Global Scale Modeller

Ok, I'm taking a risk here...

I'm really an aircraft modeller, but have enjoyed trying a few new modelling challenges recently, and am just starting another by building my first truck kit. What could go wrong?!

This is the kit, a new tooling Iveco Starlis:



The parts look fairly nice and the engine went together without much fuss.







One of the nice things about this project is that I'm doing the truck 'factory-fresh' so there is minimal weathering for a change. I just used some dry-brushing and a wash on the radiator to bring out the detail.

Anyway, look forward to keeping you updated. Unless it all goes very wrong and is consigned to the shelf of doom!

that's a cool truck there buddy. I've been thinking of trying my hand at some automotive subjects as well.
I'm gonna keep my eye on this.

Hey awesome,I remember you asking about which truck to buy
Glad to see you got going on one, the engine looks to be detailed well
Keep posting us the WIP pictures

Twokidsnosleep wrote:I remember you asking about which truck to buy

Yeah, I was really grateful for all the advice. It was a bit of a mine field with so many re-boxes of really old kits. This Revell kit is actually a re-box of an Italeri kit, but only from 2013, and I'm happy with the quality.

If I may suggest, try a pin wash into the silver areas of the engine to give her a bit more real look vs new plasticky; it will blow you away when you try it
I used some stuff like this (not my picture btw)

This is a pic of my F40 WIP engine with a wash on it


Not trying to be a critical jerk, just think we "road vehicle" sorts should one up the tank builders at their own weathering game...or at least steal their techniques
There are lots of products to try Mig, Tamiya, artist oil paints etc
Here is another link for product review
http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/revi ... 57&Type=TR

Engine finished, I moved on to the chassis. This model is going to build up to be quite a size! There was a fit issue which needed some minor surgery. It was really my fault, but I'm blaming Revell's instructions!





The engine was then installed and proved a good fit.







Thanks for looking, more updates soon.

Well, in the excitement of getting a new phone, I forgot to transfer some of the pictures of my progress, so nothing showing the slightly precarious process of heating up a scalpel blade with a lighter to melt some of the front axel parts rather than gluing them! The result of this is that with both axels now installed, there is working steering.





One of my (many) perennial modelling problems is doing metallic work. I've tried buffables, but they're hard to seal in and peel terribly if you mask them. I would use Alclad, but I don't have an extractor. I've recently been using Vallejo Model Air which have a good range of colours, but I had real problems with lumps of paint spitting out the airbrush, ruining the finish, and then clogging it up. I don't know if this was dried paint coming out of the bottle or a reaction with something, but it wasn't good. Anyway, I'm now trying Tamiya. It's early days, but I'm reasonably happy with the finish on the fuel tank.



This was then added to the chassis along with the front wheel arches painted in Tamiya X-13 Metallic Blue which I will use for the main colour of the truck. It's not the same blue as is called out for, which is much darker, but I like it, and that's good enough for me!





That's all for this update. I'm going to have to leave the chassis there for a little bit as I've run out of XF-24 which is the main colour I've been using, and have only just got a big (for me!) eModels order in. I'm guessing I'm not alone in ordering more stuff so the postage seems worth it! Maybe another online model shopping spree wouldn't hurt. I do need that £1.40 bottle of XF-24...

In the mean time, I'll start on the cab interior. Thanks for looking!

Fantastic work so far. She's gonna be a big girl!

Being a big truck mechanic I have to say...I love this build! I am not too familiar with European trucks,but if you need any technical info let me know.

Awesome! I like the factory fresh theme

Hillbilly wrote:Being a big truck mechanic I have to say...I love this build! I am not too familiar with European trucks, but if you need any technical info let me know.

Cheers, mate, I might well need your help at some point, I haven't got a clue! I did look at some kits of American trucks, but this one is big enough, I can imagine they'd be monstrous!

fly1ngdutchm4n wrote:Awesome! I like the factory fresh theme

I'm glad you do, it's making a really nice change of pace.

Just a small update from me again. Working on the interior, the console went together nicely with a decal for the dials etc. One thing I wasn't sure about was the funky design on the seats. These were supplied with decals, and in the end they conformed nicely and I'm really glad I used them to break up the monotony of the grey interior.



Some dry fitting again shows what a lump this thing will be!



And here she is glued together, although not to the chassis:



The exterior of the cab is made up of completely separate panels, I'm guessing so they could release different versions of this truck, which both Revell and Italeri have done using the same base kit parts. This means I will probably paint them separately to get a finish I'm completely satisfied with before the final assembly. Before that, though, I've had a re-stock of paint which means I can finish the chassis which I'll aim to show in my next update.

Thanks for checking my build out!

Those seats are amazing!
I used to be a European truck driver myself, it's always nice to see these trucks.
Great kit, keep it up!

Looking good, great progress!

Thanks for the comments, guys. Really enjoying this one!

So, after a couple of weeks where I haven't been able to do anything, it's good to be back at the bench and smelling the extra thin. Not in a weird way, obviously!

I started by completing a few final bits of the chassis. I know I wanted to make a factory fresh model, but I do think the almost immaculate fifth wheel (is that what it's called?!) looks a bit strange, so I still might dirty it up with some black pigment.





Then it was on to the outside panels for the cab. These were primed black, then costs of Tamiya X-13 metallic blue were gently built up. It took quite a while and the whole bottle of paint thinned 50:50, but I'm please with the finish. Everything was then sealed with Alclad Aqua Gloss sprayed at a low pressure with heavy coats from close in with the airbrush to try and get it as glossy as possible. I'm going to leave everything to cure for a few days to make sure it's rock-hard and to prevent any possible whiting from the decaling.





Next up where the rubber tyres. The rims were stuck down with frog tape to hold them all still and sprayed chrome. I generally like rubber tyres, but these ones had to be cut from a sprue which left a mark. Fortunately these were on the opposite side to the detailed outside walls, so it doesn't matter all that much.





With the wheels on, it's starting to look the part.







As ever, thanks for checking out my progress.

Wow, great looking rolling chassis!!!
You are progressing nicely

Love it
That metallic blue is awesome!

Looking good got a few trucks to do myself, keep up the great work

How did you deal with the tyre problem ?

Awesome, incredible detailing.

michaeld4500 wrote:How did you deal with the tyre problem ?

Badly! The tyres wall detail was only on one side of the tyre, which fortunately was the opposite side to where the damage was done taking of the mould (good thinking Revell!) I smoothed it out with a sanding sponge, not wanting to use anything more abrasive, which made it look a little better. To be honest, though, you really can't see it anyway as it's hidden on the inside, so it's not too much of a problem. A case of 'out of sight, out of mind' if ever there was one!

Thanks for your comments, guys.

Progressing with the body work a bit. The large decals add great detail, but didn't go down perfectly smoothly with micro sol and set. When this happens, I use X-20A which is more aggressive, and did the trick here.



I'm pleased with the result.





Next I started on the glazing. I used Tamiya X-19 Smoke to tint the sunroof.



I then came to remove the windscreen and put a dirty great crack in it!



It doesn't show up too well in the photo, but trust me, it's a write off! Revell are sending a replacement, which is very good of them, but it could take 8 weeks. Looks like this project might be on hold for a while!

Bad luck that
How do you use the X20 on the decals??

Twokidsnosleep wrote:How do you use the X20 on the decals??

Just like applying a normal setting solution - paint it on, leave it while it wrinkles up the decal and you think 'oh my God, what have I done!' and then it will settle down. As with micro sol and set, you just have to resist the temptation to meddle with it while it's working its magic!

Ads24 wrote:

Twokidsnosleep wrote:How do you use the X20 on the decals??

Just like applying a normal setting solution - paint it on, leave it while it wrinkles up the decal and you think 'oh my God, what have I done!' and then it will settle down. As with micro sol and set, you just have to resist the temptation to meddle with it while it's working its magic!

I just learned something useful
Thanks a ton

Well, after quite a break on this project, the replacement windscreen arrived from Revell



I put the glazing in and glued it in place using Micro Kristal Klear thinned with water to give it capillary action not unlike Tamiya Extra Thin.



All the external panels could then be attached to the shell of the cab. Bit of tape to hold things in place, but generally the fit was good.



The front grill was then completed with fine plastic mesh, which I think gives a good look.





This was then glued in place. There is the option to have it open, but I don't think my detailing justifies it.



I hope to really press on and get this finished, maybe this week. As long as there are no more hiccups (probably of my own making!) I should have more updates soon. As ever, thanks for looking.

So, really getting there with this truck. I was going to tint the visor with Tamiya smoke as I did the sunroof, but there were nasty epms which I couldn't get rid of and would have shown through.



I painted it black form the outside instead and gave it a high gloss finish using Alclad Aqua Gloss strayed at a low air pressure around 10psi.



The front was finished with more mesh for the grills.



The mirrors came with decals, but they were very dull, so I used Mr Hobby buffable aluminium polished as shiny as it would go - still not great, but ok.



I then scratch built some coiled air lines to add a bit of detail. Actually, scratch build is a bit of a generous term for wrapping some wire around a pencil! This actually produced coils out of scale, so I used a paint brush instead.



These were then painted up...



...and attached to the back of the truck.



This completes the build, until I inevitably find I've forgotten something! Just the decalling left.

You have done a fantastic job here

The little extras and details always make the build. I especially like the painted tubing and real mesh...makes such a difference.
Your paint and decal work is spot on as well.
I am happy you did this thread as you taught me the use of Tamiya X20 on decals. I have used that method and love it
Thanks a ton man, great stuff

Twokidsnosleep wrote:You have done a fantastic job here

The little extras and details always make the build. I especially like the painted tubing and real mesh...makes such a difference.
Your paint and decal work is spot on as well.
I am happy you did this thread as you taught me the use of Tamiya X20 on decals. I have used that method and love it
Thanks a ton man, great stuff

Thanks, glad you found it useful. Fairly sure I'll need to get the X20 A out again when I do the larger decals...

sweet looking rig mate

kiwigav wrote: sweet looking rig mate

Thank you

Well, took a little longer than expected (isn't that always the case!?) but I've finally got the truck finished.













Thanks for following this build - it's been good to do something completely out of the comfort zone. The only question now is do I buy this trailer!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
or somekind of trailer and do another WIP

Amazing build!
This truck looks awesome and real
Really cool to follow this build, and YES I would deffo buy that trailer!

Twokidsnosleep wrote:YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
or somekind of trailer and do another WIP

fly1ngdutchm4n wrote:Amazing build!
This truck looks awesome and real
Really cool to follow this build, and YES I would deffo buy that trailer!

Thanks for your comments, guys. Looks like I have no choice - I'll have to get a trailer! The only problem is where I'll put the thing when it's finished, it will be massive in 1/24!

That's eyecandy.

If it wasn't for the background I would have taken it for the real deal.
Nice color choice too.

Thanks for the comments, guys

So, I took the plunge and bought the trailer, which arrived today.



This thing is going to be huge!

Love the rig, looks excellent congratulations can't wait to see how the trailer turns out

Good luck!
I know you will make it shine!

It is a big rig man, of course it will be huge
I have plans for making the Rubber Duck Mack Truck from the Convoy movie ......one day
I made it as a kid long ago and far away

Nice work top job mate

I can't quite believe it's two years since I started this thread, but I have finally got round to finishing the Italeri dumper trailer.

It was a pretty nice kit. Simple, fairly good decals. The fit was fine, but then I would expect that from something so chunky. The only problem was some pretty huge ejector pin marks, but fortunately they're quite hard to see, so I just left most of them. Anyway, here is the finished model...

That looks cool great work love it

That is brilliant great job all round

Super clean build, VERY well done

That is some great work there mate

I started life as a Iveco Truck Mechanic many years ago, so this interests me, love the work!

Nice one bud

very nice work