Yes, the AMT truck kits are right out of the 1970s, and with the different runs of AMT. AMT/Ertl, AMT/Matchbox, etc. the part numbers on the trees (if there are any) don't mean anything. The instructions are vague, to put it mildly. The hardest part of the Wight-Freightliner COE is the multi-piece cab. Getting that thing to line up can me a major pain. I have (2) of the SD kits & (1) of the DD kits in the stash, but I haven't had the inspiration to start any of them yet.
Jim
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Commercial Trucking Group Build Discussion
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
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Posted: Friday, June 12, 2020 - 12:29 AM UTC
GaryKato
Joined: December 06, 2004
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Posted: Friday, June 12, 2020 - 04:36 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The instructions are vague, to put it mildly.
There is part in the instructions where you put an air relay valve on the back of an air brake tank. An arrow just points to the back. No diagram to show the rear of the tank to show where or how exactly it goes.
If getting the cab of the truck is difficult, I can expect lots of fun trying to get the van part of the trailers put together.
And then there will be putting a chrome finish on the wheels.
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
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Posted: Friday, June 12, 2020 - 05:28 AM UTC
Doesn't the Double-Header kit come with spoke wheels? I do not have this exact kit, but I do have two of the AMT US Mail Ford C-900 with 27ft Trailer kit, and the trailer in that kit is essentially one of the trailers from the Double-Header kit. The trailer in one of my kits has chrome 5-hole disk wheels. Since I am planning on painting them anyway, if you'd like them, maybe we can arrange a trade.
Jim
Jim
HARV
#012
Joined: November 07, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2020 - 04:12 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Nice choices, Randy
Thank you James. I have the 1926 Mack sitting in the stash collecting dust. If I go with the DM600 I'll have to order it. I like Mack trucks.
Quoted Text
Randy, thanks for joining in, great to have you on board!
Thank you Damian and you're welcome. Looking forward to it. I haven't built a civilian vehicle in awhile so I guess it is time to do so.
Thank you,
Randy
GaryKato
Joined: December 06, 2004
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Posted: Sunday, June 14, 2020 - 09:37 AM UTC
I was taking pictures of the kit parts when I found the vinyl tubing for the air lines. Now I'll have to research where they go!
I'm sure I saw a thread where the builder scraped the chrome off the wheels of some kit and used something to replace it. I'll see if I can find it.
Update:
I've seen photos of the trailers in CF livery with the wheels painted red. I might go with that.
I'm sure I saw a thread where the builder scraped the chrome off the wheels of some kit and used something to replace it. I'll see if I can find it.
Update:
I've seen photos of the trailers in CF livery with the wheels painted red. I might go with that.
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
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Posted: Sunday, June 14, 2020 - 01:03 PM UTC
that seems reasonable. Most fleets wouldn't have sprung for chrome anything back in the 1970s.
Jim
Jim
GaryKato
Joined: December 06, 2004
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Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - 07:22 AM UTC
The truck arrived today!
One weird thing about the truck is how the windshield and side windows are all one piece that goes into the cab. I've half a mind to cut the windows out and mount them into the cab.
One weird thing about the truck is how the windshield and side windows are all one piece that goes into the cab. I've half a mind to cut the windows out and mount them into the cab.
Cosimodo
#335
Joined: September 03, 2013
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Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - 11:59 AM UTC
Quoted Text
One weird thing about the truck is how the windshield and side windows are all one piece that goes into the cab. I've half a mind to cut the windows out and mount them into the cab.
I don't know Gary. For the Peterbilt I did that was one of the few things that AMT got right. The glass was a really good fit as a one piece shell.
cheers
Michael
Dixon66
Joined: December 12, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - 08:45 AM UTC
I've been driving for 4 hours a day for the last two days on major interstate highways. Some random thoughts on modern big rig trucking in the northeast U.S.
1. 30-40% of the tractors are white for the main color.
2. Single drive day cabs are not as rare as I thought, however most were either supermarket chains or the big brown company.
3. It is not unusual to see sleeper cabs pulling gravel trailers.
4. FedEx Ground pulls a lot of tandem trailers. Some were modified with a lower floor dropping in front of the wheels (some were built originally that way too, some you could see that they were clearly modified).
5. Old school sleepers (as opposed to modern integrated aerodynamic ones) are not all that rare, you could tell that most are owner operators by the fancier paint jobs.
I even saw two old school Mack dump trucks, one was a U cab and one an R. Both were owned by different local paving companies.
I have too much time on my hands while driving.....
1. 30-40% of the tractors are white for the main color.
2. Single drive day cabs are not as rare as I thought, however most were either supermarket chains or the big brown company.
3. It is not unusual to see sleeper cabs pulling gravel trailers.
4. FedEx Ground pulls a lot of tandem trailers. Some were modified with a lower floor dropping in front of the wheels (some were built originally that way too, some you could see that they were clearly modified).
5. Old school sleepers (as opposed to modern integrated aerodynamic ones) are not all that rare, you could tell that most are owner operators by the fancier paint jobs.
I even saw two old school Mack dump trucks, one was a U cab and one an R. Both were owned by different local paving companies.
I have too much time on my hands while driving.....
AussieReg
Associate Editor#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
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Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - 10:32 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I have too much time on my hands while driving.....
Gathering critical reference material is an essential service!
Cheers, D
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
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Posted: Thursday, June 18, 2020 - 02:06 AM UTC
I love the shorty tandem "pup trailers" that UPS so often seems to favor. We have a distribution terminal for UPS right here in town so I see a lot of those. I have noticed the drop floor versions from time to time but they don't seem to dominate the fleet. Would be interesting to know the percentage of the drop floors in the entire fleet. Given our close proximity to I-64 and I-75 here in Lexington the long haul UPS trucks leave the terminal, jump on the interstate and are GONE. I do a fair amount of interstate driving myself so I see them often.
Very glad that AMT rose to the challenge on providing these models.
As an aside; when traveling on the interstate I often will exit at rest stops and carefully pull through the truck parking area. Often I will see interesting trucks, over sized loads and military vehicles being moved by flat bed that I can then take many detail photos at my leisure.
Some Examples:
Very glad that AMT rose to the challenge on providing these models.
As an aside; when traveling on the interstate I often will exit at rest stops and carefully pull through the truck parking area. Often I will see interesting trucks, over sized loads and military vehicles being moved by flat bed that I can then take many detail photos at my leisure.
Some Examples:
Tank1812
Joined: April 29, 2014
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Posted: Thursday, June 18, 2020 - 02:35 AM UTC
Will be following your build Gary, as I too just got the AMT SD/DD kit and ordered the Czech Truck Model pe set for the kit.
The_Snowman
Joined: August 26, 2015
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Posted: Sunday, June 28, 2020 - 08:50 AM UTC
Hi Damian,
Thanks for the invite, as you are aware I have already done my trailer and now am looking to my cheap Revell Peterbilt 359. The only reason I bought it was because it was less than £30. I've attached an image of the kit below as well as my inspiration for the trailer and horse.
Peterbilt by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr
b1dd01546d486b00ac6933dfad22edc4 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr
2734e8e73d8b2248b4df099523a13043 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr
8a6e7498d50159bff7b48a03f2e77806 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr
15826314947_df157f5c3c_b by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr
15389797464_5fac0e5ba4_b by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr
I wanted a weary real world hauler, not a garage queen or tarted up rod truck.
Looking forward to seeing everyone's contributions and sharing some of my WIP as soon as I get back into gear.
Till later, keep on truckin'!!
Thanks for the invite, as you are aware I have already done my trailer and now am looking to my cheap Revell Peterbilt 359. The only reason I bought it was because it was less than £30. I've attached an image of the kit below as well as my inspiration for the trailer and horse.
Peterbilt by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickrb1dd01546d486b00ac6933dfad22edc4 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr2734e8e73d8b2248b4df099523a13043 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr8a6e7498d50159bff7b48a03f2e77806 by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr15826314947_df157f5c3c_b by Gavin Snowdon, on Flickr15389797464_5fac0e5ba4_b by Gavin Snowdon, on FlickrI wanted a weary real world hauler, not a garage queen or tarted up rod truck.
Looking forward to seeing everyone's contributions and sharing some of my WIP as soon as I get back into gear.
Till later, keep on truckin'!!
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
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Posted: Friday, July 03, 2020 - 01:57 AM UTC
So, yesterday I was minding my own business on YouTube, and a series of videos showed up in my feed from Jacks' Chrome Shop called "100 Years of Trucking". It's an interesting series, however, it is quite US centered so the series should probably be called "100 Years of US Trucking", but I'm sure our European, British, & Australian friends will find it interesting:
100 Years of Trucking
Here is a link to the rest of the playlists.
Enjoy!
Jim
100 Years of Trucking
Here is a link to the rest of the playlists.
Enjoy!
Jim
noddy927
Joined: February 15, 2013
KitMaker: 1,273 posts
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Posted: Friday, July 03, 2020 - 11:30 PM UTC
Hi guys
I have Scania I have been planning to convert to a de-ice rig for months. I have built 2 on commission for 2 of my ex colleagues which I did a few years back, and as I have now left the job I wanted do one for myself. This would be a good opportunity to get it done.
Pete
I have Scania I have been planning to convert to a de-ice rig for months. I have built 2 on commission for 2 of my ex colleagues which I did a few years back, and as I have now left the job I wanted do one for myself. This would be a good opportunity to get it done.
Pete
AussieReg
Associate Editor#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
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Posted: Saturday, July 04, 2020 - 12:44 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi guys
I have Scania I have been planning to convert to a de-ice rig for months. I have built 2 on commission for 2 of my ex colleagues which I did a few years back, and as I have now left the job I wanted do one for myself. This would be a good opportunity to get it done.
Pete
I remember the last one you built here, it was a really interesting project to follow, a unique subject with some great scratch building. It would be wonderful to see you go around again in this Group Build!
Cheers, D
noddy927
Joined: February 15, 2013
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Posted: Saturday, July 04, 2020 - 12:46 AM UTC
Thanks Damian, I opted in anyway.
GaryKato
Joined: December 06, 2004
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Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2020 - 08:20 PM UTC
Well, I decided to do the 5th-wheel Dolly of the Tandem Vans first. I have cut most of the parts out although I am missing one. Since AMT seemed to put 2 identical bags of parts (each containing parts for one dolly and one trailer), I am hoping to find the missing part in there.
Dixon66
Joined: December 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,500 posts
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Posted: Sunday, August 23, 2020 - 07:10 AM UTC
I wonder if this would have qualified?
It fits a WW2 Jeep in the cargo area. LOL
It fits a WW2 Jeep in the cargo area. LOL
Szmann
Joined: September 02, 2014
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Posted: Sunday, August 23, 2020 - 02:36 PM UTC
Slowly catching up with you, guys!
I am a little taken aback by the GB theme - I wasn't expecting so soon another one. However - I'm ready to jump in. Since the small trucks are banned - I have a 1/24th Deora and a 1/35th VW 82 Kastenwagen - I need to "borrow" a MB Typ 2.5-32 from my soft-skin stash or a MAN 5T and press it into civilian service
But there it is time for me to upgrade my stash accordingly - maybe with a Magirus, maybe with an Unimog (if this last one qualifies). An Iveco it is also an attractive option.
I'm not sure if I miss the point on payload limit to denote the "big rig" - but I would say to apply the real life rule. In EU (Romania at least) you can drive with B category vehicles with a payload up to 1.5 metric tonnes or a vehicle with a total mass of up to 3000kg. Allowed exception is a vehicle towing a small trailer with a payload of max. 600kg or a total mass of 800kg, in which case the total mass can be above 3000kg. So, everything above these limits is to be considered "heavy transport" and need a special driving license, coded C (up to 7T, no trailer), D (semis) or C+D (semis with a trailer).
Gabriel
I am a little taken aback by the GB theme - I wasn't expecting so soon another one. However - I'm ready to jump in. Since the small trucks are banned - I have a 1/24th Deora and a 1/35th VW 82 Kastenwagen - I need to "borrow" a MB Typ 2.5-32 from my soft-skin stash or a MAN 5T and press it into civilian service
But there it is time for me to upgrade my stash accordingly - maybe with a Magirus, maybe with an Unimog (if this last one qualifies). An Iveco it is also an attractive option.I'm not sure if I miss the point on payload limit to denote the "big rig" - but I would say to apply the real life rule. In EU (Romania at least) you can drive with B category vehicles with a payload up to 1.5 metric tonnes or a vehicle with a total mass of up to 3000kg. Allowed exception is a vehicle towing a small trailer with a payload of max. 600kg or a total mass of 800kg, in which case the total mass can be above 3000kg. So, everything above these limits is to be considered "heavy transport" and need a special driving license, coded C (up to 7T, no trailer), D (semis) or C+D (semis with a trailer).
Gabriel
AussieReg
Associate Editor#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
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Posted: Thursday, August 27, 2020 - 02:01 AM UTC
Gabriel, really good to have you join this Group Build!. The payload requirements were discussed back on page 1 and we decided on a minimum equivalent to US Class 3.
Cheers, D
Quoted Text
As for payload capacity, I would say nothing smaller than Class 6 (19,501-26,000 lbs), but maybe Class 5 (16,001-19,500 lbs).
I'm not sure how these Classes transfer to the EU or Australia, but here is a pretty good list of US Truck classes (all weights are GVWR):
Class 1: Light Truck, 0-6000lbs, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado
Class 2a: Light Truck, 6001-8500lbs, Ford F150, Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Class 2b: Light/Medium Truck, 8501-10000lbs, Ford F250, Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Class 3: Medium Truck 10001-14000lbs, Ford F350, Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Class 4: Medium Truck, 14001-16000lbs, Ford F450, Chevrolet Silverado 4500
Class 5: Medium Truck, 16001-19500lbs, Ford F550, Peterbilt 325, Chevrolet Silverado 5500
Class 6: Medium Truck, 19501-26000lbs, Ford F650, Chevrolet Kodiak 6500, International Durastar, Peterbilt 330
Class 7: Heavy Truck, 26001-33000lbs, Ford F750, Peterbilt 337, Kenworth T470, GMC C7500
Class 8: Heavy Truck, 33001lbs & up, Kenworth W900, Peterbilt 359, International ProStar
Depending on where we do the cutoff, the GMC CCKW Duce & a Half (GVRW 16400lbs) and the CMP 15 CWT might not count. The M39, M809 & M939 series 5-ton trucks will.
Cheers, D
Szmann
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
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Posted: Thursday, August 27, 2020 - 08:21 AM UTC
Thanks, D.!
I somehow missed the whole conversation.
Yes, this will translate into C, D, C+D type license (American Class 3 and up).
In this case, the only option in my stash is the MAN 5t in 1/35th scale. I added also the 2010 International Lonestar by Moebius in my shopping cart, but I'm not sure if it will make the cut.
Gabriel
I somehow missed the whole conversation.
Yes, this will translate into C, D, C+D type license (American Class 3 and up).
In this case, the only option in my stash is the MAN 5t in 1/35th scale. I added also the 2010 International Lonestar by Moebius in my shopping cart, but I'm not sure if it will make the cut.
Gabriel
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2020 - 12:54 AM UTC
Gabriel,
The Moebius International Lonestar is a Class 8 highway truck, it'll definitely make the cut. It's a really nice kit, too. Built a purple one a couple of years ago.
If I get another one, I think it would look good as a steampunk show truck. We'll see.
Jim
The Moebius International Lonestar is a Class 8 highway truck, it'll definitely make the cut. It's a really nice kit, too. Built a purple one a couple of years ago.
If I get another one, I think it would look good as a steampunk show truck. We'll see.
Jim
Dixon66
Joined: December 12, 2002
KitMaker: 1,500 posts
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Posted: Friday, August 28, 2020 - 04:08 AM UTC
The Lonestars are a rare beast here in the Northeast USA. I think I've only seen two of them, so I'm looking forward to seeing yours Gabriel.
In the vein of this, and as a precursor to the GB, I started last night on an AMT (Lord, grant me strength) Ford LNT-8000 Dump Truck that I will be building as a day cab Semi unit. The dump body will end up on either a Mack DM600 or R685.
I have to keep reminding myself that the original molds are from 1971, just six years younger than I am.
Thanks to Jim for providing me with a link to detail the engine.
In the vein of this, and as a precursor to the GB, I started last night on an AMT (Lord, grant me strength) Ford LNT-8000 Dump Truck that I will be building as a day cab Semi unit. The dump body will end up on either a Mack DM600 or R685.
I have to keep reminding myself that the original molds are from 1971, just six years younger than I am.
Thanks to Jim for providing me with a link to detail the engine.
Szmann
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Posted: Friday, August 28, 2020 - 05:28 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Gabriel,
The Moebius International Lonestar is a Class 8 highway truck, it'll definitely make the cut. It's a really nice kit, too. Built a purple one a couple of years ago. If I get another one, I think it would look good as a steampunk show truck. We'll see.
Jim
Thanks Jim! I know it fits the subject, I don't know for sure if I'm gonna buy it
But from your reactions I must oblige Quoted Text
The Lonestars are a rare beast here in the Northeast USA. I think I've only seen two of them, so I'm looking forward to seeing yours Gabriel.
I never seen one in person, but I totally love the design, as much as the "American" Volvo.
Quoted Text
In the vein of this, and as a precursor to the GB, I started last night on an AMT (Lord, grant me strength) Ford LNT-8000 Dump Truck that I will be building as a day cab Semi unit. The dump body will end up on either a Mack DM600 or R685.
You are a brave man
Gabriel
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