Bob Craig built this absolutely gorgeous Pete 378, modeled after the Italeri 1/24 scale models, except of course in 1/87 scale. The cab, hood, and sleeper are severely kitbashed "Whiterose" diecast models from China. The frame is scratchbuilt using the info from David Bontrager' s book "A Truck Modeler's Notebook." Bob says he followed Dave's suggestion for airbag suspension by using the suspension from the Herpa Ford Aeromax. The fuel tanks are medium size A-Line tanks. The engine and transmission were taken from a Wiking Peterbilt model and painted actual Detroit Diesel Alpine Green color. The fifth wheel is from the Athearn Freightliner and this one actually slides. The interior is painted as close to Peterbilt colors as Bob could get. The grilles are from Herpa/Promotex and the headlights are from Whiterose using glass paint on the turn signals. The mirrors and other fine detail (walkway grates and quarter fenders) are from Plano. The air cleaners are scratchbuilt. The wipers are A-Line and the bug screen is clear plastic using red glass paint. The visors are styrene covered with Bare-Metal Foil. The wheels are Promotex with holes drilled out. The flatbed trailer is two Lonestar Trailmobile 40' kits combined to make one 48' with airbag suspension (also Lonestar).

Posted August 1, 2003