford Posted yesterday at 08:47 AM Author Posted yesterday at 08:47 AM Gave the alcoves on the cab a skim of putty and rubbed it all down. Too cold and damp to paint it though 95% humidity yesterday. Fortunate that I chose to go this way with the stacks as, after I finished the filling I knocked the chassis off the bench and snapped the ladder frame I'd mounted previously. I was quite relaxed about the whole thing. Did my usual filling in the diffs and added brake chambers which I piped with elastic thread. Just the right size and nicely flexible. Scratch built a relay valve and glued it to the KH rail, I'll pipe it up later. 3
Rockford Posted yesterday at 05:08 PM Author Posted yesterday at 05:08 PM SQUIRREL! Look what I got for £1 off eBay! It's tatty and needs a good bath but I'll be cutting it to pieces anyway. All I need is there. 1
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