AMT White Freightliner-Updates-04/30

[KSaarni]

Bruce and Kari : I cant see either one of you guys images that you posted.

Fixed , the curse of Postimage.org !

- Kari

[speedgraflex]

Fixed. The one which pertains to AMT Kits was a concern... but sounds like you will have yourself a Freightliner brain trust to assist you.

Really do wanna see how resolve the blue....

[mustang1989]

Thanks for the link repair Bruce. I've been looking at this and a few other boo boo's that this kit has. The front tires are supposedly a problem area as they stick out from the wheel well too much. I'm either going to have to cut the front axle some or not install the front brakes. The cab is sectioned into a front half and a back half................presenting a nasty seam. The list goes on but I've started trying to remedy the problem by turning to my spare kit. I'll be doing a dry run on a total assembly of this truck without any paint just to see how to mitigate the problems that show up along the way.



Got the frame and suspension already assembled. The front axle is just lying on top of the leaf springs. I'll be working with this part to ensure the tires end up where they are supposed to. I'll look into that whole headlight ordeal when I get there. Dunno if I'll do anything with that or not yet.

[speedgraflex]

These may help; they may not. When I searched for builds, I felt this fella’s work was worth a peek:

[mustang1989]

Looks like it's the single drive model...................and..............it looks like the headlamp pockets are lower as well.

[speedgraflex]

I was afraid it would be of little help to you, Joe. I found a good in box review you probably have seen, but I like context especially on these kind of kits. It is the dual drive version.

Here goes:

http://chuckmost.wixsite.com/madhouse-m ... ive-Review

[mustang1989]

Thanks Bruce..............and I know that guy from over at Model Cars Magazine. Really good auto modeler and has a good attitude as well.

[speedgraflex]

Good! I wanted to contribute and better understand your project, Joe. I am excited and still wondering how you plan to resurrect Pactra sparkling lacquer stormy blue...

[mustang1989]

That's a good question Bruce. I'll get back to that one in a bit as I've got some ideas goin in my head right now concerning direction with this build.

Well...........among other little tidbits that I'll have about this tricky kit (along with some tricky instructions) is the fact that the cab rests will have to be installed at a later part of the build than what the instructions call for. At least that's what I'm finding. They interfere with the exhaust crossover pipe installation between the two exhaust stacks. They are called out in this photo:



For the most part it's going fairly well. This kit has ALOT of seam filling, mold lines and ejector pin marks to contend with. I've marked most everything with a black sharpie so they'll stand out boldly for reference points during the actual build. I'm sooooooo glad I'm taking the time to do the build up because I'm finding some faults with the instruction sheet in terms of where stuff actually goes and I'm hitting the problematic areas with no fear of screwing anything I've painted/ detailed up.

Here's where I'm at right now. I may have to cut the crossover pipe in two in order to install it but that's ok. Again.......I'll know about this before hand with the actual build.

[speedgraflex]

Your work will pay off, Joe. That is a good tip about marking ejector pin holes; that will really help keep your head clear to focus on fitting issues. Another point you made about the instructions hits as well, as I have an older kit on the bench. Quality of instructions or standards of instructions do seem to be different with older kits.

One question—I have been running searches on Pabst Freightliners from the Seventies—I have not found images of any actual Pabst Freightliners. I imagine this was a pretty well documented truck.

Good luck with further fittings!!!