How many guys here build Tractors (Semis)? I built an old Kenworth kit from the TV series Movin’ On and now I seem to have gotten a bug. But, they’re hard to find! Does anyone also know of aftermarket stuff for them as well?
A few of the old AMT semi kits are being re-issued, the Chevrolet Astro earlier this year, a Freightliner COE and International conventional later this year. Hopefully they will be doing a few more next year too. They have also re-issued some of the trailers.
Model round up still has some of the Stevens and Model King reissues from past years, a couple Macks, an Autocar, Ford C900 and Louisville snowplow.
STS has books, kits and aftermarket stuff for truck models
http://www.stsmodeltrucks.com/
AITM is a good aftermarket source particularly if you like older trucks
Sourkrauts Model trucks is another
http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/
KFS has some nice stuff, their chain binders are nice for a flatbed or low boy trailer.
http://www.kitformservices.com/
I’ve bought stuff from all of the listed venders and have always had good service.
Thank you for the great site info! I’ve bookmarked them for further review and use! If it weren’t for their slightly expensive price tag, I probably would be buying them all of the time!!! I like to create my own decals. My last one was a Kenworth Conventional I called “Swamp Donkey”.
You are welcome, big trucks are a bit of a niche market, there is a lot of stuff out there but it can be hard to find, its not cheap either. [:)]
Revell did a snap kit Peterbilt 359 that was re-issued a year or two ago, and the have a Kenworth coming later this year. Obviously since it is not out yet, I haven’t seen the KW but I have the Peterbilt and it is a nice kit. Don’t let the snap kit part turn you off thinking there is no detail, the detail is not bad. They are only $25 or so, making them a nice cheap project.
I’m building a Revell 1:25 scale Peterbilt 359 right now. Not the snap kit… I’m not building it “by the book” so to speak however. While the truck for the most part is going together by the directions, I’m doing a lot of scratchbuilding stuff for it and customizing quite a bit.
Check it out if you like.
/forums/1176390/ShowPost.aspx
It’s coming along and I think I’m on the home stretch. Trucks are definitely a fun topic though!
I also believe that Model Truck and Fire Apparatus is still in business.
I haven’t built any, so I can’t comment about the quality, but Italeri makes a decent range of modern trucks. http://italeri.com/SelezioneProdotti.aspx?CAT=TRUCK
I get a lot of my kits from Model Express. Dennis has a great selection of trucks (and a heap of other auto kits) Take a look and see what you think.
Yes it is, but under the name American Industrial Truck Models, the link is listed above.
The owner of MTFACO sold the company a few years back, and the new owner changed the name at that time. He also has been going through and remastering the molds to improve the quality.
I recently built the Italari American 48 foot reefer trailer. It has great detail, my biggest complaint was they did not include a fuel tank for the reefer motor. They also cast the floor, both sides and the roof in 2 pieces. It took me awhile to putty the seam and sanding it down so it looks like the parts were made together. Over all, I like the kit. It looks great.
Check out the Mack Cruiseliner (from AMT) and the Reefer here.
http://s734.photobucket.com/albums/ww348/greentracker98/Mack%20Cruiseliner/