A fleet of Freightliner COEs - AMT

[02fusoFG]

The boredom has worn off, and I am back on the bench.  A new journey begins.
Now beginning my 4th build, IMO I have realized the painting and detailing of the cab is the most critical part of the model.

This will be an experiment.  5 kits will be built.  Some of the mundane assembly and painting will be "production-lined" to save time with set-up and clean-up.
I will try new things and test the limit of my skills.  Failure is learning.  One (or more) of the kits will probably be sacrificed and end up in the junkyard. 
I will try different paint schemes.   It will also allow me to choose the "best of _____ part" for a showroom build.

At the Cummins factory, holes are drilled for brass rod. 
 It will be nice to not have to relearn every step.

Some of these are from other kits with variations.   

 

"The Seem"
 

 

First attempt at cutting out the doors was done with an X-Acto knife (an impossible task).
The panel scriber worked much better (but still required an insane amount of patience - be prepared to take your time).

    

A template of the floor  is made for quick fabrication in the future.


Pockets are fabricated for the new door handles.

A thin piece of sheet is glued to support and guide an more natural curve on this PE part.

The windshield wiper is carefully removed,   I am getting lots of practice in manipulating the styrene.



 

  

Edited April 14 by 02fusoFG
Did not express myself properly and made an unclear statement that could be misinterpreted.

[Gary Chase]

OMG, five kits at once, I can’t finish them one at a time, good luck. Will be watching. 

[02fusoFG]

It was much easier and quicker to use the PE part above than cutting out the grill detail on this cab. 
This  experience will certainly make me think twice before trying to  do a whole radiator.

 

The third window is added to a short cab.  PE window gaskets applied.

Using a sanding sheet taped to a flat surface greatly improved the problematic cab seam.