Novinky

Sebastian Meyner
...don't you have this kit in your own stash as well? 😜

Christoph Kunz
Indeed, he has...

Trez Mackenzie
Thanks for looking! But I've only just started back after 2 or 3 decades away so I'm still on 1/72 kits! So how about one of you guys get building it instead of diverting the blame 🤫😉😝

Sebastian Meyner
I'm sure the other 300 guys just got back into the hobby as well... so nobody needs to call anybody pathetic here.

@Christoph Kunz: "getroffene Hunde bellen..." 😉

Trez Mackenzie
I didn't call anyone pathetic - so no need to twist my words like a viper.

You seem to be some kind of psychic as you know the situation of 300 other minds. I think you should use this 'power' to get building this kit. Me and Christoph are waiting!

@Christoph Kunz: " Morgen, morgen, nur nicht heute, sagen alle faulen leute"

Christoph Kunz
Oh, I'm not waiting for anyone, I'm just waiting for tomorrow.

Treehugger
I suppose it is possible, like what I sometime do, I can't be bothered making a 'on order' label, going straight to 'stash' around the time I know I'll order something.

★ Starfish ★
Looks good so far! I think the Tamiya colors look fine!

Cristian A
Thanks Michael for the input, the more I look at the two Tamiya colors the more inclined I get to use them, also I already have them and they are of good quality.

Will continue to post progress.

Finn
Following

Shar Dipree
Looks good so far. Following.
How good and detailed do you think the kit is?

Cristian A
Hi Shar, the details are good enough for a 16 EUR kit but the build is not easy, struggled a lot with the canopy and cockpit. It's not a perfect representation of the real Alligator as it is built after the initial variant / prototype (EOP above, no camouflage scheme and paint references for it, no countermeasure system under the back landing gear and the nose is a bit different as well). The panel lines are recessed, so hopefully weathering will go smooth.

Shar Dipree
Thanks Cristian. I wish you success.

Cristian A
Thanks Shar, I wish you the same.

Sergej I
Following with interest

Ronan
Followiing too 😉

Ekki
Watching.

★ Starfish ★
That color looks awesome!

Cristian A
Yes it does!!

Thanks a lot for encouraging me to use it. I was very close to buying this entire paint set instead:

HTK-CS86 Russian AF Helicopt.. 1, Hataka Hobby Orange Line , Acrylic Lacquer, 8x 17ml

Shar Dipree
Looks great so far.
What kind of mixing ratio did you use for the ak paint?

Oliver
following

Cristian A
Hi Shar, around 40% paint + 60% thinner. I measure it in pipette drops - example 4 drops of paint, 6 drops of thinner.

CaptGPF
Following!

Bozzer
I don't know how I missed this, but I'll get in the rocking chair for it. Word of warning though, my friend... I was at this point, when the kit, put me in a false sense of security. It's the final details, that drive you crazy.

Mona
yes weird details like the cab interior tub being a little tweeked away from the door, had to to heat the top side lip and bend slightly toward door to fit . and the work around to getting the cab, on is to fit the grill piece on the frame then the cab to the grill piece ..Lol 😉

Bozzer
Don't ya just love a challenge?
If I ever went completely insane, I'd position every single piece on the outside, then drill holes for tiny pins, to enable positive mounting of the chrome parts. And I'd do that before I even hit the cab with paint. And I'd totally get some aftermarket mirrors! I try not to touch my trucks, once they go on the shelf, but I only have to look at my freight shaker and something else falls off! I watched so many videos and read so many forums, about the joint of death, that it threw my sleep pattern, out of sync. Eventually, I taped a full sheet of 1200 grit, to a sheet of glass, and went in random circular motions, on both sides. The joint took me 3 days to glue together properly. Then, I put masking tape, as close as possible, to each side of the joint, and filled. I first filed right upto the tape, then sanded through the tape with the grit. Doing it this week, helped me preserve the rivets on the roof. I'd love to have a daycab version, like yours, but I'm still pretty sane, so I guess it's just a waiting game? Lol

Mona
yer words of wisdom are a words of warning ..Lol , like the crazy old wizard warning the King and the Knights of the Round table About the cute little bunny rabbit that guards the cave entrance 😉

David Taylor
Ni.

Jonathon Herring
Was thinking of getting this kit but, the seem scared me off. Life is too short.😢

Mona
yes .. Jackhammer its a pain all right but its a Old School kit ..it won't be perfect its just practice 👍 😉

Jonathon Herring
Love day cab cab overs. Will have to tackle it eventually 😏

Mona
@ David T ...and then it hit me I remembered "we want a shrubbery" . @Jackhammer I've wanted to build a cab over for a long time ..figured no time better than the present, I'm not getting any younger ..Lol 🙂

Bozzer
Mona, the 352 Pete, KW 123, International Eagle 2, and in fairness, the Hideout Truck, are decent kits. The cruiseliner is a little bit tricky. The Revell K100 is very detailed and time consuming, however, it's extremely satisfying, if you can get one? You just picked a bad kit, that dates back to 1970, I think? I'd still rather build this, than any Euro truck, that we have over here. My next one, and last, will be a MACK (Renault) Magnum. Still collecting parts for that though.

Jonathon Herring
Bozzer! You tease! Now…….who can explain to me how to pace on the interweb?

Bozzer
Lol, personally, I'd look for the cheapest cabover you can find, from that list? I picked up my KW K123 from Ollie's, for 20 bucks, but that was a good while ago. They still sell kits, but you have to be on the ball! I chopped the roof and slammed a rocket on the back. Man, it was a piece of engineering! I should really get some pictures of it? But for $20 I didn't care? I know that you guys have large flea markets over there. I've picked up some good kits from them, and a cheap airbrush and compressor, used once, for $20 bucks! They're definitely worth checking out, if you have any close to you? Over here, I've just gone mad with everything. I'm still a big kid, who can now afford the kits I always wanted? Unfortunately, I also have the kits that I didn't know I wanted too, so I'm gonna be very busy in the future! You should see that new London Bus that I just picked up! With all the photo etch, I reckon that it's going to take me a year to build? Lol

Jonathon Herring
May the Gods of Bonding smile apon your endeavors and the imps of Hades squeal and Nash their teeth in the face of your tenacity. But beware the Omnipotent Carpet Monster🤪. Photo-etch is a mixed bag for me. Sometimes they would have us replace a 3d item with a 2d pe part. Soldering is a new ( as in practicing) skill that is light years away from consistent. Still, I use what I think enhances the model, save the rest for gizmology.

Jennifer Franklin
This all sounds ominous, but it is starting well 🙂

Bill Newcomer
I got two of those kits awhile back and built both of them. Neither were the configuration offered in the box. They have their challenges but they do turn out nice.
Freightliner COE triple drive | Album by musclecarfan (1:25)

Bozzer
I gotta admit, Bill made a superb job on his! I might send him one over, to do for me! 🙂

Mona
Bozzer not only did Bill do a fantastic job on Freightliner COE triple drive ..he provided a handy build tip, in his album ..the foam insulation in the tires 👍 😉

Bozzer
Yeah, he's a handy chap, our Bill. Hints and tips should be on everyone's profile, as an album. I've certainly picked up a few, during my time here, on Scalemates. It's a great community of people who enjoy the passion for paint and plastic. And there's some cracking banter along the way, too.

Bill Newcomer
Thanks Mona, I came up with that one on my own. Models just look wrong when you see the rim lip hanging out without tire bead up against it. AMT's wimpy tires need all the help they can get.

Bozzer
Bill, have you tried the Moebius set yet?

Bill Newcomer
Bozzer, I have. That is what I used on the black and gold Freightliner. Nice tires. Decent enough rims. Not a fan of the axle mounts. Had to get creative to hang them on my AMT kit.

Bozzer
Lol, there's always something to keep us busy mate. I missed out on a few sets, a couple of years ago, at a show here. Now, I can't find any over here? They're on my shopping list, for when I'm over there next though. I find them a little stiffer and more convincing. I have some resin stuff, but it's just as much work as the AMT tires. Nice prints, but lots of cleaning up, to make convincing.

Mona
little slow on this build not the pace of the previous truck ....I've been out in the garage working on my Beetle now that is warmer 🙂

Bill Newcomer
Mona, Yes summertime keeps away from the bench. Especially when the spouse has doubled the vegetable garden and you get to be the "free" labor.

Bozzer
And I'm prepping up the new Mancave, getting it all ready for the big push. Still got a few more weekends before it's ready to go up though. Bench time this week= zero

Bozzer
Mona, Modeltruckin has decals. Jerry is in the states. Don't give up now, this build is tough, but no reason to quit 100%

Casey Beckett
Mona-Just saw these CF decals on e bay - says they are custom -

"Consolidated Freightways Truck Decals 1:24 Scale Custom"

Seller says they are here in US

Mona
Hi, thank you 👍 for the info guy's ... wasn't too worried knew there had to be options 🙂

Bill Newcomer
Mona, I have the decals that I did not and will not use from building both of my Freightliners. I will mail them to you for free if you are interested. I did use bits and pieces from the decal sheets. I can post pics of the remaining if you are curious. They are a fairly fresh set too.

Martin Oostrom
That's cruel!! Coming all this way to have your decals fractured.

Mona
ahh no big deal ..just another step in the build 🙂

Bozzer
You gotta love this community, for stepping upto the plate, when s@#t happens. Kinda restores your faith in humanity 🙂

Bill Newcomer
Decals put in the mail this morning. 🙂

Mona
Thank you Bill 🙂

Villiers de Vos
Very nice progress. Belatedly booking my seat.

Mona
Hi Villiers 🙂

Bozzer
Gotta love the AFV's in the background. I wish I could still paint, that small! I've got a s*@t load of bits and pieces, in 1/35, I'll never use. I need to get them sorted out and given to the right person.

Mona
@ Bozzer ... several tanks on my desk a little cluttered, but I have some room to work 😉

David Taylor
Coming along nicely.

Mona
Hi, David ..it's a slow project but it will be completed soon 🙂

Jonathon Herring
I bought a larger desk to help with organizing yet……I reached critical mess about a week after setting it up. Just happens to the best of us ( not counting myself of course. 🫨)

David Taylor
Slowly does it.Just completed a Saxon APC 6mnths in the making.

Mona
Jonathon .. 😉 you should see my "work" bench in the garage, Lol organized chaos . but on my desk top seems the paint bottles rule the "parking lot" 👍

Mona
David ..I have a Dingo Mk1b awaiting completion and it's companion jeep almost 4yr's . It's for a diorama yet to be built ...slow build

Jonathon Herring
Paint is everywhere around my bench. Let's see: Mission Models, AK 3rd gen, Vallejo, Tamiya x's, Mr Color Aqueous, Ammo by MiG, VMS, Army Painter, and even some craft paints for hydrocal casting. Let's not even discuss pigments, washes, oils and peripheral supplies. Even worse is the amount of paint that decorates (spills) on my desk. It's work, straighten, poke around, receive product, then reorganize so I can work again. I love it🤪

Jonathon Herring
Way to go Mona. I think you have gotten more done in the past couple of weeks than I did in about 3 months👍

Bill Newcomer
Have the decals I sent arrived yet?

Mona
Hi Bill no they haven't not yet ..it's been soggy and windy lately been checking the mail box ,so I could catch them before they got soaked

Mona
Jonathon I been looking at this for months wondering if I could even paint one stripe ..still much to do

Bozzer
Mona, a friendly tip :
Bleed is created by a poor seal on tape.
Bind your edges with a blunt, but solid tip. The edge of a paintbrush, can work.
Now, shoot it with clear coat.
That will seal any secret gaps!
Then, blow over your colour.
Count to seven, then blow again.
These should be light coats, I might add!
Eventually, build up to the colour you want, but you have to give it more time, between coats.
Eventually, you'll have a smile, as wide as the Grand Canyon 🙂

Mona
@ Bozzer I appreciate the tip: many aspects of which I did apply ..but I might Add the Bleed may also be caused by the application of a: Poor quality tape b: the Incorrect type of tape . as it has been in this case. the first stripe ..the red one was first taped and the base painted with a brush ....the second stripe green was done with the air brush ...with the cheap tape from the "hobby lobby" . I purchased a better type tape yesterday ..taped it out again and shot the Red stripe the second time ...also I'm using water based acrylics on this build , and they are very light & air dried between coats.. not yet done 🙂

Bozzer
If I'm honest, the tape I use, is just ordinary masking tape. I tried tamiya and found it to be rubbish. The only thing I use tamiya tape for now, is spacing, to create lines. Then, I mask upto the tamiya tape, and remove it.

Jonathon Herring
@ Bozzer is this one of those "how do you keep a moron in suspense" things?🤷 Cause, you go me hooked (not a haha Herring;f fish; hooked pun. Yet it works😏) What tape do you use? Frog? Blue 3M? Memorex? Please, Bozzer, Please tell us. Also, should we pay attention to the man behind the curtain?

Bozzer
@Jonathon. I use the cheap dollar store stuff. Granted, some of it can be sketchy. I usually buy a roll, then tear off a strip, and see how it comes off? The glue has to be even across the width, and not patchy? I also stick it on my cutting mat, to mark it out. The advantage of doing this is, when you remove it, and apply it to the model, you know exactly where to place it. Also, you can buy this tape in various widths, so it's awesome for doing murals etc. However, I don't keep the tape forever, because I find that it welds to itself, over time? So I always buy a new roll, every 6 months or so. It's only a dollar, right?

Mona
@ Bill decals arrived today intact Thank you very much 😉 👍

Bozzer
@Bill. Nice work mate 👍

Bill Newcomer
Glad I could help. 🙂

Bozzer
Hey Mona!
Nice to see you, glue sniffing again 🙂
Are you calling this done?

Mona
lol , no Bozzer it's still not complete ,couple things to do yet ...soon

Bozzer
I was trying to find you some better mirrors, than the kit ones, but so far, I've drawn a blank? However, I'm sure that a skilled modeller like you, already has something up their sleeve? The kit ones, well....

Mona
agreed the kit ones are not the greatest but ..they are the last items on the punch list, not done till the mirrors are on and the pic is posted 🙂

Bill Newcomer
The kit mirrors are very finicky but can be made to work. I had the privilege of getting 4 of them built in the same week.

Martin Oostrom
Mirror mirror on the wall, who builds the nicest trucks of all?

Mona
humm...not me lol ,there are so many talented builders on scalemates that are my inspiration , Bill N managed 4 mirror's in the same week ..I'll be lucky to achieve one pair, I'm hoping to get the windows in and interior secured in place ..and cab on for the final time this weekend ....but I shall consult My Mirror and get back to you 🙂

Martin Oostrom
Yeah, Bill did an awesome job in extending this kit into a tri-axle. But this livery that you're building has the 'it' factor for me. But I'm a sucker for white/red/green

Bozzer
Bill, AKA The Mirror Machine!
If I was to attempt that kit again, I'd certainly source different mirrors. I made a template to hold them in their fitted position, but that didn't work. Eventually, with much perseverance, I managed to get them on, over a couple of days, only for them to fall off, in the next couple of weeks! I thought about it, and maybe a couple of matching holes, to locate the V brackets, would help? However, I got sick of looking at the thing, and it remains "as is"
If I'm honest, after the nightmare I had with it, especially the cab, I just settled for how it turned out? We've all had that kit, that fought you, in every direction? Well, this one, was definitely mine. I gotta add though, for people reading this, that all my issues were cab related. The chassis went together, almost amazingly well. I've seen these kits, built beautifully, but mine was a pig.

Mona
I'm to the point now ,just a few lenses ..that front license plate holder and then they will be last, these kits from old tooling are a challenge..but with some patience(time), this thing has been sitting on the desk staring at me waiting ..for me to get past those silly horns and running(marker) lights, I was into the Mig 29 build and I thought I must finish the CF project, I surprised I got beyond the "seem from hell" ..I will post new pic .. it looks nice without those mirrors so far but not complete 🙂