Kitbashed Vehicles by Carl McAbee

All photos are copyright © Carl McAbee; used by permission.

Dump Truck

The cab is a modified GearBox Collectibles' Kenworth truck, from which he removed the sleeper compartment, the air foil, and the decals. He added the CB antennae. The hardest part of the project, according to Carl, was matching the cab's paint, which in this case turned out to be pure black (not any other shade).

The dump body was from a Tonkin Replicas model. The cover mechanism is from a First Gear model. Carl then added the chains and pins to prevent the gate from opening too far when the content were unloaded. This model is designed to carry gravel.

Water Truck

Using many parts from his parts bin, Carl constructed this model of a water truck. The mirror and hose holders were made out of brass. Parts that are hard to see are the mudflaps and the pump to fill the tank. The large vertical "arm" around the body allow the truck to be pushed by heavy equipment. The water sprayers are visible near the bottom rear of the model.

Hartoy Super-detailing Projects

Carl modified this Hartoy 1948 Ford F-5 box van truck by adding mirrors, mudflaps, marker lights, and he shortened the box.

The next photo shows another Hartoy 1948 Ford F-5 truck which was modified by adding mirrors, and the addition of an Ertl utility body, but there is more.

The back of that model shows the addition of a tool box, a pintle hitch, and taillights.

A Hartoy Mack CJ truck was modified to become a working dump truck. Carl says that the only thing remaining on this model is the installation of mirrors.

Spec-Cast Trailer

Using a stock SpecCast Collectibles flat trailer, Carl added the drop deck and the angled back. After doing all that work, on the very day that he completed his model, Die Cast Promotions announced an identical model that was even more detailed! Of course!

Norscot Scale Models Log Loader Grapple

This was a Norscot Scale Models Caterpillar 950F Wheel Loader model where Carl removed the bucket and made into a log loader grapple. The wheels are from an Ertl machine. Note the single headlight at the top of the cab.

Around the back he added taillights, a slow-moving-vehicle sign, a screen protector for the window, and lots of chains.