Rockford Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 Here's the latest project, yet another 1/32 Snap-Tite job. This is probably the bridge between the old school of the Peterbilt 359, the KW 925 etc... and the modern class 8 aerodynamic tractor. It's got the Louisville cab [they were gorgeous trucks] but encased in spoilers and aerodynamic peripherals. Naturally, being a "snapper" it will need some help to be a proper model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 (edited) First problem, the sideskirts include the quarterfenders yet they're miles away from the second axle because the chassis is the generic conventional version in these kits. I cut 10mm out of the chassis and things are much better. Looks like it was designed! Edited December 12, 2020 by Rockford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 (edited) Second step, to remove the excessive amount of tread plate on the chassis [marked in red] which is there to obscure the missing detail on the chassis. This means I'll have to detail the axles etc... Edited December 12, 2020 by Rockford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 The chassis has a closing type crossmember at the rear so I cut that out and made myself a more accurate rear crossmember to go further in. Then I had to start on the tandems. I made a profile of the differential out of plastic card which slotted into the axles and gave me something to work to. Then I used decreasing widths of sliced card to build a rounded upper casing. Once dry I used putty to shape them into the rear diff and the power divider. It's not up to workshop manual standard but from a distance it looks 'diffy'! Next, more chassis detail I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 Nice modifications. I like your progress so far. Any plans for the wheels & tires? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 5 hours ago, Jim B said: Nice modifications. I like your progress so far. Any plans for the wheels & tires? I'm possibly going to turn the rears into white two hole discs and just tidy the tyres up. I desperately want to find something that looks like hubs in the rear wheels. I know the wheels and tyres are one of the main let downs on these kits but I don't see any alternative. The AMT1/32 pieces were better but they're unobtainable now. I'll have to work with what I've got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 Another main let down on these "snappers" is the chassis rails. They're just moulded square when we all know pressed steel chassis rails are a 'C' section. To remedy this I cut 3mm strips of plastic from stock card and laid it on the top and bottom of the main chassis rails. I filled the edges and sanded a round profile on the edges to mimic the pressed 'C' section. I'd already added a couple of fillets to the end of the centre crossmember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 I found a piece of thick sprue and put in the chuck of my "lathe" (drill). Using a hand file I turned four spring brake chambers. I also fabbed a quick release valve from a piece of square rod and drilled it for the hoses (it's impossible to make these things to scale, a QR valve is only a little thing). This can then take the hoses to the brake chambers and the feed from the air reservoir. The valve would normally be mounted on the axle so I let the wire hoses position it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 I was going to leave it there but then I had an urge to add the pushrod from the chamber, the slack adjuster and the 'S' cam into the drum. I rummged through my box of bits for something to use. I found this piece of sprue and had an idea. I cut the tab down and rounded the edge off. Then I cut the end off. I then cut 4 small slices from the section and hey presto - 4 little slack adjusters. I drilled two holes in each for the pushrod yoke and added a piece of round bar for the 'S' cam up to the backplate of the brakes. It's not perfect but it looks ok and no one will ever see it but I've proven to myself that I'm not as stupid as I look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 Stephen it’s amazing how you are able to take these simple kits and make them very detailed and realistic. Awesome work and thanks for sharing your steps in how you are able to scratch build the parts you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I Am Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 I don't do this in 1/25, let alone 1/32. This is amazing work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcarfan27 Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 2 hours ago, Rockford said: That's pretty clever, I never would've thought of that! Simple and strong - they'll never break apart. BTW, how stupid DO you look? ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted December 19, 2020 Author Share Posted December 19, 2020 Really, really stupid!!!!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 Amazing work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 I wanted to do something with the wheels on this truck. They're the usual generic ten hole alloys but I'd love some two hole white discs. I had no option but to do it myself. I first enlarged two of the existing holes with a little rotary file, then roughed the others up and sealed them with a blob of cement. Once that was set, I levelled them off with putty (I didn't get a picture of that stage but they looked awful) Using my motor tool and a stone I ground them down but they were rough. So I got one of the felt buffers that come with the motor tool and fitted into the dish snugly. I glued a piece of 800 wet and dry to it. Dipped the wheel in water and give it a rub down! Turned out ok. Quick coat of paint and they look fine. I also wanted some hubs on these wheels. I made them out of chunky bits of sprue, hollowing them out with a drill so they can sit over the end of the axles. I coloured them blue with a Sharpie to give some contrast. I'll be painting the chassis metallic blue. It's so much better to see the hubs sticking out in a 3/4 view. Quick mock up and they look ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Awesome work on your 2 hole rims. You can’t tell they were 10 hole rims. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 This is more to show everyone (including myself) that this is not a stalled build. The weather has finally broken and spring has landed. Temperatures have been reaching double digits on some days and the big shiny thing in the sky has returned. So I can finally get some paint on the Aeromax. Chose a two tone scheme. Was going to do the top cap of the cab in the darker colour but then thought against it. That's why I left it loose, otherwise I'd have cemented it on before painting, never mind. The turquoise went on beautifully but the light blue seems a bit more porridgy and didn't settle as well, however, I'm sure it will polish up ok. Really happy with the duals, they look like proper axles now, from above and below. Can't help mocking it up but have to be careful because the paint is still a little soft. Leave it to cure now. Then a polish and final touches. Thinking of a white stripe on the cab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Amazing detail work on this! Love the color combination too. David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doorsovdoon Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Yes, great looking colour combo. looks really good for a snapper, and in 1:32! Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 Thanks for the kind comments lads. I'm quite happy with it. The chassis colour didn't need any polishing at all. I'm looking at finishing it this weekend. Was watching the Kenworth W900 and the Freightliner cabover on eBay this week but the prices were too much for me. They were original issues but built and still went to ridiculous (in my eyes) prices. I have my two dry vans to finish after this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 I added the finishing touches to this kit and posted it in the "Under Glass" section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 You gotta be kiddin' me, Man... This is an awesome project... Man, this looks good... Great job on all the mods... I see some really excellent ideas, here, I would have never thought to do... Very nice work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 4 hours ago, kilrathy10 said: You gotta be kiddin' me, Man... This is an awesome project... Man, this looks good... Great job on all the mods... I see some really excellent ideas, here, I would have never thought to do... Very nice work... Thank you sir, very kind. I have to say, I am fairly pleased with it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 Stephen , I like this project. And You have taken the detailing to a whole nother level . The color combination looks great. nice work ! Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted April 18, 2021 Author Share Posted April 18, 2021 Thanks Gator. You're too kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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