Factory Photo Freightliner...

[purepmd]

It has been a minute since I've had something to post. Always starting projects, never finishing old ones. This was supposed to be just a quick build, box stock, no extras. Well, that is not happening, ever. It all started with an online image search that turned up this picture.

I really like the color combination, and had some Testors Mythical Maroon to use for the base, but wasn't sold on the graphics. After some consideration, and dislike of masking, I decided on a decal approximation was in order, with an extra panel above the grille. Some Interdecal orange sheet and Auslowe red pinstripes set things in motion. The headlights were lowered, and the angled part of the cab was correted. The over-sized rivets removed and replaced with Micromark decal HO scale ones. They are a bit too small but still look way better than AMT's carriage bolts on the cab. 

Some CTM photoetch pieces, a one piece aluminum bumper, aluminum wrapped tanks and boxes, topped off by a set of M&S aluminum wheels meant there was no turning back.

Metal exhaust, tinted, flush mounted glass, and a rear mounted air cleaner and inlet round out the exterior highlights. I've seen quite a few pictures online of this vintage of trucks with painted steps and ladders and wanted to try that. 

A scratch built aftercooler, and a resin turbo add a much-needed horsepower boost. Stabilaire rear suspension replaces the Reyco springs out back. While no where near perfect, it provided invaluable knowledge about working with photoetch parts. I'm already adapting them to another started 'shaker cabover. 

Thanks for taking the time to check it out and please feel free to voice all opinions! 

P.S. forgot this pic. You can see the fans you get with the Harold Weber created photoetch frets STS sells on their website. They are excellent. 

 

Edited Monday at 11:01 AM by purepmd
Additional details and grammar correction.

[Jim B]

Beautiful Freightliner. Very well done. 

[Swamp Dog]

Awesome..

[Biggu]

Wow !! That is absolutely awesome …. The paint is beautiful and the pe work is really good.  What a good looking Freightliner, everything ties in beautifully.  I really like this and will have to refer to it when I do mine, super nice !!!

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Beautiful! Excellent work all around! One of the best looking Freightliners that I’ve seen!

[purepmd]

Jim, thank you for the compliment. 

[purepmd]

14 hours ago, Swamp Dog said:

Awesome..

I'm glad you like it! Thank you.

[purepmd]

12 hours ago, Biggu said:

Wow !! That is absolutely awesome …. The paint is beautiful and the pe work is really good.  What a good looking Freightliner, everything ties in beautifully.  I really like this and will have to refer to it when I do mine, super nice !!!

That is very flattering! I appreciate your feedback. 

[purepmd]

3 hours ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said:

Beautiful! Excellent work all around! One of the best looking Freightliners that I’ve seen!

Knowing your level of work, that means a great deal, thank you!

[purepmd]

15 hours ago, Biggu said:

Wow !! That is absolutely awesome …. The paint is beautiful and the pe work is really good.  What a good looking Freightliner, everything ties in beautifully.  I really like this and will have to refer to it when I do mine, super nice !!!

If you have never built one, or even if you have, here is a tip I learned the hard way. AMT set the front axle back about 3mm to far. If you reshape the wheel arch on the leading edge, like in the first pic, and move the front axle forward about 3mm, you get all the clearance you need for the ladder style steps. Makes for a much easier build, and the cab is far more correct appearing. You can see in the second picture how the real cab looks.

[J.B. Customs]

Really like what you done with this build nice detail 👍

[Biggu]

Thanks for that tip Mark. Never really noticed that mod before, makes a major difference. Great stuff !!

[Monty]

'Bout time you started posting again. 😇

I was privileged to see this project take shape and was aware of some of the modifications required to create a more accurate build, so I hope others appreciate all the effort that went into it. 

The front axle placement, headlight lowering and alteration to the cab's overall shape were just a few of the changes that take this build miles out of the average OOB category.  The headlights are an obvious upgrade from the kit units, and the amount of skill required to create the triangular markings out of decal material are beyond the abilities many of us possess.  

Hope you'll find the time to complete more of your projects and post them up for us.

[purepmd]

8 hours ago, J.B. Customs said:

Really like what you done with this build nice detail 👍

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate the kind words!

[Muncie]

This is a cool truck! Well done.    I like how you added things like the Stabilaire rear suspension and the rubber front fender extensions.  Common on the real thing but seldom seen on models.  

And... Thank you for posting.  I'm going to have to use some of this as reference when my White Freightliner hits the workbench.

[purepmd]

22 minutes ago, Monty said:

'Bout time you started posting again. 😇

I was privileged to see this project take shape and was aware of some of the modifications required to create a more accurate build, so I hope others appreciate all the effort that went into it. 

The front axle placement, headlight lowering and alteration to the cab's overall shape were just a few of the changes that take this build miles out of the average OOB category.  The headlights are an obvious upgrade from the kit units, and the amount of skill required to create the triangular markings out of decal material are beyond the abilities many of us possess.  

Hope you'll find the time to complete more of your projects and post them up for us.

Monty, many thanks for responding. I value your input and opinions. Working on a Navy blue one I know you'll like!

[purepmd]

1 minute ago, Muncie said:

This is a cool truck! Well done.    I like how you added things like the Stabilaire rear suspension and the rubber front fender extensions.  Common on the real thing but seldom seen on models.  

And... Thank you for posting.  I'm going to have to use some of this as reference when my White Freightliner hits the workbench.

Thanks for looking and replying, I really enjoy the feedback. 

Glad I could be of service to your upcoming build.

[Mr mopar]

Awesome I love it !

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

Very nicely built and detailed. And those fans...!

[BK9300]

You’ve added exceptional detailing - beautiful workmanship!  You must possess tremendous patience (and skill!) to layout your pinstriping - very well done.