Needed.....Freightliner FLC reference photos

[phantomfan]

Greetings fellow truck modelers,

First, let me say thanks for all the replies and posts....you're knowledge on the various truck subject matter is overwhelming. I am new to truck modeling, but not model building in general....having built highly detailed/accurate aircraft models for many years. Recently though I've been wanting to build a highly detailed and accurate truck model, so, with the guidance of Tim A. (thanks Tim!), I recently purchased the Italeri Freightliner FLC which I want to "superdetail" it inside and out, but need some help:

First, for those who know the Freighliner, built the kit etc...., what do you all recommend I replace on the kit in order to make it more realistic, such as wheels etc... (I do a pretty good job at scratchbuilding given I have the proper reference materials)

Secondly, does anyone have access to a Freightliner FLC or has some reference pics that they could post for me to use as a reference? I guess I'm mainly interested in the engine, chasis wiring, plumbing etc..., fifth wheel etc.... as I mentioned, I'm not that familiar with the subject and merely getting started.

Thanks for any help that you can provide. I will be sure to post pics of the build as it develops.

Jeff (phantomfan)

[clayton]

Freightliner! You got me as well.I would say start with Hank site My linkgreat photos for idea's. Other than that no idea.

[phantomfan]

Freightliner! You got me as well.I would say start with Hank site My linkgreat photos for idea's. Other than that no idea.

Thanks Clayton, I've been on hanks site many time, great site, but didn't see any detail shots......My have to drive around my area with a camera and hopefully find one and a willing truck driver nice enough to let me take some pics of his rig!

Jeff

[Old Albion]

Jeff,

Check www.truckpaper.com there are one or two FLC freightshakers for sale with some usefull photo's

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=2484499

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=1984211

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=2490033

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=1735153

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=2339181

Hope this helps.

Dave

[highway]

Greetings fellow truck modelers,

First, let me say thanks for all the replies and posts....you're knowledge on the various truck subject matter is overwhelming. I am new to truck modeling, but not model building in general....having built highly detailed/accurate aircraft models for many years. Recently though I've been wanting to build a highly detailed and accurate truck model, so, with the guidance of Tim A. (thanks Tim!), I recently purchased the Italeri Freightliner FLC which I want to "superdetail" it inside and out, but need some help:

First, for those who know the Freighliner, built the kit etc...., what do you all recommend I replace on the kit in order to make it more realistic, such as wheels etc... (I do a pretty good job at scratchbuilding given I have the proper reference materials)

Secondly, does anyone have access to a Freightliner FLC or has some reference pics that they could post for me to use as a reference? I guess I'm mainly interested in the engine, chasis wiring, plumbing etc..., fifth wheel etc.... as I mentioned, I'm not that familiar with the subject and merely getting started.

Thanks for any help that you can provide. I will be sure to post pics of the build as it develops.

Jeff (phantomfan)

Jeff, welcome to the wonderful world of scale trucking.

First, I built one of these years ago, and it was the first Italeri kit I ever built, and I've been hooked ever since. Italeri makes great kits, and since this is your first, the hardest thing is getting the multipiece cabs just right. I usually use the floor of the cab as a jig to keep the cab square as the glue dries, just make sure there is no glue that will get on the floor and glue it in too. As for replacing anything to make it more realistic, there really is nothing to worry about. The only part that even comes remotely close is the fifth wheel, because it is more a European style than most you see here in the states, but even that is not a major issue that demands replacing. The kit builds into a fine truck just as is.

Secondly, and please don't take me the wrong way, but if you have a truck dealer near you, you can get most of the detail pics you need there. The reason I say this is because most of the details you listed are pretty much the same between all trucks, some pieces may be in different locations like air tanks, but all the lines usually run to common points like the brakes or air bags on the suspension. The same goes for the rest of the chassis wiring, the wiring for things like the lights might change some from truck to truck, but they all run to the same common points. The engine is about the only thing you might not find going to a truck dealer, but I found this site to be very helpful.

http://www.jobbersinc.com/index.htm

All you need to do is click on the engine manufacture and scroll through the pics until you find the engine you need. Most of them have nice detail pics of all sides of the engine. I know in the kit the engine is a Cummins, but not sure exactly which model. I hope this helps you out, and I look forward to seeing your project. Any questions, don't be afraid to ask, I've found many of us here are also drivers, so we can help.

[phantomfan]

thanks Dave for the info, I'll check it out.

Jeff

Jeff,

Check www.truckpaper.com there are one or two FLC freightshakers for sale with some usefull photo's

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=2484499

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=1984211

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=2490033

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=1735153

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=2339181

Hope this helps.

Dave

[phantomfan]

Thanks for the great info and insight into the build. I was planning on going to a dealer and asking to take some pics.

I'll post some pics as I progress through the build.

Jeff

Jeff, welcome to the wonderful world of scale trucking.

First, I built one of these years ago, and it was the first Italeri kit I ever built, and I've been hooked ever since. Italeri makes great kits, and since this is your first, the hardest thing is getting the multipiece cabs just right. I usually use the floor of the cab as a jig to keep the cab square as the glue dries, just make sure there is no glue that will get on the floor and glue it in too. As for replacing anything to make it more realistic, there really is nothing to worry about. The only part that even comes remotely close is the fifth wheel, because it is more a European style than most you see here in the states, but even that is not a major issue that demands replacing. The kit builds into a fine truck just as is.

Secondly, and please don't take me the wrong way, but if you have a truck dealer near you, you can get most of the detail pics you need there. The reason I say this is because most of the details you listed are pretty much the same between all trucks, some pieces may be in different locations like air tanks, but all the lines usually run to common points like the brakes or air bags on the suspension. The same goes for the rest of the chassis wiring, the wiring for things like the lights might change some from truck to truck, but they all run to the same common points. The engine is about the only thing you might not find going to a truck dealer, but I found this site to be very helpful.

http://www.jobbersinc.com/index.htm

All you need to do is click on the engine manufacture and scroll through the pics until you find the engine you need. Most of them have nice detail pics of all sides of the engine. I know in the kit the engine is a Cummins, but not sure exactly which model. I hope this helps you out, and I look forward to seeing your project. Any questions, don't be afraid to ask, I've found many of us here are also drivers, so we can help.

[highway]

Thanks for the great info and insight into the build. I was planning on going to a dealer and asking to take some pics.

I'll post some pics as I progress through the build.

Jeff

You're quite welcome, Jeff.

[Ben]

Hey Jeff, What I do when I want to detail a certain truck is to buy the old dealer brochure that covers that model. There's usually lots of great pictures showing all areas of the truck. You can find them on Ebay usually pretty cheap. If you don't find the one your looking for, scan the listings and look for seller names that tell you that they probably sell brochures as a business. Then you can contact them and ask if they have what your looking for. I've bought a bunch that way!

[SpreadAxle]

The engine is a Cummins engine. Most likely an NTC-400. The kit was originally made in the mid 80s, so it will be a Big Cam 2 or Big Cam 3 engine. Big Cam simply refers to the increase in cam size that Cummins did in the 70s. They went from a 2 inch cam, to a 2.5 inch cam.

Click here for great engine photos. This is the Cummins page.

http://www.jobbersinc.com/Cummins_engine.htm

Edited October 27, 2010 by FlatbedKW

[phantomfan]

Hey Jeff, What I do when I want to detail a certain truck is to buy the old dealer brochure that covers that model. There's usually lots of great pictures showing all areas of the truck. You can find them on Ebay usually pretty cheap. If you don't find the one your looking for, scan the listings and look for seller names that tell you that they probably sell brochures as a business. Then you can contact them and ask if they have what your looking for. I've bought a bunch that way!

Thanks Ben, I will definately look into that!

Cheers,

Jeff

[phantomfan]

The engine is a Cummins engine. Most likely an NTC-400. The kit was originally made in the mid 80s, so it will be a Big Cam 2 or Big Cam 3 engine. Big Cam simply refers to the increase in cam size that Cummins did in the 70s. They went from a 2 inch cam, to a 2.5 inch cam.

Click here for great engine photos. This is the Cummins page.

http://www.jobbersinc.com/Cummins_engine.htm

Thanks Ray. The pics will help out greatly from that site.

Jeff