Volvo F12

Hi gents, going to use this kit to build a model of the truck I got my old class 5 license in. Having trouble loading a pic of the original - apparently it's the wrong file type so I'll probably take a photo of the photo! It'll be converted to RH drive, bogie rear end on 6 spoke rims, dual tanks and no aero kit. I'm hoping to use the bogie rear end off the F model Mack tow truck under this, more than likely have to deepen the chassis to match the Volvo front end.

bloody Volvo driver.........

Thanks Mutley, at least you recognised my skill as a driver. Most people aren't that kind!

So here it is. Dolled up for the Christmas parade down the main street. Taken Christmas 1988 or 1989 .This was the last year I think the parade happened after 50?+ years. The more people I ask the more confused the date becomes. Not doing the trailer and it did end up with front hub covers, driving lights and pin striping. LH fuel tank had 3 straps as the tank was split fuel/hydraulics.

Mmmmmm

Finally made a start on this one. The airbag rear end is from the madam butterfly, yellow 'Superliner' kit. It's a left over from the F model tow truck. The original truck had the lightweight Volvo spring suspension but this will do. There is a fair difference in chassis rail height between the rear end and Volvo chassis but I hope by cutting and shutting, the 2 will end up close enough. The engine is as per the instructions but needed a tidy up.

can't wait to see this one done

Finally got the 2 halves of this together. It wasn't a happy marriage by any stretch. The chassis rails were different heights and widths and the cross members were also different. I cut the cross member in the front (Volvo) end  and added strip to the top of the rear end to increase the rail height. I used a section of C channel  on the inside of the chassis to strengthen the joint. The cross member here was filed down to suit. I have sorted that twist in the chassis out as well. Guess work was used to sort the wheel base out. Still plenty of tweaking to go on the chassis

Look's like a bit of work.

Primed the chassis so that I could see if I needed to do more work on the joint between the 2 halves but it came up OK. The mounts for the quarter guards sit over most of the join which helps. The mounts are a little larger than I would normally be happy with but the back of the mounting rod on the guard is hollow so it was a major hassle to detail it up as normal. Used a set of mock up rims to work out guard position so that i could set up the tank brackets between them and the front guards. Still have to put the bracing between the tanks and front axle on. Just need to check I have enough flex in the chassis to slide the engine in with these on.



Auslowe rims and spiders. The front ones are ones I've had forever - cast in the old yellow resin! The rims are painted in Humbrol silver to represent the standard factory colour. I've done the spiders in satin black which is a better match to the finish it had after being in service for a while.



Every engine I found on the net for a colour reference seemed to be a slightly different shade to the next one so I just found a colour that seemed like the average and used it.

Looking forward to seeing the finished build mate .

Regards Tony.

Looking good Tim.
Like Tony said, Looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks guys, hope to get back to it soon.

Finally have the chassis done in satin black. The front guards will be done in flat black. Few more bits to pick out on the engine then it's right to go in, front axle on radiator and rear cab mounts then onto the cab.

Finally got a bit more done on this on this one. Wasn't happy with the paint on the front axle so it'll get a quick touch up then go on. Going to start on converting the floor pan to RH drive but have kept a few sub builds up my sleeve for when it becomes too much.

Wonder how this one was going, Looks good.

Front wheels have gone onto this and a bit more engine detail. pipes etc. Have been working on converting the floor pan to right hand drive.



A before shot probably would have been handy at this stage  but.............. Scratch built documents box and just used plastic for the main section. Once the centre unit is done, I'll work on swapping the instrument panel and glove box around.

Work is going forward very slowly on this. Dash conversion has been trickier than I thought trying to get things close to an original look. Have taken some short cuts but seeing the doors won't be open, I don't think it will matter. Fuel tanks are primed and have cut out the window in the back of the cab as per the 1:1 version. Will post some pics when the dash is together.

Update time finally!!!










Nothing out of the ordinary here. Tanks painted in Alclad and installed, rear flaps on, cab together and dash conversion coming along. The dash isn't 100% correct but it's close enough for me on this build.  Still need to sort out the positioning of the cab with the new floor pan in it - seems to be sitting to 1 side. The back axle also sits slightly off the ground - didn't get the chassis mash up quite right. Might be able to block up the front axle to compensate for it. The bottom cab trim that goes across the front of the cab under the grill needs to be repaired, was broken off in the box when I got the kit.

Looking good.

Thanks Al.