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Sometime back in the early 1980's I started to build a Holmes 1801. Nobody knew then that the 1801 was not going to sell well due to cost and how much it weighed. You could buy three 750's for the cost of an 1801, I read. I believe only 11 or 12 1801's were actually sold. I usually begin a build with the wrecker unit itself before moving on to the wrecker body, then building the truck chassis to fit the already done wrecker/body combination. I never finished the build when I lost interest so put all my completed work into a box and put it on a shelf...then into a closet...then into my backyard shed where I store my stash...of models, nothing else! Anyway, I went out to that shed and started rummaging through things last fall and found a box which I opened there it was patiently waiting on me to get off my...butt and decided this needs to be finished. I was looking to use some super singles I had crafted from those plastic Italeri tires. Here in my rural neck of the woods farmers are always getting their equipment stuck in their fields and calling a local wrecker company to pull them out. The company kept an old 750 around for that purpose because it was light and didn't sink too badly into a wet field. My pea brain thought maybe my fantasy wrecker company could do better so since I had that half-done 1801, a resin KW C500 hood laying around, and a KW kit also not doing anything I ordered me a front drive axle from STS Supply and got to work. I also read this..."if you think a 750 pulls hard, you should see an 1801 at work". I decided a 6 by 6 Holmes 1801 equipped wrecker on flotation tires would be just the ticket for a wet farm field. I say it's an 1801/kinda because I chose not to use the sheaves that would allow the wrecker to make 90 degree pulls off the mast. The 1801 did use a mast similar to the Holmes 750 and since I can build a 750 mast blindfolded that was easy. I made a few mistakes doing this only because I didn't research eras correctly but I will own up to them. I modified the doors of the cab to resmble more modern cabs but that modification would not have been available with that C500 hood. Also, since I am a dyed in the wool fan of those 8V92 Detroits I scarfed one from another kit, which also is wrong on this build for several reasons...but as they say "it's my build".

I haven’t posted anything here in awhile, be nice to see some activity again. So here is my latest completion. This started out as the AMT Autocar A64 B tractor kit. Stretched frame, added lift axle, fenders, later model turbo Cummins with larger turbo and plumbed inter cooler, custom mirrors, custom visor, custom dash, some plumbing, hand made exhaust, 10 wheels and on and on.

I like all those paint jobs, the white, gold and orange is really cool. Not sure what happened, but it’s cool.

4 frames assembled. 1 shortened, 1 extended. Practicing with tape. In the paint booth. Decals did not cooperated. Change of plans. The striping will be attempted without the decals, which didn't even make it off the paper. Good enough. I can clean it up. Catastrophic failure. In a tank of Lacquer thinner it will go for a complete re-start. I really like the concept of #2.

Very nice build. I like the subtle weathering, and detail on the white engine. Nice photo etched upgrade on the grille. The Moebius tires are also an improvement. One of the best 352s I’ve seen in a while.

Such a great build and spot on weathering

Fantastic build. Lots of hard work went into this one. Love it front to back. Awesome scratch skills

The inspiration for this build came from a real wrecker/recovery Peterbilt owned by a company just a few miles from where I live. I watched the wrecker in action and was amazed at the capability it exhibited. I knew I had to build one albeit on a KW chassis cause in my world there are only two large cars made...KW and all the rest! Anyway, the real rig weighs 102,000 pounds and that's why it has 5 axles. Here in Ohio where I live it has a special permit to operate on highways throughout the state. Since I can be in WV or Pennsylvania in less than 20 minutes I'm assuming the company, Marlboro Towing, has similar permits in those states as well. The model is almost entirely scratch built using Evergreen Scale Models styrene plastic sheets and structural shapes. The only kit parts used were the frame, rear axle assembly, the cab/interior, a few other odds and ends. It's worth noting the hood is entirely scratch built with the exceptions of the GMC General fenders I had laying around. The entire wrecker unit is scratch built. The wrecker rotates and will travel a scale 7 feet on the frame, front to back.

What a beauty ! That is a top drawer build. The ctm pe grille makes it stand out. And as mentioned above the weathering is spot on. Looks like a daily hard worker. The engine is a jewel. I really like this. Very well done.

Actually. That white one with the orange , almost looks like a custom paint job , like some bubbles. On my phone as the picture is a bit small it looks pretty cool. It could be clear coated and be the pride of the fleet. Nice color combination too.

Yes, same paint scheme. Black and chrome. I wanted to get the trailer built and primed so I could paint the RV and trailer at the same time, too.

Beautiful truck

That finish is so realistic, very well done.

seriously bad ass.....I could only dream of having skills like that. Awesome job

This build looks very realistic, nice touch of weathering

Finished this one in December. I used the US Mail kit with decals from the Mpc DM600. Paint is Tamiya and Krylon shortcuts. I scratchbuilt mudflaps, 5 speed transmission, shifter, and clutch pedal. Otherwise, pretty much out of the box.

You got some serious skills, love this build.

Thank you.

Wow! This is an incredible build. What a great piece of equipment. Your scratch-building skills are top-notch. The operating features are equally impressive.