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Chariots of Fire

1948 Sterling HC 175

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The Reo has gone to the caster.  Here's what is next.  A nice compact Sterling to build into a heavy duty dump.  The West Coast version was modified by shortening the hood and changing the chrome trim to louvers.  The radiator was also modifiedl

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The original that was reworked was sent back to AITM and was cast again.  This time with the shorter hood and 5 louvers.  Since receiving it back the frame has been worked on and the drive train made up.  I took the jackshaft from the Monogram Mack AC kit.  The sprockets and chains are from Micro-Mark.  Wheels came from the AMT ALF kit and the tires are resin castings.  Lots of small stuff done to create the front axle so that the wheels can be posed.  King pins are brass tubing.  Tie rod the same.  Next up will be do make the steering arm and connect it to a steering box.  Also about 1/4" was cut off the bottom of the hood and cab.  Many Sterlings were cut just below the door lines.009.thumb.JPG.4e90eccadd468b2366238f0a6ba0440c.JPG010.thumb.JPG.d6975f87ac51ec6dd53fa8b072dd4422.JPG011.thumb.JPG.8873c69881d759fae82ff7e40abd52d6.JPG012.thumb.JPG.701f9048dd3965338e86e96ec88fc3b4.JPG013.thumb.JPG.c696f7dbcbeb5fbbe66bb3d1b30ac46b.JPG

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On 6/15/2020 at 4:28 PM, Casey said:

Awesome as always.  I look forward to watching it come together.

Me too.... not often we see a chain drive..... just a few miles from my place I found an OLD chain drive Kenworth mine truck..... I would like to try and get close to it, but it is on private property and rarely anyone around to ask......

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Here's where we are as of today with the Sterling.  I'm modeling a 1948 Sterling, Dave.  Brass sheet has been used to form the hood so it can open.  The bumper is now brass as well since the kit bumper was straight and did not have the curved ends like most of the trucks that I am trying to construct.  Next up will be to get the doors open.  Bumper has been primed and I will post pix of it shortly.

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The engine is a compilation of various pieces from the parts box including a Pete block and oil plan and transmission.  Much of the rest is simply plastic tubing, sheet stock and craft wire.017.thumb.JPG.51071b9cad3d096df4490e8d77c84b04.JPG

A shot of the engine bay with the hood side open.  The louvers still have to be added along with a strip for the Sterling name plate.018.thumb.JPG.0857c0bf51a5da788f49f3e7b33290a3.JPG024.thumb.JPG.96f3aa8e96406a254465fa0b592cc176.JPG

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Kept working on the details today and last nite.  The front bumper is now done along with the headlights and brackets.  The doors have been opened after much scribing but they came out quite well.  Getting closer to some paint on the cab!!028.thumb.JPG.cf1a2f56fe5097aba35911af094a69ca.JPG031.thumb.JPG.29481cadd6fe86e42407f260859aad06.JPG032.thumb.JPG.504cde1e65af59843be203b369084ca1.JPG033.thumb.JPG.45f19db3ed2fa4dfc58f59a3d15b91af.JPG

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Got a lot more work done in the past few days including getting all of the major painting done.  The Krylon Leaf green is a great color but like other non-automotive paints it is soft and requires a long drying time.  Duplicolor is great fast drying stuff but the color selection is just not there for non-metallic colors.  The battery boxes are being painted and certain other small details are to be added to the cab.

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That’s coming together nicely. The finish looks great, it has a very period-correct sheen to it.

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Superb work!  The hinges are my favorite.  Fine workmanship, always looking to emulate craftmanship such as yours.

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Here are some updated photos.  Body work has started using some Evergreen sheet and strip stock.  The upper portion that protects the cab is made of thin sheet brass.  It needed to be bent in a curve and it is easy to do once the brass is annealed.  Side pieces and the lip at the top were soldered on.  It fits snugly against the two vertical plastic angles but will need to be braced further before mounting it permanently.  Next up is the tailgate and lifting mechanism.

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Very nice, I'm impressed with the cab guard design. Is the body patterned after any brand? Has a Garwood look to it.  Paul

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You are right, Paul.  It is a GA Wood body.  So is the lifting mechanism that I was able to complete today.

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Here is the mechanism in the retracted position.

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When fully extended the inner rollers push against the curved runners and the body is raised.  It is a Wood design.

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Work continues.  With the body painted, the tailgate latches and handle were put in place.  When the handle is pulled forward the latches raise and the tailgate opens.

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There are still steps to be made for the driver's side along with air brake cylinders and some oil canisters for the chains.

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After several weeks and working on another project here are the photos of the finished rig.  I've added the oil reservoirs, steps and battery boxes, air tanks, some mud flaps and tail lights.   Calling it complete.1619125829_082-Copy.thumb.JPG.200bb45585bcb3af2f72188c98d2443d.JPG080.thumb.JPG.6da9b156331de9215ef5498e8ac2da2c.JPG071.thumb.JPG.ff38d9ec325915b8cc30976ac595c3eb.JPG

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