Truck Fleet Restoration
Restoration of 4 Revell & 1 Mitsuwa 1980s Trucks

Bill Newcomer
I am jealous. My builds from my teens I wish I still had. When my Brady Bunch family broke up, they got sent to the dumpster. I had built about 6-7 trucks with trailers by that point.

Chaz Gordon
I had Four main kits that I needed to replace that disappeared somewhere among a half dozen house moves. I managed to buy all four this year. Unfortunately, three of them were Tamiya 1/12 cars, and one Revell 1/12. But now I have the pleasure of building them to my new capabilities and significantly higher patience level.

Bozzer
I'm keeping an eye on this too. I wish I still had my old trucks, from when I was a kid. Luckily, I can still get most of them. Problem is now, I can afford the trailers too! So I'll hang on the side and stick around for the ride, 10-4!

Danny Meer
Very cool that you still have them, will follow your quest 🙂

Tim Heimer
Bozzer I can totally agree!

Chaz Gordon
Don't hold your collective breath, these are going to take some time. I have obtained complete untouched kits of each of the revell kits (or close enough) that I will be building alongside. The plan is to correct some of the kit's issues along the way, such as the hood hinges on the Petes, which don't open properly and the lack of limits or supports on the Kenworth Cabs, and it's going to be my first venture into alclad chrome too.

If I find I need to fabricate a part to fix an issue or replace missing parts, I will also be making my first forays into resin moulding. I really want to try and build something unusual from a couple of them, I have 4 standard Peterbilts, so I am planning to create a resin chassis for the triple axle version and the additional axles using some spare parts I have, mixed with some resin parts from the originals (ie extra suspension, wheels etc.

I also have in the loft the remains of the Revell car transporter trailer, which I believe I can convert and use as patterns to build a complete Cottrell transporter to take up to 11 cars.

In the stash is the rest of the Italieri Scania Wrecker that the wrecker body came from that will be reunited, the Scania Roadrunner tractor, The Revell Peterbilt fire truck (good extra spares source) 3 Revell K-100 Aerodynes, and 2 Revell Peterbilt 359s

Along the way, I am planning some ambitious stuff:

Alclad Candy over chrome
Alclad Candy over silver
Home made Resin parts
Silicone Tyres (The Late Revell Kenworths have perfect tyres, I want to try and make copies for all the fleet)
Custom printed Decals
Some LED lighting
Engine Detail up
Interior Detail up
Taking stuff apart and putting it back together
Fixing those busted axles
Chrome the original kit lacked (Lights, air stacks etc)
some scenery to display them on

It's going to take a while

Bozzer
Awesome news! I can tell you that its possible to spray Molotow chrome, which in my opinion, is the best chrome I've ever seen. However, I have noticed that it dulls, when you spray clear on top. But, a recent post on a group I'm in, suggested using a different clear for the chrome, because they had excellent results! So my friend, I suggest you experiment with that. Any help you require regarding LED lights, give me a shout. I'm more than happy to share a few tips. I applaud you on taking on this quest, you've got balls buddy. Best of luck.

Tim Heimer
This might help some auslowe.com.au/ I have bought many things from here and ebay. I have the set ups for about 8 rigs with custom cases, a forklift and a VW micro bus, plus aftermarket parts for most of the set ups with plans to light up a car carrier and a cop car. I know how the imagination just takes off with the stuff! I'll be watching I'm sure to see where yours takes you!

Bill Newcomer
I support your endeavor. I am also willing to advise you on LEDs and custom decals. I also recommend Auslowe parts. I just got an order not too long ago of a bunch of detail parts.

Bozzer
Hey Chaz. I'm curious. Are you going to build the Marmon, as an OOB Marmon?

Bob Hall
Looks like a scene from Smokey and the Bandit !

Chaz Gordon
Mostly they will all be ootb , minus the old tired decals that would be tough to replicate. I'll add some basic accessories of the type you'd buy in a truck stop. Maybe some interior details as these all have opening sleeper rooves.

I am planning on at least one Peterbilt triple drive, not sure if I'll convert one of these or one of the unbuilt kits I have..

Bozzer
Just as a side note, I also have the marmon and the original decals. I've also just sourced a mint set of Black Magic decals. And within the last hour, I've also secured a Revell 359 Fire truck too.

Chaz Gordon
Cool. I have an unbuilt black magic in the stash, so this one will be a different scheme. Is the Marmon the stars and stripes, or like the one I have here? If it's the same as mine above, wouldn't mind a scan of the original sheet so I can do something different, but get the turn points right.
The fire truck has a ton of spares in it, Oddly, they made a new chassis for it, instead of cutting the kit one, I say odd because the heavy haulers were an extension kit and you had to cut the chassis to fit it.

Sadly, the Fire truck doesn't have all of the excess parts, only those on sprues they used, I think it is missing a sleeper, which is a shame because I am planning an extended sleeper on one of these.

Bozzer
Chaz, there's a few guys selling sleepers etc, on eBay. I can confirm that a UK seller is currently selling a peterbilt 359 sleeper, unmade. I can't remember the price though. My Marmon is exactly that kit, not the latter stars and Stripes. The fire truck definitely excites me, not just for the spares, but because I got it for a bargain price too. Diorama in the future.

Chaz Gordon
Ordered Some alclad and the accompanying base and clear coats today. and of course, if I'm going to use one enamel paint, I may as well get some Candy finishes too. Then I remembered I was going to put in an order at another place for some colour shift paints. Then they had some other interesting stuff......

Short version - Today got quite Spendy.

Bozzer
Back in work today, well very shortly, tbh! First time since all this madness started, so I might be a little scarce. My spending has calmed down for now, until I build up the America fund again, but I'm not done yet. It's that gardening lark, that takes up too much of my time! Anybody have a friend who drives a concrete truck in Northern England???

Danny Meer
I hate gardening as well Bozz 😛 Have to much to keep all the weed away...
Have 3 gardens and a garage driveway 🙁 atm only my back garden looks okay, that's where I sit most of the time 😛

Bozzer
Danny, you cut the grass, I'll drink the beer? 😉

Danny Meer
I smoke grass Bozz 😄

Chaz Gordon
Oh, those Crazy Dutch!😉

Danny Meer
whahahaha 😛