By Fred Hendricks
Note: This feature is in the April TT&C 2017 issue.
Note: This feature is in the April TT&C 2017 issue.
 Click to view electronic issue.  Gene Gregory behind his masterpiece, a highly detailed, scratch-built, radio-controlled Peterbilt truck in 1/4 scale. Note: The truck can be raised and lowered via hydraulics. This convenient platform provides convenient access for work. | Gene Gregory has scratch built scale models for nearly 20 years, but his latest creation has set a new standard for quarter-scale radio-controlled trucks. The Loudonville, Ohio, builder’s first endeavor was a limited-edition Silver King pedal tractor. Over the next several years, he built an additional 10 pedal tractors. Gene is a fanatic about realistic features, so each subsequent model became even more detailed. Those associated with collecting pedal tractors agree that Gene’s crafted tractors set a new and challenging standard. Through the course of building pedal tractors, Gene gained a new focus. Although the pedal tractors were limited editions, he desired one-of-a-kind scale models for his personal collection. And, Gene wanted to operate them. “Building pedal tractors got to be a job. I wanted my scale model work to be enjoyable. I wanted to build something that was unique and strictly mine. I also wanted to take the model outside and be able to operate it. Scale model engines can be temperamental, so I decided to build something different and make them radio-controlled,” he recounted. Gene’s first highly detailed creation was a radio-controlled (RC) John Deere 8020 diesel farm tractor he built in 2006. Following that masterpiece, Gene built a John Deere 5010 diesel with a John Deere pan used for construction work. He then built a CAT D5N bulldozer on a high track. These were all scratch built in 1/4 scale. Vision for a big rig Through crafting those three pieces, Gene had covered a wide gamut—a tractor for farm use and two model construction units. He began visualizing something a little different. “I had been looking for something to build when I saw two Peterbilt trucks on a calendar at a local business. The trucks had the signature Peterbilt long nose that sets them apart from other big rig trucks. That picture caught my fancy, so I considered building a radio-controlled version in 1/4 scale. Soon, I noticed a Peterbilt 379 day cab parked next to a gas station/convenience store in the nearby community of Hayesville. I thought the truck would be easy to fabricate, so I focused on that truck model,” Gene noted. Gene then gathered his camera, tape measure and notepad and planned a visit to study the truck. “I thoroughly examined the underside of the truck, including the steering. I also noted details top to bottom and front to rear. I do not make sketches or drawings before I start building. However, I took over 50 pictures and made countless measurements. These were necessary references as I began constructing the Peterbilt in 1/4 scale,” he commented. To read the rest of this story, subscribe to TT&C at: http://www.toytrucker.com/subscriberenew.html or buy the online version at: http://toytrucker.epubs.forumprinting.com/publication?m=26494&l=1 |
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