Serenity

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    • I had to return an Agchem 8103 Airship to Zeigler Cat in Columbus, WI not long ago, and took along my wallet in case there was important toy shopping to do. Turned out there was - I picked this up for $6.95. Scale Models quality, in my opinion, stinks, and this particular model isn't the exception (the top decal is pealed a bit). However, it'll likely be customized some day, so... Who cares?
    I ran into a can of Glossy Military Green while getting paint for the ill-fated CXT project, and it was one of those things I thought I had to have, but didn't know why at the time. I like these old PEM/Hartoy AHL models... They're cheap, colorful, and a good casting, if not a little un-original in their livery. This one will get a military green cab, detailed box with Jaydeez wood decking, and a load of drums from Jaydeez. Probably won't go to the effort of getting decals made, but I'm sure a white star for the doors, and 'US ARMY' decals for the drums would set it off.
    Stripping paint is always messy, and for some reason this one was a little more so. Such is life *Grin*
    I found plastic 'stars' in the scrapbook section that served as an adornment for the doors. They stick out a little if you look close, but who cares. Some paint flaws in the bed - I prolly should strip it and do it again, but... Such is life. I'm finding I don't like Rustoleum paint products. No room for a paintbooth/airbrush, but going to have to do something different at this rate. The wood decking from Jaydeez turned out to be a nice touch. I added it to the bottom as well (perhaps an over-do) but... It really does sweeten the truck up. 55 Gallon drums on order from Jaydeez.
    I built this for fun, but also for the first Fireengines.net Wildland fire apparatus contest. It's an Ertl International cab, coupled up to a Code 3 body from a Crown Firecoach. The tires/wheels are from Jaydeez.
    Speaking of Wildland Engines, I've been thinking of this a little lately. This is some leftover parts from other projects, being combined into a fantasy off-road vehicle. I shortened the tank a bit, and will now set about filling in the gap. Hadn't noticed the metal flakes all over from a little body work on it, but they're gone now *Grin*
    It's a bad habit, but sometimes I don't take all of the time I should to complete a model. I built this about 3 years ago, using a magazine advertisement for reference over a labor day weekend. It's a representation of a Ray-Man side shooter on a Speccast 385. Not completely accurate, but... The idea is there, and it was fun.
    This little bugger was like looking for a needle in a haystack - an Ertl CAT Utility truck. And it came damaged, to boot. But, at least I 'gots' one. It'll likely get re-mounted on a better chassis, while this cab can be used to replicate on of the little trucks at work. Back in her day, I'll bet she was really the thing, and it is a cool looking box.
    Some 55 Gallon drums from Jaydeez will help to fill this model out. Admittedly, my pallets are hap-hazard, but... I think the real ones would be too, given the age/use of the vehicle. I chopped down some popsicle sticks for the lumber, and epoxied them together (3/4 inch square, which I believe should make them scaled for a standard pallet.)
    A future victim for a retro fire utility vehicle. Except for the 'Lowrider' stance, these Jada castings are excellent for $3.50 at Wallyuniverse. As the package states, this is a 1947 Ford Cabover.
    The most difficult part of building such obscure models is trying to decide how they should be designed. I was certain my hose reels should be enclosed in compartments, until I started thinking about it AFTER I had made the boxes for said reels. They just don't make sense in this application. For this to be a wildland type rig, she'll have to be able to expel water while in motion, and also at rest, and... Having the hoses out of compartments with doors just isn't going to work. So... I have another plan, and some boxes for another day. Stay tuned?
    This is the 'other half' of the project that is pictured just above. This is what I was trying to build, an 8103 with New Leader spinner, like I've been around quite a bit at work.
    This is about 1/2 of a lot of stuff that I got from Ebay, paid about $71 (including shipping). There was another Allis, some Hesston tractors, a couple of pull-type haybines, and a few more Scale Models tractors in it as well (those will go to my Boss' little guy *Grin*). Bought the lot for the Sprayer... Pretty nice work on the builder's part.
    Another conversion from the Jada 'For Sale' line. Just a repaint and some Roadblockers decals.
    This is some progress on a kit I won from Ebay several years ago. Ostensibly, it's supposed to be a Case 90 series four-wheel drive Ag tractor, but one would have been hard-put to tell by the pieces. Very slowly, some progress is being made. The cab and hood are now, at least in my opinion, recognizable.
    Mocked up with some old John Deere wheels. Far from a finished product.
    Clint Black once sang 'The shoes you're wearing don't make the man. Perhaps it's true, but the tires do make the tractor. These are from C&D Models (as are the wheels). Very beneficial to the model.
    A touch more progress, along with a 're-numbered' 2670 Case.
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