Labatt's Peterbilt 378 in 1/24 scale

This model was built back in 2012-2013, combining parts from a number of Italeri kits and aftermarket items, to replicate tractor # 91541 and trailer # 31207, working from a photo by Gary Morton showing the rig parked along Resources Road where Labatt's Etobicoke brewery used to be located.

Italeri kits used:

Peterbilt 378 "Long Hauler"
Peterbilt 377 (cab sides, as the 1:1 truck had under hood air cleaner)
"US Wrecker Truck" (Ford LTL 9000) for Cummins style engine. I had this one on hand, any kit with that engine will work such as their "Superliner" or Freightliner FLC.
48' "American Reefer Trailer" for basic van body
"Container Trailer (40 ft)" for frame rails and spring ride suspension with wide axle spacing

Aftermarket parts used:

Vacuum formed trailer nose cone, trailer lift axle (x2), 6 spoke wheels with trailer oil hubs (4 sets as trailer is a "four legger"), air glad hands and trailer electrical plug, all from Plaskit of Quebec, Canada.

Etched Peterbilt emblems from Model Car Garage

Etched stainless mesh, Peterbilt oval pattern, Plano Model products part # 215

Micro-Mark rivet decals, O scale (these work out to be a very good match for 1/24 and 1/25 truck rivets)

Model Master Blue Angel blue and Canadian retailer Home Hardware's "Beauti-Tone" spray enamel "Brass" were the main paint colours used, along with Cummins Beige (actual engine paint in spray can). Yellow and blue stripes on trailer were cut from MicroScale coloured decal paper.

Decals were printed on Testors clear decal paper using ink jet printer, from artwork drawn on CAD. The Labatt's coin logo was also printed on clear decal paper using a photograph. Ink jet decals are not very opaque however when applied on the gold surface work acceptably well.

Kit suspension parts were used on tractor but relocated to match 72" drive axle spread used here in Ontario for some heavy spec applications for weight distribution. All other frame mounted components except front springs were also in different locations so all holes in frame were filled with styrene rod to create a "clean slate".

Wheels are not the slotted hole Peterbilt ones from kit but they are Italeri parts, round hole Alcoas from one of their "non-Pete" kits.

Italeri's 48 foot van isn't one of their better kits, as it is only about 12' high instead of 13' 6" and the vertical seam at middle of trailer is a near impossibility to fill and sand smooth. Fortunately, neither issue is a problem for this smooth sided trailer. Basic box was assembled, ribbed sides were sanded smooth with a belt sander (it worked well!) and sheet styrene sides of correct height were laminated onto the box.

A minor degree of modeller's licence was used in fitting deep frame rails from container trailer to van body - floor was recessed about 6 scale inches to put tires at correct height in relation to floor.

I believe photo of real truck was taken in the late 1990's or very early 2000's. In 2006 the Etobicoke brewery was closed and a Lowe's store is now located on that property. Although Resources Road is still there, Labatt's trucks are no longer seen on it and even the classic gold fleet is now painted a dark blue.

#italeri
#peterbilt
#bigrigtrucks
#scalemodeltrucks