PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 This is something I have wanted to do for ages, then a First Gear International Utility bucket truck turned up on eBay Turns out the sellar was in Ipswich, the item ended with no bids and after couple of emails I got the truck for a good price (from someone I went to school with 20 odd years ago ) Here's a picture of the truck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 The first job was to get the Siku Unimog stripped down so I could work out how to stretch the chassis. I used the Limited Edition white one as when they came out the only reason I got the white one was for this conversion, hoping to find a First gear truck with a white Altec body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 Next I set about lengthening the chassis with brass,evergreen and plasticard= what I had Please note the chassis is in no way like a unimog but is made to suit the bodywork and won't be seen when the conversion is complete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 Back together awaiting the body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 This part of the First Gear bodywork required no modification Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 The rest of the body needed work because the body was off a highway truck and the Unimog has high ground clearance the stabilisers weren't close enough to the ground \ Then with the front stabilisers dropped down lower on the chassis the bartro support the boom in transport was lower than the cab Plasticard and brass again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 On the rear section of the body I removed the mounting lugs and cleaned off the paint where the section will be glued to the main body and also under the rear chassis protrusion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 This is how it stands now It needs a bit of paint here and there and I was going to paint the cab to match the body but i'm now thinking of getting some E.on decals made for it \ Will also add mirrors, upright exhaust etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 So.......what do you guys think???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deere-est Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I flipping love it!! What a truly excellent idea mate. You kept that one quiet :) :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 I flipping love it!! What a truly excellent idea mate. You kept that one quiet :) :) I have wanted to do it for a few years mate and i've bid on several First Gear trucks but they seem to make upwards of £40 If I go down the e.on route i'm tempted to do a diarama with a pole and a van etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deere-est Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 A Pole? What, from Turners of Poland?!! :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 A Pole? What, from Turners of Poland?!! :laugh: Just fell off my chair :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 Look carefully and you'll find an International 4400 chassis cab in a good first gear box on eBay tomorrow night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1/32 farmer Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 now thats ffffff brill paul :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmersam Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 That looks really nice what you've done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractorman810 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 very tidy paul, the western power ones down here have dual buckets fitted to the arms, one each side, all radio controled for operation, no levers in the bucket or on the unit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenside MF Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Yeah check it out,nice and unusual is that chief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 very tidy paul, the western power ones down here have dual buckets fitted to the arms, one each side, all radio controled for operation, no levers in the bucket or on the unit The Eastern Electricity ones I used to service had twin buckets too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 Just about got this finished now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 In action Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDC Posted June 30, 2011 Author Share Posted June 30, 2011 More Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 I love that Paul.. spot on mate that is... I'm looking forward to seeing this in a diorama with the poles too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
convo Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 looks good Paul with the white cab ,i think if it was all orange it might look a bit to much , some utility stickers on may be ,,the same colour orange on a clear patch would work ,the first gear stuff is great but they all based on American motors ,, but looks really good and different and you know how much i like different ;) or buy the way if you need some poles i know where there are some and they cheep and they will do the job , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deere-est Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Paul that is outstanding! I love it, something different and something totally new. Hmmmmm I wonder what the elec supply at Leverets Farm is like. . . may have to get the lines tested. .. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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