Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...

[glorydays24]

OK everyone, I just wanted to let you see what I have in mind for a not to far off project...
I recently joined 1/24 scale model trucks, and I was going through the threads and came across something very interesteing. This gentleman named John had built a 1/25 scale model of the Bill Signs Trucking. It has a interesting spread axle configuration, with custom tool boxes between the axles...look's like some more of Russ's air ride
Now I asked John if he would mind if I built this in 1/14 scale r/c, and he was honored
I had this model years ago, and it was a very detailed kit...Revell of Germany, what do you expect
I've contacted SnP (John) to paint the body, and it's like I told him, i've seen his paint jobs, and I have no worries
Anyhoo, i've babbled enough, and here is a couple of pic's of what I like to call "BIG BLUE"
The grill and the head light housings won't be painted.





Let me know what you think...now if I can just get someone to make the tool boxes...

Thanx for looking, Big John

[Cossett]

Hi john, now that was and still is a great kit as there was a lot of chrome and $$$ to buy, to do justice to the kit I think you would be best following the way Brian in PA built his tipper with opening bonnet, going from there with custom grill /rear wall panel for the truck and the rest of the one off parts that this model kit was know for so when people see it they know it based on the revell kit......
http://www.wettringer-modellbauforum...threadID=30433
http://pete389.proboards.com/index.c...ay&thread=4284

Just my thoughts about it...

Cheers Tracy

[JAMMER]

This is a very nice looking tractor it has a lot of detail I like it a lot. Ed

[Izzy]

I say go for it - I like cossets ideas - might even get ahold of one of those cat die cast engines

[Espeefan]

Trucks like these seem to be Canadian in origin. You never see these in the USA. The spread drive axles is like a Canadian trademark. Not really sure why they build them like that. Another signature look of these trucks is the rear frame, beind the last axle. It's got a radius and not the typical frame taper to it. Very unique and cool. They have a really heavy look to them. I believe the radius frame is used to get a trailer up onto the 5th wheel.

Like Dustin said, Brand Modell did a truck up like this. Probably not the exact replica of this one, as I've seen quite a few variations of these spread axle trucks over the years. I have some photos, but I'd have to dig them up.

This would make an awesome build. I had ideas to do something up like this, but probably never will.

[REEVE2007]

The spread on the axles is a requiremnt for different weights depending on which state/country you are in. Alot of the states in the USA are the same but states like California that like to be DIFFERENT (harder on truckers) make there axle requirements completely different then most making it harder to get maximum weight on your axles in other states.

The tapered rear frame rails are ramps used in California 99.9% of the time. It is common for heavy haulers in the east to use self powered removable goose necks. It is most common for heavy haulers in California and some surrounding states to run manual removable goose neck trailers which requires ramps to get under the neck after yuo drop the trailer and un latch it.

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Trucks like these seem to be Canadian in origin. You never see these in the USA. The spread drive axles is like a Canadian trademark. Not really sure why they build them like that. Another signature look of these trucks is the rear frame, beind the last axle. It's got a radius and not the typical frame taper to it. Very unique and cool. They have a really heavy look to them. I believe the radius frame is used to get a trailer up onto the 5th wheel.

Like Dustin said, Brand Modell did a truck up like this. Probably not the exact replica of this one, as I've seen quite a few variations of these spread axle trucks over the years. I have some photos, but I'd have to dig them up.

This would make an awesome build. I had ideas to do something up like this, but probably never will.

[glorydays24]

Originally Posted by Cossett

Hi john, now that was and still is a great kit as there was a lot of chrome and $$$ to buy, to do justice to the kit I think you would be best following the way Brian in PA built his tipper with opening bonnet, going from there with custom grill /rear wall panel for the truck and the rest of the one off parts that this model kit was know for so when people see it they know it based on the revell kit......
http://www.wettringer-modellbauforum...threadID=30433
http://pete389.proboards.com/index.c...ay&thread=4284

Just my thoughts about it...

Cheers Tracy

I do agree with you Tracy. Everything that I can do to replicate this truck, I am going to do my best...And with the great vendor's on the board, i'm sure i'll have no problem's

Big John

[glorydays24]

Originally Posted by Izzy

I say go for it - I like cossets ideas - might even get ahold of one of those cat die cast engines

I don't know about the dicast engine, do to there is na sleeper.
The motor/tranny would sit back so far, I don't think it would work.
But not a bad idea

Big John

[bigpipespete]

Seeing as i used to be a trucker , and live in canada i can tell you that 60 inch spread is the max. ive ever seen , and you rarely see that anymore cause its just too hard on the tires And we call those lowbed ramps, for picking up trailers that dont have landing gear. On such a short wheelbase tractor those rear tires would be worn out in a few months .

[glorydays24]

I want to thank everyone who has had input on the truck, telling me things I didn't know.
I'm thinking stock King Hauler frame...and with that, it might be a little longer than the actual truck, but that's ok with me.
I have the kh body and maybe a rolling chassis coming my way before to long...so now it's just a matter of time
If anyone has any idea's, input, or anything else to add, feel free to.
This is going to be interesting for sure

Thanx again, Big John

[CustomClod]

This is going to be a cool looking rig when its done! Keep us updated.
Scott

[Lil Giants]

Bill Signs Trucking is a californian heavy haulage company.

http://billsignstrucking.com/

[glorydays24]

Originally Posted by Lil Giants

Bill Signs Trucking is a californian heavy haulage company.

http://billsignstrucking.com/

Thank you so much for the link, very interesting reading
And the video made my mouth water, lol.

Big John

[glorydays24]

Originally Posted by CustomClod

This is going to be a cool looking rig when its done! Keep us updated.
Scott

I sure will Scott, but I probably won't get started 'til after christmas...maybe santa will bring me some goodies. Probably not, according to the little lady of the house, I haven't been very good this year

Big John

[straightpipejakebrake]

I had this kit too and always wondered what it would be like in 1/14 RC. The stock KH fuel tanks should work fine. The biggest problems I think you will have is those straight pipes and the taper at the end of the frame. Doing the decals should not be a problem...just scan the originals and resize them for 1/14 right? I have the instruction manual, maybe I could scan it for you so you have an idea of what goes where? Good luck on the build and keep us updated!

[glorydays24]

Originally Posted by straightpipejakebrake

I had this kit too and always wondered what it would be like in 1/14 RC. The stock KH fuel tanks should work fine. The biggest problems I think you will have is those straight pipes and the taper at the end of the frame. Doing the decals should not be a problem...just scan the originals and resize them for 1/14 right? I have the instruction manual, maybe I could scan it for you so you have an idea of what goes where? Good luck on the build and keep us updated!

Thank you spjb, i've wonderd on how this was done.
I contacted S&P, (John) to do the paint. And if he can, i'm going to have the graphic's painted...we'll see what happens.

Thanx buddy, Big John

[fhhhstix]

John here is a neat way of replying to multiple replies without doing a separate post for each one. Use the multi quote button beside the quote button in the bottom right side of the replies you want to reply to. Once you have clicked all of the multi quote buttons in the replies you want to reply to click on the post reply button in the lower left corner under the last post and it will put all of the quotes in one post and you can reply to them all at once and help keep your thread nice and tidy. I hope this helps make things easier and faster for you.

Travis

[Brian in PA]

Great lookin model John! these Revell of Germany are great kits. i built 2 Pete models and I still have 2 KW dumps to do. I'll probably never do it though. I like the detail they have like pose-able steering and opening doors.

Brian

[glorydays24]

Originally Posted by Brian in PA

Great lookin model John! these Revell of Germany are great kits. i built 2 Pete models and I still have 2 KW dumps to do. I'll probably never do it though. I like the detail they have like pose-able steering and opening doors.

Brian

Originally Posted by fhhhstix

John here is a neat way of replying to multiple replies without doing a separate post for each one. Use the multi quote button beside the quote button in the bottom right side of the replies you want to reply to. Once you have clicked all of the multi quote buttons in the replies you want to reply to click on the post reply button in the lower left corner under the last post and it will put all of the quotes in one post and you can reply to them all at once and help keep your thread nice and tidy. I hope this helps make things easier and faster for you.

Travis

God bless you fhhhstix. Now I know, and thanx a million.

Brian , revell of germany kit's are very detailed. I have to say the first truck was a c/o kw, and when I opened the box and seen all part's, chrome, and decal's, I was flabbergasted.
And there is something about a static model sitting there with the wheel's posed "steering", add's more realism.
But I do have one complaint about the germany truck kit's. On the cummin's, they don't have a starter...I guess there attitude is, "if you can't see it, why put it in the kit".

And right now tower hobbies has the Bill Sign's truck for $109.99.
Kinda pricey, but I think it's worth it considering all the detail

Big John

[Brian in PA]

But I do have one complaint about the germany truck kit's. On the cummin's, they don't have a starter...I guess there attitude is, "if you can't see it, why put it in the kit".

I'll have to check it out. I've never noticed that.

Brian