Johnny M

Many happy returns! Of birthdays, that is. Sorry, no returns on 55 gallon drums of super glue. Too sticky -- way too sticky... Johnny

Looks like you're off to a great start -- Carry on, please. And I think it's good that you've moved your toolbox over onto your cutting board -- saves all that walking back and forth across the room every time you need a tool. Johnny

That ain't tattered, Cornbinder, that's a workin' truck! Might have to replace that headlight, though, so you don't have to visit with the highway patrol every time you go out. 😎 Johnny

WOW -- just brilliant! Congrats! Johnny

Lookin' good! Nice fat front rubber. Also, roobars roole! Johnny

Thanks, Driptroit. I think you're right, and that makes sense. 49 was a big year of change industry-wide, for cars and trucks both. Also I think I remember that Autocar shared the later curved-window cab with some of the Whites, and the setup on your truck looks strictly Autocar-only. Anyway, great work! Johnny

Driptroit, do you know what year model that truck might be, with the flat windshield? I think all the Autocars I've ever seen on the road have the later, curved, windshield. I'm guessing this one must be from the late forties. I kinda want to say they didn't introduce that set-back front axle tractor until after the war but... As always, I could be wrong. Johnny

Wow -- that's beautiful! Congrats -- super job. Johnny

That's beautiful -- so clean and nice and showroom fresh! So I'm gonna go ahead and make a wild guess that you're not quite done with it yet. Love the grill and front bumper, btw, they look perfect. Johnny

HeHe You know that's an old song fer sure -- "ICC is checkin' on down the line, I'm a little overweight and my log book's way behind" Who? What? Do what now? HeHe Johnny

I love this truck -- super job! Johnny

Nice catch! If the main body parts are already that nice yellow, how about going with some kind of black two-tone. That way it'll not only be my favorite colors, but you'll only have to mask and spray it once and you won't have to mask between the colors. OR you could just wrap the part you want black with some of that fabulous VViViD gloss black tape and not have to paint at all -- OK, I know, that would be extremely lazy, but it would look just as good as a rattle can paint job and be way easier. Just a thought. Johnny (the lazy guy who loves dem DeWalt tools cuz -- well, you know.)

Oh that's just beautiful. You are so good at getting the road dirt look just right. Love the diesel fuel overflow in the dirt on the tanks and the fresh grease job on the fifth wheel. Those drive tires look like recaps. Nice touch! I wonder if McLean was into recaps. I know a lot of those big carriers gave up on recaps and just went over to all new tires. Not sure about McLean, though -- I never drove for them. Congrats on a terrific model! Johnny

Here's the new floor installed on my sectioned Wilson flatbed. I went with the hardwood flooring because that's more like what they used back in the day and also to cover up the joint where I removed the 13 foot section from the original 53' trailer. Feel free to ignore what's left of the joint 'cuz we won't be able to see it after I get the trailer loaded. I think I'm gonna go with a load of steel tubes chained down without a tarp for now, I was planning on steel coils with tarps, but I'll have to work on that later in my spare time since I haven't been able to figure the tarps out yet. That's the tape I used to cover the floor. I got it from Amazon, and it works great. The tape is very thin and it conforms to the surface of whatever you stick it on, plus it's not peel and stick -- it just unrolls like duct tape. I haven't tried to age or weather it yet; I'll save that for another day. Johnny

Thanks, Mark. I like those smaller sizes mostly because they take up less room 😋, plus you can get away with of with a lot of detail stuff -- like in the interiors -- 'cuz people can't see inside. That's a plus for some older model builders (not saying who) who don't have a steady hand. I guess 1;43 is my favorite because it's kind of right in the middle. All those trucks up on the shelf there are 1:43s, as well as way too many others. Johnny

Thanks, Mark -- good to know. Johnny

Lookin' good! The air lines turned out just right with the dark colors. Love the random sliding strap cranks on the Reitnouer! Johnny

Thanks, Rob. Good find! Johnny

Great job ! The taillight bar and rear mud flaps look just right, too. Did you say earlier that you had ordered those glad hands from somewhere? Johnny

Beautiful! Great detailing on all the little stuff -- nice work. Love those bullnose KWs -- something about the swan sitting next to the air cleaner sticking right out of the top of the hood makes me smile every time 😀 Johnny

WOW -- what a terrific model! That's the good stuff right there. Johnny

I love that truck! Also great job on the background and layout with the wind turbine and the lagoons. It took me a while to figure out how you did that. Johnny

Yeahh -- sweet! Love the roof 👍 Johnny

Really comin' together! Those air lines look just right to me. What gauge wire did you use for them? Johnny

Nice upgrade! Also, love the two-hole Budds. -- Old Skool! Johnny