Kenworth Aerodyne

Hi guys, this build uses the section that I cut out of the cab that I used in the Comet Overnight Kenworth. I was going to do this cab first but decided to have a trial run making the narrow cab first.

This is it with the extra piece added. You can still see the join marks. I'll give these a bit more attention later. Whilst talking to Mutley at Checkmates one day, he mentioned that he had the plans and measurements needed to cut the cab to bring the aero roof forward like it is on Aussie trucks. Theses are the pencil lines you can see on the roof.




The plans actually show how to cut the cab down from approx 101 inch (I think) down to 86 inch but I want to keep the cab long so I didn't cut the sides. You  do have to make 2 cuts, the whole section comes out and then the extra piece from the front is cut out so that the window section can be moved forward. Auslowe now make a resin cab at 86 inches with the aero roof correct for Aussie trucks.



This is where it's going to sit. Because I used the other bits to make the Comet truck, I don't have a piece to fill the gap with so I'll have to fill it with plastic and putty.



Fair bit of cleaning up to do here. Hope to get some upgrade pieces for this at the Wagga show from Auslowe. Things like the air intake system, front quarter panels and headlight upgrade etc. Hoping to find a triaxle tow body for this like off the re released Peterbilt but intend to cut it back to a bogie drive rather than the tri.

Interesting looking Kenworth in the making.

Thanks Al. Still not sorted on colours or anything yet, probably go with a traditional Kenworth style of stripes but it may depend on how I can get it to flow onto the body. Not sure if I should go with round tanks and the old round tube style bullbar or go more modern with square tanks etc which may suit the wrecker body better???

Just looked at the Auslowe one nice but will pass on it Thinking on starting to build up a SAR Kenworth that I have been putting off for years now.
Paint it in the Comet colours.

If the SAR goes ahead Al, I'll see what Comet decals I have left from my build and Ill send them up to you. Let me know what else you need.

Deaf As, still thinking on colours for SAR will be a day cab & a tray top.

Very cool, I now use Tamiya's photoetch .05 saw blades for all my cuts instead of the back of a #11 blade, I have just cut the doors out on my AMT K100 Aerodyne & the panel fit is perfect and next to no clean up. I'll be watching your progress on this one.

I'll keep my eyes open for some of those blades. Have been thinking about opening the doors so I might give it a go - what could go wrong??

what could go wrong?? [/quote]
That's what I thought too but I took my time and it worked out perfect, now to fit the Model Car Garage piano hinges - what could go wrong? LOL. On the down side of this, I have to rebuild the interior & that's a more daunting task than cutting out doors.

can't wait to see this all done

Would like to see some pics of how it's shaping up Yahshu. I do have a spare resin RH dash if you need it - no charge. Have done some filling so will put a pic up soon.

Thanks for the offer of the rhd dash, greatly appreciated. I'm building the BJ & the Bear rig so no rhd dash needed. What are you using to post pics please now that photobucket has hijacked all my old pics.

I just pull the memory card out of the camera, stick it in the side of the computer and download the pictures into a file on the computer. Then I just use the 1st button in the 4th box above to bring the picture across. I live out of town in an apparent technology black hole and every time the kids try to load flickr or photobucket before the hijack, it just kept dropping out so this is all I have!!

Thanks for the info, worked perfectly https://ozautobuilders.forumotion.com/t6039-1-25-bj-the-bear-wip-update-7-7-12#119634

I have filled the gap with scrap plastic and done a little putty and sanding work but there is a long long way to go. Have to repair the frame for the quarter window as well. I might try to put some small windows in the sides of the sleeper section somewhere if I can find something suitable in the spares box. Not sure if I should sand off some of the vents as well?

Haven't had much time at the desk lately but did manage to pick up a few things at the Wagga show.



Nigel from Auslowe got me a partially built wrecker body and he also had all the upgrade bits I wanted. As you can see, I'm going to have to stretch the chassis a fair bit to get it all to fit.In the gap between the cab and body, I still have to fit the front box of the wrecker where the front stabilisers live and the aircleaners and exhaust system for the truck  It probably needs another 15 to 20mm to fit it in. Given how long it is going to be, I think I might leave it as the tri drive and twin steer it as well to give it a heavy duty look and help fill the gap under the cab. Need to get a third drive axle so might cut one out from the Revell Blue Circle Kenwoth. It is different but under the wrecker body it should be ok. Still not sure if I should push the bogie to the back and add the extra one in front of it or just tack it on behind
P.S Does anyone know if Kenworth get the cab measurement  from front to back externally  or  what? From front to back I think this scales out at about 143 inches - maths is not my strong point!!

Thats going to be one long wrecker.

So I was in the local Auto 1 shop the other day and came across a filler I hadn't tried before so I gave it a go.




It was a thin filler that spreads nicely but only does thin coats. This is the first go and sand back. I gave it a prime to see how it was coming up. Needs another go but so far so good. Gave the tow body and chassis a hit while I was at it . A bit more patching needed on the chassis than I'd hoped but anyway.......





Turns out that there are a few parts missing from the tow body so I've had to scratch build a few. It seems to be missing the chrome sprues - no door handles, lights, beacons etc .

So with 72.5mm of rain on Saturday, Sunday was spent at the bench. I went back over the cab with the filler and hopefully have all the 'rough' bits covered. The rest of the time was spent repairing the chassis (where possible). Had to make a few bits, patch up a few and pinch some from the spares box. It's not 100% accurate but it's going to be hidden under the tow body so I think it'll do.





I used the chassis offcuts from the Peterbilt logger to lengthen behind the existing drive  for the third axle. It'll be a lazy axle , mainly because I couldn't get the rear axle out to modify it for the jack shaft without major surgery, so I didn't worry. The chassis still needs to be lengthened for the tow body but I'll do that in front of the drive.

should of checked in here sooner Tim, I think I have the roof cut out from my one. on the tri axle from that kit the front axle is a lazy one. keep sandin buddy you'll get there

Thanks mate, taking a little longer than I'd hoped but does actually look a little better each time, especially if you stand way back and squint!

may have a light bar out of the Dodge kit if you want one.

Wouldn't mind if you did Al. Many thanks.

Just found light bars still want one.