The King

[mikemcE]

Originally Posted by mewalsh100

Awesome little run clip Mike. Engine sound set up sounds good, but the air brake sounds really sell it! Scale is not quite as big as I expected, although still pretty big for 1/14. Also, are you going to be running a trailer, and if so, what kind?

No clue, might sell it , might get a lowboy..... still having fun building.


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[Mike Flea]

Same here, I left a response on your YouTube channel

[mikemcE]

Paint has been shot, waiting for cure, color sand and clear to come still.....


Few parts still getting chrome removed, This Tamiya chrome is the toughest I’ve ever removed in 30+ years of styrene modeling. 3rd lye bath seems to work!


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[high plains drifter]

Not sure how you made the color choice but that looks absolutely perfect. Really love hearing that audio too. You've got some serious skills, Mike.

[mikemcE]

Originally Posted by high plains drifter

Not sure how you made the color choice but that looks absolutely perfect. Really love hearing that audio too. You've got some serious skills, Mike.

Shucks, it’s just patience and a vision.
I’ve used these colors many times before. I’ve always loved pearls, these are simple pearl green and white. Very traditional look. I’m hoping that the “factory “ striping in the box will work. The Ivory is a close look, but not sure if it will look too yellow with the white. The axle and transmission I wanted a neutral color but not brown or tan...... That’s RAF green but done high gloss.
Still a bit more color, the visor and air cans are coming.


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[mikemcE]

Well I’m out of patience and parts.... So it must be done. It is , and I must say I’m disappointed, now that it’s done and I don’t have more building to do! This was flat out a fun kit to build, and if instructions are followed it is perfect. As I’m a long time styrene builder I did reach back for a few tricks, to add a bit more.

I will start by mentioning paint. This is a Tamiya kit, and all paints are Tamiya.
With the exception of Duplacolor self etching primer before the Tamiya.



Tamiya Fine White Primer
AS 9 (RAF) Dark Green
TS 29 S G Black
TS 45 Pearl White
TS 49 Bright Red
TS 60 Pearl Green
And topped with TS13 Clear
All lacquer, wet sanded after cure.
Tamiya includes all the grease and thread lock in the box.

Wiring the MFC seems tough, but really not too hard, patience and neatness makes it much easier.
As I wired in stages testing went quickly. Wires all bundled and foil taped, a few lengths of wrap and braid were used as needed. All lights and functions worked out of the box thanks to Tamiya Detail.


After last weekends work, I was sick for a couple of days, but that allowed paint to cure, and chrome to strip naked!! But why bling is king and this is a King Hauler? Elementary Watson, that’s how many get built, I do it differently. Tamiya chrome is the toughest I’ve ever-removed it took Two hours in lye finally...
This is why I wanted the air cans and visor stripped, paint rules!
Green is Clean!
The cans were assembled, painted and then I got the BMF out and the Molotov Pen out for fine touches

Preplanning this build , having my KNK screw kit , FastEddies bearings, and my needed 3D parts printed before made for a smooth, fun build.
Biggest surprise for me was amount of paint I shot.... This is BIG!!
All fairness I did also shoot the frame, But I feel the results were well worth the time!
I did make a flat black panel separating the cab and berth, covering all wiring, And the full dashboard and seats fit perfectly as the speaker is under the longnose!

Total investment including Rx/Tx (modified and programmed),batt, bearings,screw kit, under $1000.00 !
Paint , sundries, and 6 alloy wheelsets add $200.00.
So that’s $1200.00 as you see it in it’s full glory.
I’m pretending to edit a better video, stay tuned!


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[mewalsh100]

Wow Mike - that’s a gorgeous rig! Awesome paint job and color selection.

[high plains drifter]

The big question is are you going to run a trailer on this masterpiece? Dropped my jaw to see it finished. And made even better by seeing/ hearing about all the fantastic details. Wallpaper worthy.

[mikemcE]

Originally Posted by high plains drifter

The big question is are you going to run a trailer on this masterpiece? Dropped my jaw to see it finished. And made even better by seeing/ hearing about all the fantastic details. Wallpaper worthy.

Thanks..... I’ve been toying with trailer ideas, bit pricy on most, I do have a lowball bid on on a flatbed....... It may go down to the LHS for sale, not sure yet......It does have the unlatch/latched sound off a switch on the 5th wheel


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[Mike Flea]

Wow Mike, that turned out great, very nice build!

[mikemcE]

https://youtu.be/7gS5SceEdZg


https://youtu.be/U9QubEmoMb0


https://youtu.be/MDL42i_jLhc


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[JatoTheRipper]

That looks awesome! Now you need your own trucking logo on the door.

What made you paint the shackles red? It looks cool, but I'm curious why you did that. I'm sure there's a reason.

[mikemcE]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

That looks awesome! Now you need your own trucking logo on the door.

What made you paint the shackles red? It looks cool, but I'm curious why you did that. I'm sure there's a reason.

Thanks, fun build!
Had the color, didn’t want another green, looked right.
I was going to use S. Pruitt but many would be lost on that.



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[mikemcE]

Have some LEDs left over, realized when backing up into a trailer, I would be blind, I’m going to install a pair of amber or blue leds and the back up light into the spots on the rear of the berth. With a trailer wiring kit coming, need to finish all.


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[mikemcE]

[mikemcE]

While I wait on USPS to drop off my led bezels, I needed something to whittle time away
A shorty flatbed with more lights!


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[AK KRAWLER]

That thing is awesome!!! I LOVE IT, now I want one. Thanks a lot pal...

[mikemcE]

Covid19 sucks....I've had too much build time, my hands hurt!
Built the Tamiya Flatbed Trailer kit....Not really what I wanted as its a bit short.
Picked up the wiring kit also....When I built this I used the stock wheels....Bad Move, so X Spede came thru again!
Matched paint with the tractor.....Here you see:

[Mike Flea]

Mike, can you remotely put down the landing gear and disconnect the trailer through your Tx?

[mikemcE]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

Mike, can you remotely put down the landing gear and disconnect the trailer through your Tx?

Tamiya has a kit for that, BUT, the big coax connector on the cab has to get plugged in. So I passed on those legs...the tractor does back into the pin, all sorts of proper noise, and the legs retract mechanically on hookup.


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