How do you like your stakes sir?

[Riograndad]

I found this kit for a great price,just over 20 quid,due to a lack of space a tractor and semi trailer would be just too big so what could be done with it?As a new freight depot is in the pipeline I wanted to blend the two together so a big stakebed would possibly be the way to go.Some research was done and I ended up with this little beastie as for the build itself,the chassis was built as the kit,the only change really was removing the sleeper floor,engine as per the kit too and the exhaust system was modified to use only one stack,the cab and sleeper is in one moulding, the sleeper was removed using a sharp knife,then styrene sheet was used to blank the rear of the cab,the interior cab section had the bunk which was also removed and then the interior was modified slightly to fit the new cab shape.Before I started I was sure that nearly if not all the chrome would go,two reasons,1, the truck will be out in all weathers so the chrome will fade anyway and 2,being a workhorse maybe for lets say an oil or mine co driving over dirt roads to get to the work locations,dont need no chrome!!! The headlights were replaced from the double square to single lens(also makes her look a little older)As for the stakebed body,styrene strip 100 x 188 for the horizontals and 125 x 100 made the verticals with some wood grain effect,the floor is laminated styrene sheet,also woodgrained,splashshields were made for the front set of rear wheels,The truck is all painted out using matt colours,then decals added,rattlecan satin varnish (after masking off the  windshield wiper arcs)then a "dust" weathering to finish off Now just gotta find a home for it!!!

 

[nicebutdim]

Very good, I really like that and it looks just 'right'

 

[trammayo]

Very nice - and great thinking "outside the box"!

 

[PhilP]

You wouldn't think it came out of the same box!

 

[Deleted member 1986]

Now that is cool! 8) Well done that man, been having a real quandary of late on suitable vehicles for a proposed factory/ siding idea, got the old grey matter thinking!

 

[viaEstrecha]

What a great job - you've aged it so well and of course I am a sucker for mucky trucks so I duly drooled! I have a little fleet of Revell lorries (which as you have indicated, can sometimes be picked up for a very fair price) and it is huge fun to adapt them to suit your own location and period. Yours is a great inspiration and I was interested to learn that you will be leaving it outside - not sure I am brave enough to do that yet

 

[stockers]

Excellently dusty.

 

[Northsider]

So much better than the original kit -the lack of chrome makes it look like a real workhorse.

 

[pugwash]

Grime. I like grime

 

[beavercreek]

Excellent job Rio.
I like big rigs and have a few for different parts of the layout.
Quite a few of the rigs are diecast and were a little pricey so I am reluctant to weather those ones but they do look too clean!

 

[Riograndad]

Thanks for the replies,I find it hard to find 1:25 die cast hence the plastic kits,some 1:32 about,ideal for 1;29 railroads but tooo small for us narrow boys,although saying that 1;25 is a little small.I don't want to spend a great deal as mine stay outside,so this kit just over 20quid suited me just fine bought a 68 Charger(as in Bullitt movie)and a 40 Ford pick up at the same time,so those to mess with,,,,,,,,and about 18months ago I got the Route Master bus kit,not for railway,just for display, it's been on top of the wardrobe unopened much to the disgust of SWMBO since I got it,last excuse was, "will do it during the winter"suppose now I will have to tell her ,"when it get's too hot to run outside in the summer"