Western Star Wild Cat

[90redsc]

here is another italeri kit I spent several years puttering with before I completed her. This is Italeri's Western Star Constellation kit. I love the looks of the 1:1 truck and thought this kit would be a joy to build. It was until I got to the final assembly stages and discovered the hood to cab fit was the worst I have ever seen on any model. There is a gap of at least 1/4 inch between the cowl and the cab assembly that cacnnot be remeided without me first pulling the whole cab and front frame apart to modify the hood hinges. I should have mocked up the project before I just started gluing the final subassemblies together. Hard lesson learned.
With the exception of that major setback, the rest of the kit was a blast to build. I also built the venerable Livestock trailer from AMT to be pulled along behind this truck. There is some weathering on the trailer, but nothing excessive.

[animal]

This is one of the trucks you don't want to be behind. Very good example

[jim]

Great photos, Are there two shades of blue, or do the parts in shadow look different? I havn`t been brave enough to try graded colours yet - but I`m going to have a go very soon. Jim

[90redsc]

Actually Jim, that's the pearl in the paint I sprayed onto that truck. It was painted True Blue Pearl Metallic paint. The pearl really comes out on the larger surfaces vs. the small panels of cars.