1-87 SCALE

This is a River Point Station Ford Super Duty. In my opinion this is one of the best models on the market today in 1-87  vehicle scale.  River Point Station hit a home run with this model.  Our scale was desperate for a modern pickup truck and River Point Station filled this void with a very poplar vehicle and excellent reproduction.  When you compare the cost of about $12.00 US for the Trident F-230 and about $14.00 for the RPS Ford, RPS is definitely the better buy.  The body lines and the fine detail makes this model stand above most.  The tool boxes on the bed is part of their detail accessories.  I added a Herpa light bar, this was before River Point Station released their LED light bars, the details in the bed are from various manufactures.  The only thing requiring attention on this model was painting the amber reflector in the headlight/turn signal housing.  I also have one of these models in kit form.  I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope that River Point Station will release their Ford F-750 and Ford E-350.  I also hope they will continue their accessories.  Unfortunately they cancelled their Toyota Line.  If you have not already purchased one, this is one model that deserve to part of any collection.  Also, if you like muscle cars you need to check out their website . www.riverpointstation.com  I encourage any modeler that would like to purchase any one of the RPS’s future releases listed on their website,  to tell your dealer/retailer to place an advanced order.  If your local dealer does not carry River Point Station, ask them to become a dealer.  I would like River Point Station to develop a bed/body (utility, flat, tow and dump beds) line to augment their Ford F Series.

This Boley Navistar has a diecast cab with a plastic chassis and body.  I added a Dennis Aust tool box mounted on the frame and replaced the winch with a Dennis Aust unit.  I will drill a few holes in the bed and add a cable with chains and hooks.  A few other details that I added and overall the vehicle is complete.

This Athearn Kenworth tractor is nearly complete.  I removed the sleeper, which was glued to the chassis from the factory and the fuel tanks.  I added a Dennis Aust cab protector and fuel tank.  I replaced the duel exhaust stacks with a single stack from the parts box.  Again the stacks were glued from the factory onto the cab.  I used the glue marks as a template and drilled holes on the drivers side and inserted a grab rail.  I created the turn signal lamps on the fenders.  I like this model but I don’t like the appearance of the chassis from an over head view ( I will have to post a picture later).  I  plan to apply either Plano diamond plate or stainless steel to the chassis.  www.planomodelproducts.com  I will post passenger side, rear and overhead pictures later after I added some more detail. This vehicle was planned to be mated with the lowboy trailer from Promotex.  I have two of these trailers, I modified the rear of one and the other is still new in the box.  After receiving the trailers, I just don’t care for them.  I will attempt to continue to work on the one trailer to satisfy my desire of it’s appearance and the other one is available for sale.

This is Athearn’s John Deere Grader.  A very well detailed vehicle.  It is lacking some minor details.  I added the two work lights just above the front windshield.  I still have yet to look at some prototype pictures to get an idea of the hydraulic lines and if I will add amber flashers and additional work lights.  It is my understanding that Athearn does not hold the John Deere license, thus no future John Deeres will be offered by Athearn.  www.athearn.com  I hope that Athearn will be able to continue their construction equipment line in 1-87 scale.  I give high marks to Athearn on their John Deere equipment.  I have emailed them suggesting to them to explore Ford’s heavy equipment line from the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.  I personally would like an offering from that era of a Ford 555 loader/backhoe.

This is one of three Herpa Mack CH dump trucks I have.  This is one of two dump bodys that was custom built by the late Lyle Noah for me.  I added some minor additions to the body.  I created the rear mudflap holders, the front splash guard behind the fuel tank and the rear corner posts, where the wood plank fits.  I am working on the rolled tarp that will be fitted to the cab protector.  This vehicle will not be weathered, as it represents a truck that is meticulous care for by the operator.

This is my second truck body that I scratch built.  I started with an Atlas Ford tractor, Custom Finishings pewter welder and Plastruct styrene.  I used a lot of different manufactures for the details on the vehicle.  So please feel free to ask about any specific detail that you may have a question about.  Overall I was pleased with the appearance of the utility body.  I still have a problem with cutting the styrene square.  I use the Chopper II but can’t get 90 degree cuts.  I would like to replace this body with a similar style, but hope that I can make square cuts.  I would gladly accept any guidance in the hopes of making square cuts and improving my modeling skills.   Look for future posts on this vehicle as I plan to replace the tires and wheels, and change the ladder on the top of the body.  I also plan to complete a water truck and a fuel-lube truck. Whether I make my own fuel-lube body depends on a new arrival in the 1-87 scale retail.  I believe the gentleman’s name is Jack.  He has a lot of unique announcements on his web page www.jctworld.us  So far most of his offerings have been on ebay.  I have not heard much feedback about his products or any reviews.  I did email him asking a few questions but have not had a reply.   I am interested in the the fuel-lube body,  I would also like to see him add a Jerr-Dan self loading wheel lift to the Hauler bodies and  a contractor/utility body to fit the River Point Stations Ford F series.

This Dennis Aust Kenworth cab I finished a year or two ago.  I mounted it to a Herpa chassis and added the Kibri tow body.  This is the only Dennis Aust cab I have modeled.  I found his casting to be excellent.  Not only is the cab included in the kit, but he also includes battery box, fuel tank, air tank, air breathers and other miscellaneous parts. www.dennisaust.com  I detailed the cab by adding A-line windshield wipers and rear-view mirrors.  I used clear plastic to create the windshield.  In this particular model the windshield is relatively flat, so I had little trouble inserting the clear plastic. When I completed the vehicle and I use the term “completed” loosely here, because I find myself looking at prototype vehicles and noticing something that I would like to add to my vehicles.  So like this model and many of my others, I may refer to them as completed but I seem to want to add something later.  Recently I added the turn signal lights and marker lights on the front fenders.  On the Kibri tow body I added four work lights.  The work lights came from Sheepscot Products www.sheepscotscale.com they are actually headlights, even though they are a little larger then what is commonly used, but the effect here I believe is achieved.  I used fine wire that I twisted together to give the effect of cable on the wrecker boom.  As I like this tow body I would like to be able to find or know of a rotator wrecker and a heavy duty wrecker in a single axle version.

This is an Athearn Grader.  Without hydraulic lines and work lights and headlights, this replica just does not seem quite done. Sometime soon I will be posting an update once I have added these details for you to do a comparision.