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Sometimes you got to set aside a project and let it stew. ....So, what do you do? Start another truck. First up, the front axle and tie rod are pinned with small nails. Next, working to develop a concept for the build. On the paint board are several photos from the internet printed on glossy paper. Old trucker movies are also a good source of inspiration for those who want to capture the original colors of "their time". "Blue" on the right is giving me trouble finding the right color match. I will have to try custom mixing, but don't have any experience or feel for it. My first attempts have been unsuccessful. None of the box decals are ideal, so I will have to buy custom made ones or learn to make my own. Does anybody have a good source? Up next is the paint trial. I don't want to risk ruining the cab. A template of styrene sheet was made to mask the body and try my hand at pinstripes. 3 copies initially are made so that I can play with the technique and the finish coat sheen. A set of machinists radius gauges comes in handy.

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.

The theme of this build is a farm truck that is nearing the end of it's service life and is no longer loved by the hired help. It is spring and the ground is muddy. I am satisfied with how the wooden sliding door and the "rusted" exhaust turned out, especially because the techniques used were a "first time" experience for me. The hood decals were a disaster and broke instantly while trying to get them in place, so I ended up having to paint the body stripes.