GMC Astro rebuild......Finishing the trailer

[gator]

I like the use of the double for a longer trailer!
Moving has a way of breaking things. I know I have a whole bunch of models that need to be rebuilt after moving to the Islands.

Be Well
Gator

[slurrydog]

Looking good.
Dave

[78kw]

Thanks everyone. I thought I would have some progress tonight but bumped into setbacks.

[78kw]

I didn't forget about this one. Many things got in the way, but I have made some progress.

This was done just after my last post. I just could not get the AMT steering axle to cooperate with me during modification. the Astro now sports a Revell AG Pete 359 steer axle. The wheel mounting plates are from the Astro.






The dashboard was cleaned up and upgraded. I added the trailer brake handle and put some Future on the gauges to simulate the "glass" though hard to see in this pic. I also added a tachograph which was cut from the dashboard of an Ertl International 4270.


..and for our first mockup. Still one or two more coats of white for the cab before it's done. I did the bumper in black.


From the rear. I weathered the frame and wheels using various powders, but the flash and lighting seem to mask that fact. If you look at the flaps you'll see I'm going with Metro Freight System as the carrier. Not sure if they existed or if AMT made up the name.


I'll post more when I can.

[ap40rocktruck]

Nice rebuild. There was / might still be Metro Freight Systems in VA. Here is a link to some reference to them on Hank's site. hankstruckforum.com/htforum/index.php?topic=16779.0

Ap40

[78kw]

I've been playing catch up with this one since I pulled it out of my "in progress" storage spot. Re-attaching fallen and broken parts, etc. I'm just about done with the cab. I remembered to add the "glass" for the rear windows this time. I kept looking at my frame and thought the square tanks just seemed too big for a daycab. Inspired by this reference photo: public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/truck_brochures/chevrolet/chevrolet-titan-90-1970/titan-74-04.html I made a change. I used the optional round tanks included in the kit and cut them down. I'm liking how they look even though they're just mocked up for now. I also shaved off much of the raised sections molded onto the Astro kit's frame rails that serve as guides for installing various parts.







It feels good to be back at the bench again.

[jimb]

Nice looking Astro, Ray. Did you shorten the frame any?

[78kw]

Thanks Jim. I did shorten the frame a little bit.

[gatorincebu]

Ray,
Good choice on the fuel tanks. Those look much better!



Be Well
Gator

[78kw]

I'm so very close to being done so I figured I would post a quick mockup. All that's left is to actually mount the cab(just sitting on frame for pix), and do some final detailing and touch up.







It feels good to be so close to the end.

[78kw]

Finished at last.

[78kw]

I started to go forward on the trailer. Everything came from the kit except for the center spring hanger between the front and rear springs. That part, which is the gray and black part, came from a Wilson livestock trailer suspension. It closely matches the center spring hanger from amt's Trailmobile moving van kits. After comparing the springs to other tandem axle trailer suspensions I have, I used the springs which are meant for the converter dolly. They are shorter in length. I cut the kit's trailer springs from the frame rails and saved them for another project.



I started on the air lines.


The wheels came from an amt Trailmobile moving van kit.

[78kw]

It's almost done. Here are a few shots.







Wheels are from the Trailmobile moving van kit.


I still have a little detail painting and some other minor things to do, but it's pretty close now. Thanks for looking.

[gothic021]

Nice job on the rebuild