78KW
Regional OTR Driver
Hard Time don't last...Trucker's do!
Posts: 2,467
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Post by 78KW on Sept 11, 2010 17:58:43 GMT -5
As my title implies, an innocent KW that had done nothing to anyone has been sliced and diced. It was a truck I was already going to build, but I changed my mind as to how I would do it. I was originally going to update an AMT KW kit with new battery boxes and door handles along with the CAT engine. Instead, I grabbed one of my Snap KW kits the next time I got home after my inspiration hit me. I used the 1991 re-issue molded in the orange plastic. I figure it's the perfect one to use for a learning experience, considering what a pain this kit was. The orange plastic being a pain to paint, and the chrome on this kit isn't very good, so I think I'll be Alcladding it instead. As you will see, there is a bit of a size difference between the AMT and Monogram cabs. The AMT cab fits inside the other cab pretty nicely. It's still usable for the plug I made. It didn't come out perfect, but it's a good start. Anyhow, here's where my experiment has taken me so far, starting with those first cuts. I was originally going to use the AMT sleeper in the pic, but I used it for reference to cut down the Aerodyne instead. The detail on it around the doors is better. I will use a KW roof I have at home that will be cut down. Besides, it's good practice for a future project I have in mind. Here you see the "organ donor", the cab from an Alaskan Hauler kit that I have designated a parts kit. My "plug" is glued into place. I still have all the putty and sanding to do later, but I'm happy to have started at least. And here is a mock up. I've been working on a front wall for the sleeper as well as fitting a floor. I'll post some more pix tomorrow after more of the bodywork has been done.
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Post by plastictrucker on Sept 11, 2010 18:35:46 GMT -5
I like what your doing,Ray .The newer kw is a bit nicer with the flush handles and twin battery boxes. These are my favorite conventionals.I see I'm not the only one with a ton of projects started,only a small portion finished .The only bad thing is you parted out an alaskan hauler,I realy want one of them to replace the one I had as a kid.What you doing with the areodyne roof??
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78KW
Regional OTR Driver
Hard Time don't last...Trucker's do!
Posts: 2,467
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Post by 78KW on Sept 11, 2010 18:50:11 GMT -5
The roof is going on another KW sleeper.
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Post by gatormarcstaug on Sept 12, 2010 8:55:47 GMT -5
Cool modifications!! I am going to be wacthing this one for sure!
Gator
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fish
Local Delivery Truck Driver
Posts: 58
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Post by fish on Sept 12, 2010 9:11:31 GMT -5
Nice work and great idea ! I look foward to more.
I've got the new release and was thinking of doing something similar. I will prolly make mine a day-cab though.
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78KW
Regional OTR Driver
Hard Time don't last...Trucker's do!
Posts: 2,467
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Post by 78KW on Oct 11, 2010 21:29:31 GMT -5
Well, it's been awhile. I planned on working on this while I've been home, but an unexpected turn of events had my truck in the shop, along with all my modeling supplies. I finally have my truck back. I will return to work any day now, but I figured I would finish off the sleeper. I still have to get the putty out and fill and sand, but here is some progress. I changed direction a little on this sleeper. I had a Revell of Germany KW W900 that was going to donate its roof, except I couldn't find it. I used the AMT sleeper roof, front wall, and floor. The Monogram sleeper donated its sides and rear wall. I separated the rear wall from the sides, and shaved it a little. It had to be narrowed a little to fit under the AMT roof. Here it is from the "Monogram" side. ..and from the "AMT" end.... Here's the cab with it's filler panel and first light coat of primer. And a couple of mock up shots. I hope to have more pix up later this week after I'm finished with the filling, sanding and primering.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2010 7:32:22 GMT -5
Looking really nice, Ray. I like how this one is coming along. Great mods.
So, you parted out an Alaskan Hauler. What did you do with the hood and Hill & Hill decals?
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78KW
Regional OTR Driver
Hard Time don't last...Trucker's do!
Posts: 2,467
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Post by 78KW on Oct 12, 2010 13:03:12 GMT -5
I sent all the hood parts to Chris at SourKraut. He's going to try and see if there can be any interest in casting an Alaskan Hauler conversion kit. I did keep the headache rack. I have the Hill and Hill decals if you want them.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2010 20:27:18 GMT -5
I hope he does cast the hood. It was very unique.
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Post by rabbit1212 on Oct 17, 2010 8:03:54 GMT -5
Hello Ray. Well being a huge KW fan I have to say that I like what you have done here. Lots of hard work that looks like it has been well thought out. Keep up the good work!
Paulie
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Modelsbyroni
Local Delivery Truck Driver
EASTBOUND & DOWN. LOADED UP & TRUCKIN'.
Posts: 451
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Post by Modelsbyroni on Oct 17, 2010 14:44:35 GMT -5
GREAT WORK.
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78KW
Regional OTR Driver
Hard Time don't last...Trucker's do!
Posts: 2,467
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Post by 78KW on Nov 11, 2010 14:12:00 GMT -5
I haven't touched this thing for awhile. I took an oppurtunity to primer the hood and add coats to the cab and sleeper on this project. Here's the first mock up of the body. ...and on the frame...
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78KW
Regional OTR Driver
Hard Time don't last...Trucker's do!
Posts: 2,467
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Post by 78KW on Nov 11, 2010 17:02:18 GMT -5
JimB, I hold you personally responsible for this update(in a good way. LOL). When you built your W900, it was suggested you hook it to your livestock trailer. You said you couldn't because of the fixed position of the 5th wheel. I remember this well, as I built this kit in 1991 when it was released, and then hooked it to an AMT Allied Van lines trailer. Needless to say, I could only position it straight ahead. So, with that memory sparked by your reminder, I went ahead and did this. My very first Revell AG kit was the Black Widow Pete. It was scrapped long ago, thanks to a fall. That's where the red 5th wheel slide plate came from. First, I removed the slider plate that Monogram molded into place on the KW frame. I then took my Dremel and a cutting wheel and shaved the teeth on the plate in 1/2 from the innermost edges. I then took this 5th wheel carrier from an AMT Pabst Blue Ribbon Freightliner that was an ebay glue and paint bomb, and shaved plastic away from the bottom, the part where the slider plate's teeth would go. The snap kit's 5th wheel fits right on top of the AMT 5th wheel carrier after the 2 tabs are removed from the bottom of the 5th wheel. Now we have a sliding 5th wheel. A livestock trailer is one idea I've had for this one, although I've had several ideas as well, so the trailer is still undecided at this point. So far, that's 2 inspirations for this build I've gotten from other builders. The other was regarding removing the kit's sleeper to make a daycab. Someone on another forum asked if it could be done, and I set out to see if I could.
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blackf40
Local Delivery Truck Driver
Posts: 36
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Post by blackf40 on Nov 12, 2010 0:08:12 GMT -5
Nice work--sometimes a challenge is exactly what is needed to redefine what's possible.
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78KW
Regional OTR Driver
Hard Time don't last...Trucker's do!
Posts: 2,467
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Post by 78KW on Nov 13, 2010 14:59:46 GMT -5
I removed 2 scale feet from the frame last night and here is the result mocked up. The removed section was then trimmed, and used as braces on the inner surface of the rails. The cut was made between the sleeper mounts that are molded to the frame rail.
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