LAFD 40-ton Heavy Rescue

Pepe
Nice job

Martin Oostrom
Another fine fire department truck

Goldman
Great looking model. Beautiful paint job.

Curtis Caden Author
Thank you Pepe, Martin Oostrom and Goldman. My only wish is that directions would show pictures of how the part looks after it is attached. Too many arrows pointing in a direction and not even showing which way the part should be flipped. I am convinced that to build a model correctly one should do two of them. One to learn on and one to have for a nice, finished product. I tell myself that I build it because I like the subject matter, and it is only a representation. I felt bad that I couldn't align the white decal stripes better.

David Orr
Very nice work Curtis. Looks like an absolute beast. How did the kit go together? I've got an AMT Kenworth Alaskan Hauler in the stash which I'm hoping to build soon. That will be my first truck model.

Villiers de Vos
Flawless.

Neuling
Beautiful!

Christian W
That truck looks really nice! Flawless pauntjob. This is what I like 🙂

Curtis Caden Author
David Orr the truck part went together fine. The wrecker part that sits on the frame was a bit awkward. There were two options for the hooking part that led to some confusion on my part. I liked having the long cable but having it molded in plastic was not ideal and I probably should have substituted a fabric rope cable. I did like the way the mirrors in this kit were molded.

Curtis Caden Author
Thank you, Villiers de Vos, Neuling and Christian W.

Bozzer
Did you have any issues with the hood alignment, Curtis?

Bill Newcomer
That is nice looking rig. I like the shape of the hood.

Curtis Caden Author
Italeri doesn't mold their cabs like other companies, and I did have trouble with Opal Blitz Classic cab assembly. On this one the hood lined up just right. Hood alignment has only been a problem on the Ford Louisville Series Delivery Van. If you like the hood you would also like Italeri's Classic Western Star 4964 and Australian Truck.

Bozzer
I had hood issues with mine. I couldn't figure out what had happened? It was like the hood, or cab, was twisted? Just wondered if you had a work around.

Curtis Caden Author
Bozzer I had no work around. I find positioning with tape helps. I usually tape the hood to the cab for painting and use tape to hold parts in position until they dry. I used tape for the hood on this one. I think I was just fortunate. My usual problem is getting a twist in the ladder style frame and all I know to do is be more careful.

Bozzer
Always check your frame rails, against a flat surface, before starting. Gentle heat from a hairdryer, will help straighten the frame. (Special note: The Mack R685ST kit has a frame that flares out at the front, DON'T correct it!)
To keep my frame square, I build a jig out of Lego and use that to line everything up.
I'll get back to this Western Star, in the coming months, and take another look at it. I may have missed something obvious, that I overlooked? She's been waiting far too long now, to be finished.

Martin Oostrom
I've been building the Australian Truck on and off for five years now. It won't get right.

Bozzer
I feel that pain too, Martin