traditional Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) Although I build plenty of plastic models, I've grown to really appreciate using inexpensive damaged diecast models as starting material for model projects. They are usually far more detailed and proportionate than many resin cabs and, assuming that the damaged (hence inexpensive) parts are not going to affect your building plans, they can be much less costly than their resin equivalents, and will usually be far more durable and permanent when finished. They also generally take well to normal automotive fillers, primers and paints etc. The downside is that they're often very finnicky and tedious to disassemble for paint stripping/modifying without damaging the various plastic parts that are part of their initial assembly. These days, I'll use any materials that are going to give me the best outcome...I no longer care whether the material is plastic, metal or whatever. This Mack B53 hydraulic concrete mixer uses a paint-stripped and modified FirstGear 1/25 towtruck as the basic chassis cab and a modified resin mixer drum with lots of handmade styrene, wire and aluminum tubing parts to complete the assembly. Most of the unrealistic chrome plating was painted out (grill-shell, windshield frames, mirrors etc.) and any unnecessary holes filled before automotive primer, basecoat and clearcoat was applied. The vertical exhaust stack was fabricated in aluminum tubing and mesh with some handmade brackets etc. and Letraset was used for the various lettering/logos. The standard Mack front bumper and braces (the wrecker had a massive'pusher- type' bumper) are formed in styrene. Incidentally, My computer only allows me to add one picture at a time and then I have to edit the post to add pictures.........so if you only see a couple of pics, give it a few minutes and they'll all be added. Thanks Edited December 4, 2011 by traditional
Nick Winter Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Got to see this beautiful Truck in person at the Ajax 31 show, the rest of Clifford and his brothers stuff was beautiful too. Nick
Bowtienutz Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Nice Work, My father's first mixer he drove was a B model mack. Hope the wrecker body wasn't to damaged. It's a very nice Holmes that could be recycled to another project.
highway Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 That is a very nice conversion, and I would have never thought it would be a diecast if you hadn't said anything. You mentioned the donor was originally a wrecker. What are your plans for the wrecker body??
Kostas Parchas Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 (edited) Nice n classic. Kostas. Edited December 4, 2011 by Kostas Parchas
truckabilly Posted December 5, 2011 Posted December 5, 2011 This is very nice rig. It does not matter what material is used for making a model as long as it looks this great. Using the die cast parts brings yet wider choice of model trucks that can be built. Nice build.
camaroman Posted December 5, 2011 Posted December 5, 2011 Love it... perfect execution. Used to cruise in a dark green B tractor that belonged to a friends' dad... talk about an attention getter.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now