In the early 90's the U.S. Army wanted a replacement for there M916 Medium Equippment transport Truck. Freightliner got the contract to build the new trucks based on there civilian FLD120. The newer trucks offer more power, and is more areodynamic to save fuel.
So far there is only one model out there of a FLD120 and its in 1/24 scale, too big for my 35th scale collection. So I had to have it which means I have to scratch build it!
To start off I had to get a copy of the Iterlie Instruction sheet for the 24th scale truck, this was to me the best way to get the drawings I needed to make my plans with. Instead of buying the model that I didn't need I called on the help of the Model truck club at Yahoo.com. I got the scans and hard copies I need from Tyl Campbell, without him this wouldn't be possible
then took the scaned copies I had and scaled the parts map to 1/32 scale in AutoCAD.
Now for the fun part, the truck started out as a Monogram 32nd scale Kenworth sanp-tite truck which I uesd the cab a chassie, I cut the hood ,sleeper and side skirts off the KW and kept the cab, useing the plans I scratch built the hood fenders ans widened the cab . The Chassie was also ued form the KW ti it was sortesed for the M916. The suption was taken from a M988 Hemett and so where the axles.
The tires where takened from a ESCI 1/32 Volvo truck(not the AMT Coca Cola truck) and te rims where modified form the Monogram kit, the holes where filled and new ones where drilled to reprosent the Bub 2 hole rims. I made each wheel one at a time ( I got to lean how to cast my own parts). I have most of the wheels done, I just have to do the two in the rear and a spare. I'll get to it soon.
The Tanker trailer is a old 32nd scale Monogram kit which was basicly built out of the box,but I changed the wheels on it with the same wheels that are on my M-54, The traier my not be correct for the army,but it looks right when painted in camo .
I still have more deatils to add to it such as the wench, windshild, I have tine interior and dash built for it already, I have to add a brush gaurd and some other details, I'm going to tae some time off from the model so I don't burn out on it and never get it done