International Transtar II 1/25 Model Kits plus

[@captainmorgan1107]

Owner operator and fleet truck specs, both look fantastic! I can remember when almost every cabover I'd see on the east coast was either a Transtar, a Mack F model or a White Freightliner. Every once in a while a KW or Pete but they were still mainly west coast trucks back then.

[@JohnsRailroad]

I agree with you on this. West coast also had the long frames.

[@john4886]

Nicely done 1/25 scale semi truck model's,they will look great on a book shelf.

[@JohnsRailroad]

Thanks 👍

[@PP-ob8zr]

Looks good. I did this model a while ago. It would be my favorite truck n model

[@JohnsRailroad]

I have a few more of those yet to build. I’m sure it won’t be long till they re-issue those again.

[@davebrunette6394]

Love the transtar cabovers! You do a great job building them! I have a couple of the AMT Round 2 kits, 4070A, but I wish I could find a transtar 2 kit. The transtar 2 is the only big rig I have ever driven.

[@JohnsRailroad]

Glad you like them! I do think they will release them again. They are on Ebay allot to.

[@wayneburnett5942]

3 great lookin Trucks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JohnsRailroad]

Thanks!

[@paulkruper9139]

Nice “clean” builds on those Transtars!

[@JohnsRailroad]

Thanks! I will be loading many more Internationals and a few others.

[@troydowning3302]

Nice job

[@JohnsRailroad]

Thanks! FYI: I built this 17 years ago and kept it in a clear case and it is still mint and dust free as are all my models.

[@markward413]

Did you shorten the frame on this? Seen the 4070a and the transtar II frames and some show a longer frame with a large gap from the fuel tank to the first set of duelies.

[@JohnsRailroad]

Yes I did and there are quite a few other minor mods done to.

[@pierreveilleux7783]

Hello John, congratulations, your models are very well built ! So, as you are the specialist for building those transtar cabover, i have a question for you as I have one Transtar II that I am actually building. Does the front axle need to be shortened not to have tires sticking out of cab or is it ok stock from the kit ? Is there some modifications/adjustements that need to be made to this kit that would not be prototypical or hard to fit (I read the battery box should be moved backward a little ) ? Thanks for your help/advices !

[@JohnsRailroad]

Yes you are right. Having owned 5 real Transtar COEs the front axle is far from stick out beyond the cab. I always trim the axle 1/8'' to 5/16" of the factory size. I also move it forward just a touch. On the inside of the tran II I trim the bottom and center of the dash about an 8th as well. Dash is too high. The battery box is fine where it is if you move the front axle forward. I also trim the bumper mounts off the frame. They are too low. There is only a small gap between the bumper and grill. Same thing with the lower grill on the 4070a bottom grill. do not use the mounting tabs on the frame. On the transtar II the side steps are alway cab color not chrome. FYI on the Tran II Eagle the bottom paint color on the cab is the same as the frame color in most cases. went to dealers and seen this when I was young. Been around these trucks for 45 years. Just some quick things I can think of. Thanks

[@pierreveilleux7783]

@@JohnsRailroad Thank you very much for your tips and tricks. The small step on passenger side is supposed to be aluminium if I look at your model in this video ? It is first time I read about the dash being too high. I suppose , in this video, the dash have been modified ? ...Fortunately I still can modify it as it is not glued yet. I guess by doing this we have to get rid of the bottom part of the heating control buttons/lever. Someone else told me : '' I carved out the wheel where it contacts with the axle to bring the tires inboard.'' I feel this is an easier option if we don't care about wheels spinning. What you think about it ? Should I also heat the end of the axle to remove the small angle (which is the camber) and make it perpendicular with the ground ? Thanks again for your help John it is really appreciated. I took the liberty to send you an email.

[@esaujackson1155]

The one with the steering wheels was the last one I built before I went in the army in 1976

[@JohnsRailroad]

That kit has been my long time favorite since I started building as a kid in the 70s.

[@bumptiousq.bangwhistle9154]

These are amazing, John! Did you create the white pinstriping with tape?

[@JohnsRailroad]

Yes I did thanks.

[@howardburnham4249]

That's very nice

[@JohnsRailroad]

Thank you

[@janicedigiacomo7471]

Very nice build! I have this one and built the older Transtar 4070A before I went into the Navy in '74. Also had built the Watkins W925 and matching reefer. The Sunoco plated tanker was the other one I built and all were pretty much trashed by my destructive brothers by the time I got out 4 years later. I have a bunch in the attic yet to build. Just have to find time. How did you accomplish those clean lines between the white and red paints on the cab?

[@JohnsRailroad]

I use scotch tape and press it down tight. I have more these to build. I also have more than what you see here. I just have videotaped them yet. I also have 4-5 started in various stages. Thanks for checking them out. I am going to make some videos on how I paint them. Just have to get to it.

[@BornInTheCreek]

Where can I get a kit to build one of these Transtars?

[@JohnsRailroad]

Good question. I built this one 15 years ago. They were cheap and easy to get. Now they are on Ebay for crazy prices. I did here they will be reissuing them at some point. Just not sure when.

[@juanespinoza3688]

Where are the air coils for this model truck?

[@JohnsRailroad]

I must not have put them on. Thanks

[@juanespinoza3688]

@@JohnsRailroad Your model truck would look really awesome and very cool with air coils in the back!!!

[@JohnsRailroad]

Yes they would. I do not have any at this time..

[@juanespinoza3688]

@@JohnsRailroad Well thanks for the reply!!! Excellent model you have there!!!

[@kengriffith9289]

Where did you find your kit

[@JohnsRailroad]

I have had these for over 20 years. They re release them from time to time

[@richardw.leesr.109]

Very nice International cab over I have A 1/25 scale collection tractors and trailers brand new in the Box that I'm trying to sell

[@JohnsRailroad]

You can contact me with email through the community page. Send me pictures.

[@richardw.leesr.109]

@@JohnsRailroad I will be sending you pictures very soon Thank you for your interest

[@howardburnham4249]

Would you be interested in selling it?

[@JohnsRailroad]

I have never thought about it. Not sure.

[@janicedigiacomo7471]

Oh, and that's not my name. It's Marty DiGiacomo. And somehow my truck pic shows up there.

[@JohnsRailroad]

Thank you for looking at my models Marty. Another of my favorite hobbies.

[@catracho-zb4lw]

Como me gustaría tener una miniatura de estos transtar II International

[@JohnsRailroad]

Eu tenho algumas mini-previsões semelhantes a essas. Você sabe quem os vende além do ebay?