1/43 scale Peterbilt 351

Back in the 1970's, AMT produced a small number of 1/32 scale truck and trailer kits which closely matched some of the 1/25 offerings. There was a Peterbilt 359 in both tractor and wrecker versions, Kenworth K100 tractor, and two van trailers: Exterior post dry van and beaded side refrigerated trailer.

A photo found online inspired me to build up a couple of these old kits, and make some modifications as well to change the 359 into an earlier 351 model.

Being much smaller than 1/25 models the kits are of course more simplified but well detailed and they do build up nicely, even providing separate shock absorbers for the air ride suspension. One change I made was swapping the Peterbilt kit's Detroit Diesel V8 for inline six Cummins engine out of the Kenworth cabover kit to better match truck's single stack.

Styrene sheet overlays on sleeper were used to match full height door seen on 1:1 truck.

Biggest challenge was narrowing 359 hood to represent the 351's narrow , non-tilting hood. Taking a wedge shaped section out of hood kept cab end at original width but required addition of tapered pieces to restore full length of hood on sides.

Kit 10 hole wheels were made into 5 hole aluminum versions by filling alternate holes with styrene rod.

Molded radiator grille screen was removed so individual styrene strip shutters could be added later.

Air cleaner and intake pipe were scratch built using styrene tube, and brass wire was the material chosen to make sleeper cab steps.

Cab, hood and frame received red "dip job" paint, followed by black on fenders and battery boxes and white decal stripe.

Mirror arms are soldered from .020" brass wire, mirror heads are styrene strip. Wipers are made from styrene strip.

Door logos were drawn on CAD and printed onto white decal paper. Chrome Mylar self-adhesive material was cut into strips for fuel tank and air cleaner straps. Stack is aluminum tube left in it's "raw" state (not polished).

Trailer was built mainly "out of the box" with addition of .040" styrene half round ribs along sides and etched stainless mesh on refrigerator unit grille. Ladder on trailer nose was soldered together from .020" brass wire.

Lettering is also CAD artwork printed on clear decal paper. Although ink jet printed decals are limited in their application due to the (lack of) opacity of the ink, red lettering on a silver background is possible.

Light brushing of dust along lower portions of truck was done to replicate the real truck's "used" appearance.

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