That looks great! I like the angled top edge on the bed. I remember older trucks with that configuration. Very helpful in loading if you're hauling bulk materials like gravel or feed. Interesting factoid about the factory not polishing the paint jobs on some commercial vehicles. I did not know that. Makes sense, though, especially if you're never going to wash the truck anyway. It was a kinder and gentler and less glossy time, I guess. The little tail light and license plate in the rear view are another perfect detail. Congrats! Johnny

Here's my new model of a Ford Model AA 1-1/2 ton H.D. Express truck. I know of no '30- '31 Model A closed cab bodies so I had to build this one. It started out as an old 1930 Model a coupe kit. I cut the rear portion of the body off along with the rear part of the top with the rear window. The curved body sides and back panel were scratch built. The rear belt moulding was added along with interior details that were fashioned to fit the cab. The front fenders, hood and grille shell were used from the kit. The chassis, rear axle, springs, rear fenders and express body were all scratch built. The wheels were a set from Scenes Unlimited. Interior of the box is painted Ford gray and the body is finished in Lombard Blue. Note that the body paint is not polished. Ford did not polish the paint on commercial vehicles as a  cost saving effort. In late 1930, due to lagging sales, they did offer polishing as an extra cost option on trucks and fleet orders. Today, you'll see very few "restored" Model A trucks that are not polished! The front fender wheel well is made from a rear fender from the kit and the rear fenders are made from layers of plastic then carved and sanded to shape, The bed sleepers are made from wood as is the paneling in the bed. The interior has the exposed wooden structure that would be in a truck, but it's not evident in the photos. Glass is thin sheets of clear plastic cut from a shirt stiffener. Enjoy the photos! Now it's on to figuring out the next project. Maybe a Model of the Walton's express truck!                   

Made some progress this week. I setup the center air axle an 1/8 inch from the ground, not sure that was enough. Next fitting the resin hood to the cab. 

Looks like a good start, will be watching

Hello all, hope all are well. I am starting my FAVORITE model tuck of all time. The International 4070A. This was really the model that got me going way back in 1976 as the ERTL issue. Fully knowing that I am not the most talented builder is where my trepidation lies on this build. I painted the cab last year and she was put away. Impressed by what Round 2 has presented us sans a lot of the chrome from the 1970's issued kit. I will use the Loadmasters decals as the pictures of the model inside the instructions booklet are what has always been an awesome memory. The only thing I was perplexed by is why they never made the pictures in the instructions in color. I always envisioned the solid painted cab as Testors Red. My example will obviously be Blue and I had a can of Testors One Coat Lacquer DeJa Blue aching to be used. Probably spokes all around for this fleet unit. Will post as I go along. Thanks for looking.

Welcome aboard, Brian. Good to have you here. It’s not the busiest forum, but the models, tips, and ideas on here are great. The MTB store sells some great aftermarket products. But most of all, everyone has always been kind and helpful. Looking forward to seeing your refuse truck build. I’ve been considering getting one of those kits, myself.

....thanks for the welcome....   Will be posting the W.I.P on the trash truck soon, right now I am having an issue with the computer recognizing the digital camera....hopefully get it resolved soon. 

Hey Brian, good to have you on board. Please keep posting and send pics when you can. I'm pretty new here myself, and that's why I know you're welcome. Folks on the forum will love anything you send in. I know that's true because they seem to like my stuff, and I send in the most random and poorly photographed submissions on the board. I've always loved actually building and customizing models, but I'm not very good at staging and photographing them. Plus I had to get my granddaughter to show me how to post, so... Anyway, welcome! Johnny  

Looks Great!!

Hello, I'm Brian from Topeka.  There's a couple names here that I already recognize, Paul, who is a fellow member of the Ad Astra Modeling Club here in Topeka and Dr. Kerry.   Got back into model building in 2007 after a 20 year hiatus,  Since 2007, I scratch built 1955 and newer Ford, Mercury, Edsel and Lincoln dirt track stock cars.  I always told anyone who would give me an ear that if I ever get tired of the dirt track stuff I was moving on to fire apparatus and commercial trucks.  In the last few months I have transitioned away from the stock cars and moved on to commercial trucks and fire apparatus.  Presently, I am working on the Ford C 900/ Garwood LP 900 trash truck.  This is my first truck build, exception being a deuce and half that I scabbed together when I was 9 or 10 years old.   As far as the fire apparatus goes, it's American La France 700 series (1947-1959) and the 800 series and American Fire Equipment from the 60's and 70's for me which means a bunch of scratch building to look forward to.