Here's a different view of Jim Groeneweg's terrific Italeri Western Star 5964SS Atlas Van Lines truck tractor and trailer. The tractor has an Athearn frame (to get the proper stance) and A-Line front wheels, Herpa rear wheels along with the Itelari fifth wheel and all remaining detail items are from the Italeri "kit"! Side fairings were lengthened by making molds of the originals and casting and splicing two together. Atlas colors were applied to the "Star" using the base/clearcoat system.

The trailer is a Con-Cor Route 66 model just adding "low-pro" wheels from the Herpa drop deck, Italeri tires (not used on the tractor), safety stripes form A-Line and, finally, clearcoated to match the tractor's finish. All chrome is Alclad II "Polished Aluminum" except the grille/bumper which is Bare Metal Foiled to detail it with black-wash. First shown in Photo Gallery 117.

Posted May 8, 2003