Italeri Volvo Globetrotter XL

SPOILER ALERT: I have actually already finished this model but I took 'on-the-bench' photos of every step, and I thought people might be interested in something of a wip thread. I will not upload it all at once and try to keep you all in suspence to a big reveal. Plus, I hope to get proper 'completed' photos this weekend to post.



This is the actual kit:





Photo after step 2. The main chassis was painted Tamiya TS-94 Metallic Gray. Engine various shades of gray and 'metal'. The chassis is the two outer rails and many separate cross beams. Lots of holes that needed to be opened in the chassis rails, with many needing to be further opened or even new ones opened later in the build. First glue challenge, with rear of chassis held together with a twist tie during curing.





Step 3. Added the front axle, steering assemblyand 'brakes'. The steering was supposed the articulate in the end, but this got way to fiddly and did not end up happening.





Step 4: Read differential, drive shafft, air bags and suspension.





Step 5: Radiator and some hoses, parts of the exhaust/tubo system and an inner guard. Lots of random thing to hold parts in place here.





Step 6: More of the exhaust system, with actual exhaust out the left-hand side. A body panel had to be modified later in the build to clear the exhaust.





Step 7: Inner guard on the left-hand side and other storage containers and tanks. Lots of these colours were me taking complete artistic licence. Added support for the hitch toward rear of chassis.





Step 8: Hitch and rear wheel arches/guards added.





Step 9: Wheels on, fuel tank on right-hand side (held up with masking tape role) and tank to rear (stack of USB sticks as support!).





This is most of the chassis itself done. Next steps were interior and construction of the cabin, where the link between the instructions and my lived reality got extremely tenuous!



Grant.

The interior is esentially made in one step of the instructions; Step 10. I used a Kit Form Services (KFS) right-hand drive resin dash. A little bit of work to get it to fit correctly but good detail. The only issue was the kit grab handles for the dash - to aid entry and exit in the 1:1 - could not be fitted, but as these really cannot be seen in the final model I was not too worried. The interior also has a bunk and full head liner, with some nice detail which are never to be seen once assembled, that are added at the next step. Interior was painted various shades of grey from Tamiya TS and enamel pot range. The dash is quite visible in the final model, so there would be good scope for some customisation here; e.g. phone, GPS, old-school road atlas, etc.



Grant.

Step 11 assembles the the front (with windscreen and grill installed), sides and rear of the cabin. The roof lining of the interior is installed then the roof on top. This step was one of the trickiest in the build. I found aligning all pieces very difficult and there was very little overlap of parts for gluing. Additionally, given the natue of the contruction, all parts were painted, decalled and clear coated; no time for a mistake. You alsy need to think ahead about what sections of the 'inside' of the cab will be visible after final assembly. Furthermore, the front wheel arches and part for mounting the cab to the chassis are installed prior to this point, with the wheel arches providing something of a template for locating the sides. However these prevent the cab from resting flat on the desk, so some imagination is needed to create a stand while assembling and curing glue. Close inspection would reveal a few blemishes where the gluing was not as precise as ideal. Photo below somehwhat gives away the livery scheme.





Step 12 essentially mounts the cab to the chassis. I suspect if assembled correctly the cab would be able to flip forward the reveal the engine. Given I still fear my model would fall apart in a strong breeze I have never tried this. At least it looks like a truck now.

Very Nice VOLVO.

Thanks Allan. A very different kit for me, but happy with it in the end.

Up to this point it appears, with the way the cab is mounted to the chassis, that a brave person might be able to tilt the cab forward to expose the engine. I am not that brave person, as the cab is held together more by good luck than glue.

Step 13 adds the lower section of the front grille, which now essentially locks the cab in place. I think I made a mistake on the steps, as reference photos suggest these are usually body colour not semi-gloss black as I have done.


Step 14 adds details such as the air intake behind and above the cab, and the side "aero" pieces at the back of the cab and body panel between the front and rear axles down the right-hand side of the truck. This is where fitment of pieces became very.... aspirational. Lots of masking tape to hold pieces on place overnight as glue dried. Photo below has the roof aero piece being glued in place, though this piece is supposed to go on at Step 15.


Step 15 adds the remainder of the aero pieces and the body panel between the wheels on the left-hand side of the truck. Thankfully I test fit this piece prior to painting as it required significant opening of a hole to clear the exhaust. Would have been very annoying to do this after painting! This step also adds the visor over the screen and wing mirrors; all of which were hald in place with masking tape with glue dried. The light lenses on the roof add a nice touch.

And in the blink of an eye it is finished! I would be lying if I said I enjoyed my first truck build every step of the way, but I am pleased with the final result. This is one of those rare cases - for me anyway - where the finished article pretty much matches my original vision. Lots of pieces not quite fitting correctly, much more time than usual fitting and test fitting and checking again, many hours of reading the manual to interpret the at times vague instructions. But.... I found it very rewarding to see the truck come to life. The extra details in the frame chassis, engine and tanks etc over a standard 1/24 car model made the experience somehow more 'life-like' (not sure I am explaining that very well). I am still amazed there were no major catastrophes, so perhaps that is clouding my judgement.

Anyway, enough waffle. This last photo before the Completed thread gives an idea of the final model. A look at my thread on the Revell Transporter will reveal how the truck will be displayed eventually.