Kenworth W900
By Chris Eve

Click on image to view large version.

After a fairly long break from 1/24 scale trucks, this was built as a quick project to get back into the swing of things.

The Kenworth is based on the Revell Australian truck kit, which was given to me by a fellow modeller. As it is the Australian version this kit already supplies a right hand dash and floor pan. I therefore decided to make an Anglicised Kenworth, in the form of a restored import.

The chassis and suspension were built per the instructions before being given a coat of Halfords Matt Black, followed by a coat of Plasti-kote Super-Enamel Gloss Black for a semi-gloss finish. I then built the kit engine, which is based on the Caterpillar 3408 600hp V8. I added a few pipes for detail before priming and spraying it Halfords Signal Yellow. The exhaust manifolds and turbo-charger were picked out with a paint mix of metallic grey, matt black and rust. The pulley belts were picked out in matt black. Finally the engine was lightly weathered with Tamiya weathering powders.

The sleeper box was made up and this, along with the cab shell and bonnet were sprayed with several coats of Plasti-kote Super-Enamel Black and dried in the hot sun for a high gloss finish. The interior tub was made up, sprayed matt black, and the leather walls and seats painted matt blue. The glazing was fitted to the cab shell, and some side windows made from clear acetate, before the interior was slid inside and secured with the firewall. The grille was given a thin wash of matt black for depth, before being fitted to the hood. The completed hood, cab and sleeper pod were then secured to the chassis.

The fuel tanks, exhaust stacks and rear wings (supplied with the kit) were de-chromed with oven cleaner before being resprayed with Plasti-kote chrome silver, along with a set of Italeri wheels. I used the Australian spec fuel tank on the nearside, and the original shorter Kenworth fuel tank on the offside. Eventually I plan to fit a chassis locker on the offside between the rear wing and fuel tank.

A rear light bar from a Peterbilt Alaskan hauler was fitted, and the chassis plated with chromed Don Mills treadplate. A susie gantry from the Italeri 720 accessories kit was fitted with susies made from telephone wire.

KFS flush marker lights were fitted, and some lights from the Alaskan hauler on the sleeper box. The Alaskan Hauler air-con unit was fitted to the cab roof, topped with a spare pair of bullet lights from a Heller Scania 141. The original Kenworth bullet lights and air-horns were fitted.

There will be more articles from Chris at a future date.
Mick

Southern Expo 2009 Review
By Mick Lomax

My visit to Southern Expo was on the Sunday as this is the day when the competitions are held. So I cannot say how things were on Saturday, but from what I had heard, it was quite busy on that day.

This was my second visit to Southern Expo and it was nice to return there again this year. The layout in the hall was good, with the trade stand mainly situated around the hall walls and the club stands in islands. The usual traders on the show circuit like Hannants, Mr Models, Littlecars, etc. were there bringing their variety of kits, paints and other modelling assessories. I also came across a new trader specialising in automotive modelling called SNC Hobbies. But I will speak more about them in the next newsletter

The competition rooms were set up in two squash courts in a corridor just off the main hall which could all be viewed from a balconyseperating them. The competition had the usual selection of classes from aircraft through armour, automotive to figures and dioramas. And the quality of models entered was of a high standard as usual.

On the displays in the main hall, the workmanship and quality of the models was to the high standard that you expect to see in these shows. Some of the clubs had a themed display, whilst other clubs just like to show off their members creations. There was just not enough time in the day for me to chat and catch up with everyone that I would of liked too. But I did manage to take a few photgraphs whilst I was wondering around. So here's a few from the hall and competition areas.

Click on image to view large version.

SNC Hobbies

During my visit to Southern Expo this year, I came across a new trader which specialises in automotive modelling. In their range of stock, I found the usual model kits that you expect to find. But it was the detailing items that I was directed to by my friend Danny. He told me about the pre-wired distributors that they stocked, so I just had to have a look.

Unlike other distributors that are on the market, these ones are molded plastic and come in various coloured caps and wire. They come in four, six and eight cylinder versions (which I brought four of myself) and are manufactured by Morgan Automotive Detail (M.A.D.). The quality of these distributors are very good and the caps represent the correct shape of most of the type that you will find in use.

Also to my delight, SNC stock Gibson Engines and I could not resist buying the Ford Sidewinder 427 (for one of my new shape Mustangs), at a very reasonable price too. Other manufactures stocked include R&D Unique, Detail Master, Model Car Garage and Missing Link. And the list goes on. So for better idea of what is in stock, go to their website and discover what you might need for yourself. Type in the address below or click onto it. Another link is on my Links Page.

www.snchobbies.co.uk

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Shows for April

Shropshire Model Show
Sunday 5th April
RAF Museum, Cosford

Doors Open: 10am to 4pm.

Hinckley Model Show
Sunday 19th April
Hinckley Leisure Centre
Coventry Road
Hinckley
LE10 0JR

Doors Open: 10am to 4pm.