AP40rocktruck

I also have the 1/25 scale printed D7 from Romania. So far they have done 3 crawlers in 1/25. Only 2 were put on the market.

Well, after a very long absence from the IPMS, I received my May / June 2024 Journal issue today August 23. I have ONE glaring dislike, why is the type in every article so light or faded? Meanwhile all the adds are full color and bold type. What the heck, instant headache trying to read the articles. Very disappointed in the magazine. Maybe time to stop printing & go digital... My 2 pennies. Rick

That came out fantastic! So what's next? a diorama?

For weather strip that sits at the same model surface plane, I the same tools & methods, without adding an additional layers of material (ABS in this case) to the subject.

I have done this a similar method as Firemodeler1. I make forming tools out of brass, and use them to shape the molding to its curved profile. This sequence is for weather strip that is raised above the surrounding model plane.

Just a few updates today, beginning my favorite part of most builds, bolt heads! I decided to work with the kit parts, rather than updating / correcting to proper bolt bosses.

FYI, Dan Model out of Romania is making a 1/25 scale D-7 with a Letourneau cable blade, 3D printed in high resolution resin. He also offers the same D7 with a hydraulic blade. I have 1 each & they are excellent.

I built one of these in y youth many moons ago, Now time to give the reissue a go. So much putty & sanding & so many sink spots. Built a jig to assemble the prop & time the blades. More photos as time allows.

I am looking for just the trailer from the 1/35 Tamiya M26 Dragon wagon. I have a special project coming & need a complete unbuilt trailer. Thank you all in advance. Cheers Rick

Thanks folks, No I have some options to try out. Cheers

That's really cool, great topic to see replicated.

I built this from Mack factory drawings almost 20 years ago, the photos were taken last month. Scratch built primarily in ABS, brass, and resin. Actual unit is one of 2 operated by Hallamore Corporation for heavy haulage. Specs: Cummins VT-1710, Allison CL(B)T-6062 transmission, Mack 150,000 lb. planetary tandem. Fabricated I beam frame sitting on 18:00 x 25 E-3 tires. After compiling all the details, drawings and photos of the actual unit, it took about 7 weeks to build. Included is a photo of the actual truck. Cheers Rick

I have been using Elmer's school glue to mount windows & clear parts for years, but have found the recent purchase of more has proven that the recipe has changed. What do others use & has great results with? Cheers Rick

Hydraulic fitting kits are available from CTM, These are amazing. https://www.czechtruckmodel.com/wiring-and-piping/296-ctm-24007-hydraulic-fittings-and-hoses-1-15-and-2-mm.html https://www.czechtruckmodel.com/wiring-and-piping/221-ctm-24233-tee-fittings-for-air-lines.html https://www.czechtruckmodel.com/wiring-and-piping/220-ctm-24232-elbow-fittings-for-air-lines.html https://www.czechtruckmodel.com/wiring-and-piping/219-ctm-24231-straight-fittings-for-air-lines.html I have many of each, absolutely the best products on the market. Buy direct from CTM, ships from Czech Republic Cheers Rick

Greetings all, I have a built up 1/32-ish scale WW2 Curtis P-40E, that I originally built in the early 70's. The box and such are long gone, it has been repainted and repaired multiple times over the years. Does anyone have a memory or recollection as to the maker of the kit? Long shot I know, but the kit has the highest level of sentimental value and although I don't build the subject matter anymore I would still like to know who the manufacture was! Any kit historians here?? Cheers, Rick

Impressive, Especially the folded up & wrapped for long term storage. Rick

Well the work with the decals for spacing is a great idea (I might steal that process) and the results show for it.

WOW, I am gob smacked by your talent & commitment to your project!

That would be great. Rick

So those brass louvers & the press to form them were fabricated in 1998-ish. I need to make a new tool (press) as the original one was damaged when I moved in 2006. If I remember correctly, in 1998 it cost me about $2000 in time & materials to make the forming die. Plus another $800 to have the brass laser slitting done. Not a cheap way to fabricate one piece of a model. In terms of how the die or tool worked in the press, one side had the raised shape for the underside of the louver & the top plate had an opening cut to the perimeter dimensions of the louver. This was repeated with exact spacing to form a row of 30 louvers. The reason the sheet of brass is so much larger than needed was 1, to have enough surrounding material to allow for the stretch to take place with out distortion of the surrounding metal. 2, so that 4 alignment pins could be cut into each piece of brass, where these are needed to align the 30 slits correctly for good louver formation. 3, those alignment pins must be far enough apart so it does not interfere with the final shape of the parts (hood side panel) can be cut from the stock. The tool / die was machined out of D2 and was not heat treated. For only 8 parts I wasn't willing to spend more on heat treat & super finishing, or my time to do the work. D2 after heat treat is miserable to polish out especially in such small spaces. A big part of making the tool, was allowances for brass thickness & understanding how soft brass moves at room temperature during stretch. If you are going to use 1/4 round, I strongly suggest making the hood sides out of styrene instead of brass. Even with a jig, getting 30 in a perfect row, evenly spaced and twice with styrene to brass would be difficult at best. Hopefully this gives you some direction or ideas. Rick

Awesome build & vignette. The 1/24 version is a super kit.

Is it possible to have a separate thread for Commercial Truck & Construction Equipment? Could include Fire Apparatus, light & medium commercial & farm equipment. Just my 2 cents. Cheers

To get more of a three dimensional look, I have used small rubber bands, glued in place & painted to suit.

Do you know what size or Cubic inch the inline 6 gas motors are? Or a brand / model number, such as Hall-Scott or Continental. Check out Iceman Collectibles. High quality 3D printed engines and all sorts of other parts. https://icemancollections.com/

Holy super builds batman! Crazy talent right there!