I recently picked up one of these kits and stumbled upon your video series. My dad actually drove one of these trucks for Hill & Hill back in the 70s-80s and I spent the better part of my early childhood climbing around in it. So just to give you a little history on these trucks: This semi was produced by Kenworth as a custom order from Hill & Hill Truck Lines (the decal in the kit) and Hill & Hill was the ONLY customer that Kenworth made these trucks for. Any one of these you see on the road today is a modified version of the Hill & Hill truck. The other decals in the kit are fictitious companies to give you other options for your build. The only way you would have seen one of these in real life is with a Hill & Hill emblem on the door. As for Hill & Hill, they were the largest oil field carrier in the US at the time, and this truck was built to run from Houston, Texas to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska hauling oil field equipment, which is what my dad did in his truck. Hill & Hill never hauled logging equipment, so to see you put a log trailer on it kind of broke my heart because it would have never taken place in real life (but that's just my biased opinion). These trucks all hauled flatbeds, lowboys and other heavy hauler trailers with various oil field equipment and machinery to help build the Alaska Pipeline, including hauling massive pipe sections. I know the kit box says "pair it with the log trailer", but it would have never hauled one. AMT just wanted to sell more log trailer kits. The trucks were originally named "The Moose Killer" because the tread plate front fenders, massive bumper and push guard and that massive head-ache rack were literally designed to take a direct blow of hitting a moose on the Alcan Highway. They later changed the name of these trucks to "Moose Catcher" due to pushback from environmentalists. But to my family, it'll always be the Moose Killer. 😉 My dad eventually became a "terminal manager" in Washington state for Hill & Hill, so the drivers would have a stopping point on the trip from Texas to Alaska. Hill & Hill went out of business in the early 80s when the owner passed away and his son went to Vegas and gambled the entire company off and forcing Hill & Hill to file bankruptcy, leaving us stranded in the greater Seattle area, where we still live today. I still own 3 of these kits from the first issue back in the 70s and I also have a photo album of my dad's old truck. We also have a picture of his truck, hooked to the company flatbed, with the company pickup truck and forklift on the flatbed ready to head back to Houston to be auctioned off after the bankruptcy. I plan on building mine with a flatbed and some large pipe sections and presenting to Pops as a gift.
Nice work! I just bought this kit and plan on using your build as a reference for mine. I think a lot of the parts are shared with AMTs Kenworth W925 kit. Hence the conventional hood, twin stacks and air cleaners, two shift sticks and driveline parts for a splicer transmission set. Using a thicker piece of the sprue, a little heat, and you can make your own crossover pipe for dual stacks 😊
Just found your channel tonight. I've already watched parts 1 and 2 of this build, and I really appreciate your honesty about the kit and the build process. I have to get up early for work in the morning, so I'll watch part 4 tomorrow after work. I'm looking forward to seeing this rig finished.
Nice Alaskan Hauler👍These are old molds so when assembling the chassis frame rails and braces you have to square it up. My front wheels use to be so loose it had extreme negative camber. I've since reattached the front wheels and its not so bad now .😊
This kit is based on the Kenworth W925 kit and all the parts for the W925 is still in this kit and the Alaskan Hauler parts are added to make it what it is, that's why you have so many extra parts. The parts you are told to modify and cut off is for the W925 wich have 2 stacks and 2 air cleaners, so the cross over pipe you didn't understand why you had to trim may interfere with the transmission because it's different from the transmissions used in the W925 kit wich had a main box and an auxillary box. But it should fit otherwise. The main things like the engine, chassis, cab and sleeper are the same for both kits so you have options to build it as you like without following the instructions completely.
This truck is #1 on my list of trucks I want to make. I haven't made a truck before and I really like the look of this one. There are a couple of others in the AMT range that I would like to build as well. I'm not bothered if I have to cut a few bits to fit. I've sent the last year building some 50 year old kits that my father finally decided he was never going to build. This one looks like a breeze in comparison to some of those old kits. I'll definitely be flling in those extra divets on the cab. I'm surprised the instructions didn't say to fill them, or that they weren't made filled in and you have to drill them out for the other kits that use the same moulds.
This is true. This kit compared to many AMT kits is a breeze. I have grown to appreciate these kits far more than when I started but I still dislike some things that could have been improved, like the holes that could have been filled in.
Really like the kit! I’m from logging county, excited to see your weathering! Those dimples for the second stack: just put a grab handle on there. The stack needs a flapper too…just my thinking. I just found your channel, good stuff!
You should look into a food dehydrator. I got lucky finding a box type with removable shelves, but if round, you can go to town on the shelves with your sprue cutters for tall parts. Good going on one of the "tougher" truck building kits. An easier one is the AMT KW 123 COE.
Nice work! You got through it, it sounds like it was quite a challenge with those inconsistent instructions. It is a cool truck, it looks so rugged with the diamond pattern steel fenders.
Yeah The instructions are always the problem with these kits... I know I always sound so negative and down on AMT kits but if you can work through the issues the final product is usually worth the headaches.
Nice build. I appreciate you sharing it with us. I picked this kit up at Hobby lobby a few days ago on sale. Looking forward to starting it. I understand your frustration with fitment issues. Typical AMT kit. My answer to that is building a Tamiya military kit between my AMT kits. No frustration there. They just fall together and help me keep my sanity. Lol!
I was struggling with this model, I came across yours, you have helped me a lot so far. I came to this one to see how you got the motor in, mine doesnt even come close to going in. looks like you cut it a little, cant really tell. 1:14
Thank you. I dont remember making any special mods to get the engine to fit but I do remember it was a struggle. I wish I could remember more but keep working on it, I promise it does fit and if you cant get it to fit without making mods, then start cutting. The great thing about these kits is if it doesnt fit, you can make it fit.
I have this same kit Alaskan Hauler. I opened the box glanced through the instructions, read through the section abut the dual exhaust being cut It made no sense to me so haven’t started yet But watching your video has made me more confident and in informed about building it. I’m a 80’s child my cousins and and uncle’s are truck drivers I’ve always worked at jobs where semi’s deliver and pickup loads of various cargo I’m thinking of painting the frame a metal color that I found in a hobby store it’s not chrome aluminum or flat iron steel colored but actually called metal Would this be to new of a color or should I stick with a more rustic authentic look I’m not a big fan of the black chassis look. What do you think? 14:03
Yeah the exhaust confused me as well... I hope I explained it well enough in the video that it helps. Just keep in mind that there will be a lot of left over parts with this one and even some modifications that the instructions arent clear on.
Thank you. I thought the same thing but this kit didnt come with hand rails... Of course the mold was used for several other kits so it is possible one of those other kits might have had hand rails.
I’m halfway through this kit, not my favorite. Half of it doesn’t make sense. Really don’t like how you can’t display the engine lol so many parts were missing, luckily I had files to print. Same I wouldn’t buy another but it’s coming out good.
I recently picked up one of these kits and stumbled upon your video series. My dad actually drove one of these trucks for Hill & Hill back in the 70s-80s and I spent the better part of my early childhood climbing around in it. So just to give you a little history on these trucks:
This semi was produced by Kenworth as a custom order from Hill & Hill Truck Lines (the decal in the kit) and Hill & Hill was the ONLY customer that Kenworth made these trucks for. Any one of these you see on the road today is a modified version of the Hill & Hill truck. The other decals in the kit are fictitious companies to give you other options for your build. The only way you would have seen one of these in real life is with a Hill & Hill emblem on the door.
As for Hill & Hill, they were the largest oil field carrier in the US at the time, and this truck was built to run from Houston, Texas to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska hauling oil field equipment, which is what my dad did in his truck. Hill & Hill never hauled logging equipment, so to see you put a log trailer on it kind of broke my heart because it would have never taken place in real life (but that's just my biased opinion). These trucks all hauled flatbeds, lowboys and other heavy hauler trailers with various oil field equipment and machinery to help build the Alaska Pipeline, including hauling massive pipe sections. I know the kit box says "pair it with the log trailer", but it would have never hauled one. AMT just wanted to sell more log trailer kits.
The trucks were originally named "The Moose Killer" because the tread plate front fenders, massive bumper and push guard and that massive head-ache rack were literally designed to take a direct blow of hitting a moose on the Alcan Highway. They later changed the name of these trucks to "Moose Catcher" due to pushback from environmentalists. But to my family, it'll always be the Moose Killer. 😉
My dad eventually became a "terminal manager" in Washington state for Hill & Hill, so the drivers would have a stopping point on the trip from Texas to Alaska. Hill & Hill went out of business in the early 80s when the owner passed away and his son went to Vegas and gambled the entire company off and forcing Hill & Hill to file bankruptcy, leaving us stranded in the greater Seattle area, where we still live today.
I still own 3 of these kits from the first issue back in the 70s and I also have a photo album of my dad's old truck. We also have a picture of his truck, hooked to the company flatbed, with the company pickup truck and forklift on the flatbed ready to head back to Houston to be auctioned off after the bankruptcy. I plan on building mine with a flatbed and some large pipe sections and presenting to Pops as a gift.
That being said, sorry if it came across negatively. I enjoyed your build series, thanks!
Nice work! I just bought this kit and plan on using your build as a reference for mine.
I think a lot of the parts are shared with AMTs Kenworth W925 kit. Hence the conventional hood, twin stacks and air cleaners, two shift sticks and driveline parts for a splicer transmission set.
Using a thicker piece of the sprue, a little heat, and you can make your own crossover pipe for dual stacks 😊
Just found your channel tonight. I've already watched parts 1 and 2 of this build, and I really appreciate your honesty about the kit and the build process. I have to get up early for work in the morning, so I'll watch part 4 tomorrow after work. I'm looking forward to seeing this rig finished.
Thank you
nice video marc the truck is looking good keep them coming buddy
Nice Alaskan Hauler👍These are old molds so when assembling the chassis frame rails and braces you have to square it up. My front wheels use to be so loose it had extreme negative camber. I've since reattached the front wheels and its not so bad now .😊
of all my AMT kits the front wheels on this one were the worst. But it all works out in the end.
It wants you to modify this kit a lot because it shares molds with amts older trucks like the Movin on and Watkins Kenworth W925 kits. Great job on it
Great 👍 job thank u for sharing keep on building
This kit is based on the Kenworth W925 kit and all the parts for the W925 is still in this kit and the Alaskan Hauler parts are added to make it what it is, that's why you have so many extra parts.
The parts you are told to modify and cut off is for the W925 wich have 2 stacks and 2 air cleaners, so the cross over pipe you didn't understand why you had to trim may interfere with the transmission because it's different from the transmissions used in the W925 kit wich had a main box and an auxillary box.
But it should fit otherwise.
The main things like the engine, chassis, cab and sleeper are the same for both kits so you have options to build it as you like without following the instructions completely.
I build models too relax not stress out thanks for the heads up
I dont know that I would call it stressed out though there were frustrations along the way. Over all it was a fun build.
This truck is #1 on my list of trucks I want to make. I haven't made a truck before and I really like the look of this one. There are a couple of others in the AMT range that I would like to build as well. I'm not bothered if I have to cut a few bits to fit. I've sent the last year building some 50 year old kits that my father finally decided he was never going to build. This one looks like a breeze in comparison to some of those old kits. I'll definitely be flling in those extra divets on the cab. I'm surprised the instructions didn't say to fill them, or that they weren't made filled in and you have to drill them out for the other kits that use the same moulds.
This is true. This kit compared to many AMT kits is a breeze. I have grown to appreciate these kits far more than when I started but I still dislike some things that could have been improved, like the holes that could have been filled in.
Really like the kit! I’m from logging county, excited to see your weathering!
Those dimples for the second stack: just put a grab handle on there.
The stack needs a flapper too…just my thinking. I just found your channel, good stuff!
Thank you
You should look into a food dehydrator. I got lucky finding a box type with removable shelves, but if round, you can go to town on the shelves with your sprue cutters for tall parts. Good going on one of the "tougher" truck building kits. An easier one is the AMT KW 123 COE.
Looking good!!!!!!!!
Nice work! You got through it, it sounds like it was quite a challenge with those inconsistent instructions. It is a cool truck, it looks so rugged with the diamond pattern steel fenders.
Yeah The instructions are always the problem with these kits... I know I always sound so negative and down on AMT kits but if you can work through the issues the final product is usually worth the headaches.
Ur right it’s a challenge, good video.
Nice build. I appreciate you sharing it with us. I picked this kit up at Hobby lobby a few days ago on sale. Looking forward to starting it. I understand your frustration with fitment issues. Typical AMT kit. My answer to that is building a Tamiya military kit between my AMT kits. No frustration there. They just fall together and help me keep my sanity. Lol!
I was struggling with this model, I came across yours, you have helped me a lot so far. I came to this one to see how you got the motor in, mine doesnt even come close to going in. looks like you cut it a little, cant really tell. 1:14
Thank you. I dont remember making any special mods to get the engine to fit but I do remember it was a struggle. I wish I could remember more but keep working on it, I promise it does fit and if you cant get it to fit without making mods, then start cutting. The great thing about these kits is if it doesnt fit, you can make it fit.
Nice truck.
Do it the way you want it
I have this same kit Alaskan Hauler.
I opened the box glanced through the instructions, read through the section abut the dual exhaust being cut
It made no sense to me so haven’t started yet
But watching your video has made me more confident and in informed about building it.
I’m a 80’s child my cousins and and uncle’s are truck drivers
I’ve always worked at jobs where semi’s deliver and pickup loads of various cargo
I’m thinking of painting the frame a metal color that I found in a hobby store
it’s not chrome aluminum or flat iron steel colored but actually called metal
Would this be to new of a color or should I stick with a more rustic authentic look
I’m not a big fan of the black chassis look.
What do you think?
14:03
Yeah the exhaust confused me as well... I hope I explained it well enough in the video that it helps. Just keep in mind that there will be a lot of left over parts with this one and even some modifications that the instructions arent clear on.
Hey I never built that model but I have a good idea that those holes on the side cab might be for a handrail that would make sense
Thank you. I thought the same thing but this kit didnt come with hand rails... Of course the mold was used for several other kits so it is possible one of those other kits might have had hand rails.
I bought the AMT Dump Truck n I had problems...I had to fabricate parts .....
I had similar issues with an amt dump truck as well... mostly its the bad instructions I have the biggest problems with,.
Its easir and cheapr for AMT to have the parts that you don;t need as most of their rigs are twin stacks. means only needing 1 set of moulds
I’m halfway through this kit, not my favorite. Half of it doesn’t make sense. Really don’t like how you can’t display the engine lol so many parts were missing, luckily I had files to print. Same I wouldn’t buy another but it’s coming out good.
Just picked one up. The instructions are pretty terrible
why not do a little internet research?