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International Transtar CO 4070A

Wolf
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Wolf MCM Friend

Wolf

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…..and so it begins. To be honest this is the first big rig model I’ve started to build in almost 40 years. I’ve been primarily a WWI and WWII aircraft modeler but I’ve also dabbled with a few Tamiya 1/12th motorcycles.

I’ve wanted the AMT Transtar kit for a while now as one of my sons actually works for an International dealership selling these large trucks. To enhance the build I’ve also purchased a couple of CMT detail items such as replacement taillights and photo-etch set specifically for this model.

I’ve started assembling many of the different subassemblies but none of them have been permanently glued to the frame rails. I’m at the point where painting needs to commence so I can start to move forward. I’m hoping that I can work relatively steadily on this project but today is my first day of chemo treatments so it’ll all depend on what kind of side effects I have to endure. 
 

Wish me luck and any helpful comments or critiques are welcome.

Cheers,     
Wolf

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Jim B MCM Ohana

Jim B

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Posted

Definitely a great start, and good luck with your treatments. Been there, done that. The only thing I can say is that it sucks big time. I was constantly tired, and as soon as I'd start feeling better, they'd hit me with another treatment! It was a long year.

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Biggu MCM Ohana

Biggu

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Posted (edited)

Wolf, I have watched your builds on LSP for years, and with your skills, I know this will be a stunningly spectacular finely detailed accurate build. I am excited to see another BC boy here. Also very excited to follow your build…..

Did the Mossie get finished?

Jeff

Edited by Biggu
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Wolf MCM Friend

Wolf

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On 9/18/2025 at 4:28 PM, Gary Chastain said:

Great start, and wow, good luck with your treatment. 

 

23 hours ago, BK9300 said:

The photo etch upgrade kit is sure going to look nice in this truck - looking forward to watching your progress.

 

22 hours ago, Jim B said:

Definitely a great start, and good luck with your treatments. Been there, done that. The only thing I can say is that it sucks big time. I was constantly tired, and as soon as I'd start feeling better, they'd hit me with another treatment! It was a long year.

Gary, Brian, Jim,   

Thanks for looking in and for the kind comments regarding the build and my chemo treatments. I’ll get through the build and the treatments one day at a time. Especially the treatments as if I have a choice, right? We do what we have to and take it as it comes.

Cheers,    
Wolf

Wolf MCM Friend

Wolf

Posted
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21 hours ago, Biggu said:

Wolf, I have watched your builds on LSP for years, and with your skills, I know this will be a stunningly spectacular finely detailed accurate build. I am excited to see another BC boy here. Also very excited to follow your build…..

Did the Mossie get finished?

Jeff

Hi Jeff, great to make contact again. It’s been a while since I’ve visited LSP. Health issues and a lack of motivation for building things with wings have kept me away. I’ll try and do the Transtar justice but it likely won’t evolve into an intense build like I’ve done in the past. I just look forward to building something different but I will add details along the way to enhance detail where I feel it’s needed.     
No, the Mossie didn’t get finished. That’s a project I keep looking at but there’s so many builds to get distracted by so it’s on the back burner for now.

21 hours ago, Engine 51 said:

All the very best…with the build, but especially the treatments. Gos bless. 

Joe, thanks for the best wishes for the build and treatments. I’ll get ‘em both done and God has already truly blessed me in so many ways.

12 hours ago, Rockford said:

Excellent job so far. Sorry to hear about your treatment, hope it does the trick without too much hardship. 

Steve, thanks for the compliment. The ultimate goal is to have the treatments do exactly what they’re supposed to. I’m hoping the side effects will be minimal but I’ll take then as they come. I may not like ‘em but that’s life, eh?   
 

10 hours ago, Jürgen M. said:

Heads up and cheers to a great build! I'll be following!

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Wolf MCM Friend

Wolf

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Thank- you Jurgen. My head is held high. It needs to be, right? I hope you’ll like the build as it progresses.

 Cheers,    
Wolf

 

 

 

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Biggu MCM Ohana

Biggu

Posted
Posted

Wolf, it may be a long winter and a nice slow build might be just the exact thing to keep you going. I hope they get those treatments in hand and you will be fully successful. I’m looking forward to your updates as you feel up to. I know you will knock this out of the park.  Tale good care my friend and we will be chatting. 
Jeff

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Jürgen M. MCM Ohana

Jürgen M.

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Posted
4 hours ago, Wolf said:

Thank- you Jurgen. My head is held high. It needs to be, right? I hope you’ll like the build as it progresses.

 Cheers,    
Wolf

 

 

 

I know you'll get it over with in no time. 

Be patient and look forward!

I'll enjoy your build, looks really promising. Front row! 👍

  • Like 3
Wolf MCM Friend

Wolf

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The Detroit Diesel is more or less done. I was hoping to add plumbing detail but wasn’t able to find any clear photos online that could guide me. If someone here has information that I could use it would be greatly appreciated. I can still add stuff before the engine is permanently installed within the frame rails. I modified the fan belt and alternator belts as the had an odd configuration that I’m guessing is supposed to represent dual belts. Hopefully the accompanying photo will clarify what I did. I’m happy with the result. I replaced the alternator adjustment bracket as the kit moulding was far too heavy. Along with that I added a bunch of fasteners to enhance detail for the alternator mounting. I punched out a small styrene disc to represent the alternator pulley face and gave it a washer/nut and stud. The radiator fan blades were thinned to give them a more scale appearance. The engine was painted with Tamiya’s Italian Red mixed with Tamiya’s Maroon to give me a somewhat darker red. It was given a thin wash and then painted with a coat of semi-gloss clear to blend everything in. I’ve been working on the exhaust manifolds which have some pretty aggressive mould seams so lots of filing, sanding, and scribing is necessary.

 

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Biggu MCM Ohana

Biggu

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Lookin good Wolf.  The beginnings of another master build, your attention to the details hasn’t changed. I’m looking forward to your updates, mate. This is going to be good.  
 

Jeff

Wolf MCM Friend

Wolf

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16 hours ago, Biggu said:

Lookin good Wolf.  The beginnings of another master build, your attention to the details hasn’t changed. I’m looking forward to your updates, mate. This is going to be good.  
 

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I’m a little out of my element with this build as I have very limited knowledge of this kind of truck. I’ll use what I can find in photos to add detail the most obvious (to me anyways) parts. It’s refreshing to work on something new.

14 hours ago, Jürgen M. said:

That's a nice looking engine! Ver tidy work! Can't wait to see the whole rig put together! 

Thank-you Juergen. I’m afraid you may have something of a wait to see it all come together. Great patience will be necessary, LOL!

 

4 hours ago, iamsuperdan said:

Nice work so far! 

This is a great kit. I wish all of AMT's truck kits could be as good as this one.

 

 

Hello Dan, thanks for commenting. This certainly looks to be a nice kit but I admit to being rather spoiled. I’ve been building Tamiya kits for many years so this one requires a bit more work. That’s okay though. I’m still havin’ fun!

 

4 hours ago, Gary Chastain said:

Lookin good

Thanks Gary. I’m trying……

  • Like 1
Wolf MCM Friend

Wolf

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2 hours ago, Rockford said:

Nice job on the engine and transmission. I can almost hear it screaming through the gears. 

Thank-you Steve. It needs a few more things before any screaming can start, LOL!

 

2 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Your engine/transmission buildup looks really good.  Along the way, I've saved a few links, to maybe aid in future model detailing.   This one may have detail that would be useful to you -

https://www.summitcoresupply.com/for-sale/detroit-8v71-mechanical-diesel-engine-13136104

 

Brian, thank-you for the photo link. Much appreciated. Lots of interesting details. I won’t be adding much more to the engine but there are definitely some details I can enhance on the kit engine based on those photos.

Wolf MCM Friend

Wolf

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It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks to the link Brian sent I was able to figure out what some of the moulded detail on the kit engine are. The rubber couplings and clamps for the water pipes were quite evident so I went and added them as best I could. The rubber couplings were painted Tamiya’s Rubber Black and the clamps are very thin strips of foil. I’m waiting for some fittings that will allow me to add a bit of plumbing to the engine but until they arrive I’ll work on other parts of the build.

Cheers,    
Wolf

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Edited by Wolf
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