77 GMC Tow Truck

[Helix]

Built this as part of another forums community build where you had to build a ute of some description for 'Australia Day'

I put this together over a 36 hour period including a dash conversion to capture that Aussie look....there are a few of these Down-under; however, becoming pretty scarce as the much easier 'tilt trays' are far more common.

I de-chromed the rims because they looked a bit too shiny for a tow-truck and painted them Tamiya Silver Leaf.

The false engine caught me by surprise and in the end I just had to detail it as best I could

I cut the 'roo-bar' off because it looked like a fence in my opinion and would not stop a 6 foot Kangaroo

Paint is Tamiya TS-34 Camel Yellow and a few decals including the Slixx pin-stripes, gear in the back is from the Fujimi 'Tools' kit and a few other sources.

Cheers

Ray

[Danno]

Cool.

[PappyD340]

Very NICE Ray!!

[slusher]

Very cool and super nice build Ray. Love the yellow...

[kilrathy10]

Nice dash conversion....That takes that truck to a new level.....The engine looks tiny inside there, but I guess that's how it was, back then.....Great work....Are those tires plastic??? I was thinking of using this model to replace the wheels on a Chevy Dually I have....

[crazyjim]

Looking good.

[Johnny K]

You know, that's interesting. As a side note, my wife has been watching an Australian series for a while now and I was getting a little confused as to what a 'Ute' was. Seemed every other vehicle was called that, so I actually had to look it up. I found it's a catch-all name for a passenger vehicle with a cargo tray in the rear - basically a pickup. Interesting and makes complete sense now. Good job.

[the goon]

I like it.

Mark

[Chuck Most]

What... no 'roo bar?

Seriously though- this is my favorite build-up of this kit I've ever seen so far. Love the combination of the color and graphics.

[Helix]

Nice dash conversion....That takes that truck to a new level.....The engine looks tiny inside there, but I guess that's how it was, back then.....Great work....Are those tires plastic??? I was thinking of using this model to replace the wheels on a Chevy Dually I have....

JT, the tyres are a solid rubber and are very well done, I sanded the tread for realism and the overall fit is very good, they would look even better with some simple lettering on the walls too

You know, that's interesting. As a side note, my wife has been watching an Australian series for a while now and I was getting a little confused as to what a 'Ute' was. Seemed every other vehicle was called that, so I actually had to look it up. I found it's a catch-all name for a passenger vehicle with a cargo tray in the rear - basically a pickup. Interesting and makes complete sense now. Good job.

Johnny, ute being short for Utility, that's what us Aussies say, yes very popular 'Down-Under' mate, every second vehicle on the road is a Ute

Thanks for all the comments guys much appreciated

Just a fun kit to build and with a bit of imagination and detail, they look good

[Chris White]

very nice build , you put the steering wheel on the wrong side, but other than that, looks good

[Helix]

What... no 'roo bar?

Seriously though- this is my favorite build-up of this kit I've ever seen so far. Love the combination of the color and graphics.

Funny you should say that Chuck, like I said before, some of the roo-bars these days would not stop or cushion the impact of a 'Skippy'

These days if you hit one, you hope for the best, they can do some serious damage though, cars have been 'written-off' after a roo hit...especially the plastic on modern cars these days

There have been serious accidents where people have swerved to miss a roo and that's where they get into trouble...roll the vehicle and suffer serious injury or death, a lot of 'backpackers' who come down-under have unfortunately been in this situation....

Cheers

Ray

[tbill]

that looks great, love the color/graphics and the dash conversion, fantastic package.

[Helix]

Thanks Tom, much appreciated