The D9H was the last version of the D9 series prior to the introduction of the elevated sprocket design. Its power came from a turbocharged Caterpillar D353, an after-cooled six-cylinder engine producing 410 flywheel horsepower.

To maximize the application of this power the D9H came standard with pinned equalizer bar suspension, pilot hydraulic implement system, sealed and lubricated track (SALT), combined braking and steering controls and power-shift transmission.

The model will be produced in 1:24 scale and will measure an impressive 15” long, 7.25” wide by nearly 7” tall.

A fully detailed operator’s cab, positionable ripper and blade, opening cab and a fully detailed engine are just some of the details that will be included on the model. More than 200 individually cast and hand soldered parts will be used in each replica.

All models will be individually serial-numbered and will include a serialized machine brochure to certify authenticity.

Production will be limited to 150 models. At this time the price has not been set. Progress photos, dimensional details, pricing and delivery information will be updated as it becomes available on Classic Construction Models.

The post Model Announcement: Caterpillar D9H Track Type Tractor appeared first on Classic Construction Models.

Models will be shipped in order of receipt of payment, so, if you haven’t already, make sure to call in and take care of payment at your earliest convenience.

(503) 626-6395

The post Cat<sup class='superscript'>®</sup> 983B Track-Type Loader Models Have Arrived at CCM appeared first on Classic Construction Models.

Classic Construction Models is pleased to announce our latest 1:24 precision scale brass model, the Holt 75 Tractor & 8-Inch Howitzer. This set represents an incredible historic machine crafted in the highest possible quality and detail, rare in both subject and execution.

The Machine:
The use of track-type tractors such as the Holt 75 during World War I provided the Allies with a dependable and powerful way to
move munitions and provisions across the difficult and sometimes near impossible battlefields of Europe. With its 75 hp gas engine and endless-track propulsion it was able to move large field pieces such as the Vickers Mark VI howitzer faster and further than a team of horses or mules. Firing an 8-inch round this artillery piece’s effectiveness was greatly enhanced by the mobility provided by the tractor. By war’s end, thousands of these units were being used by the Allied forces. In concert, these machines were instrumental in bringing an end to the conflict.

The Model:
Honoring the original machine and howitzer combination, each of these model sets is hand-assembled from hundreds of pieces and hand painted in period military colors. All the features of the real Holt 75 tractor have been replicated in exquisite detail, from control levers to engine bolts. The Vickers Mark VI howitzer, created from drawings drafted by CCM from historical records, has the same attention to detail as the tractor, with its bolt-studded carriage, brake gear, adjustment wheels – including rifling of the barrel. Almost everything is articulated from the traverse and elevation, rolling wheels, recoiling barrel to the working breech. All models are individually serial numbered.Approx. 25″ L, 5″ W, 6″ H

Overall approximate dimensions are 25″ long, 5″ wide, 6″ tall. This extremely limited edition model will be created in the number of 33 pieces, at a price of $5995.00 each.

You must contact us immediately if you wish to purchase, as these are limited to a precious few. When they are sold out we will never make the same model again, and it will become history itself.

Email: sales@ccmodels.com

Phone: 503-626-6395, Monday – Friday | 8am – 5pm Pacific Standard Time

The post Model Announcement – Holt 75 Tractor & 8-Inch Howitzer appeared first on Classic Construction Models.

We are so excited about our 1:48 scale Cat 349E L model that we couldn’t help but share some images of the project’s progress. Here is a rare look at the first test castings out of the tooling, commonly known as the first shot.

Important to keep in mind is that these pieces have not yet been cleaned and polished for painting or had any prep for assembly. Most are still on the mold trees, which are the channels through which the molten metal or plastic runs when the parts are cast. These parts will be assembled into the test shot models that will allow us to see how the finished product will look and move. It’s never perfect on the first go, and changes and adjustments will usually be made.

We know you wait patiently for our models to come to completion, but we feel sharing some of the process will make the wait worth all the more.

The post Behind the Scenes – Cat 349E L first shot parts appeared first on Classic Construction Models.

Although they might seem inconsequential at first glance, the markings and paint on a scale model are like icing on a cake.  When they are right, they enhance the enjoyment of the final product. When they are wrong, they can have a negative impact disproportionate to their size. At CCM we seek the most realism we can achieve in our models and that includes these tiny details. In this Behind the Scenes installment we will look at some of the challenges in this part of our process.

Model numbers, company logos, warning labels, and safety callouts—all are markings commonly seen on the real machines. For modern equipment, the placement and specifications for these are usually straightforward and easy to come by, as manufacturers such as Caterpillar have digital artwork that we can reduce to the proper scale.

A Cat 777 Haul Truck on location where we conducted our machine survey. Not many markings left on this one.

Vintage machines are the real challenge. Construction and agricultural equipment sees hard use, and over the course of forty or fifty years warning labels face a life of abrasion, fading from the sun, and other abuse. If an old machine gets repainted, those factory-adhered labels are almost never re-applied. Most often it is only the machine numbers that find their way back on a fresh coat of paint. For this reason, the amount of research we have to do to find accurate references for a piece of vintage equipment can be substantial. Old brochures, antique photos, and surveys of existing machines are all necessary.

In the case of our model of the Caterpillar No.12 motor grader, we were lucky to be able to refer to our vast in-house archives of vintage product brochures and sales sheets. Cross referencing this with our machine survey and other photos, we were able to create accurate markings for a machine that is well over sixty years old.

We were lucky to find a rare original label on this old No.12 for reference.

Markings are applied to the surface of our models with a process known as pad printing, often called “Tampo” printing after the leading manufacturer of the equipment. A soft silicone pad stamps a layer of paint on the model in a precise movement, as well as fine registration. This allows for a very crisp graphic that can wrap over a curved surface. Here is a link to examples of various Tampo techniques.

A paint and Tampo guide provided to our manufacturer for our upcoming Cat 16M Motor Grader cab interior.

Before the markings are placed, however, the model first needs a coat of paint matched to the manufacturer’s standard. Next to the company logo, there is nothing more they want to see properly executed on a scale model of their machines. Company colors are an integral part of their brand and manufacturers hold us to a very high standard for proper matches which includes their final approval for both current and vintage colors on our models.

As many enthusiasts know, Caterpillar yellow has changed over the years. The original “Hi-way Yellow” introduced in the 1930’s needed to change to meet the growing environmental requirements introduced in the 1970’s. In 1979 Caterpillar made the decision to modify the color that had been famous for over 47 years to the current Caterpillar “honey yellow”. Although the new paint color is strictly controlled, there was often some variation in the old Hiway Yellow from year to year, manufacturing locations, and paint formulations.

We hope this information is helpful and gives you a better understanding of the process we follow to create the world-class scale models our collectors treasure so highly.

The post CCM Behind the Scenes: Markings and Paint appeared first on Classic Construction Models.

The model comes in a collectors box and includes an individually serial-numbered machine brochure reproduction as certificate of authenticity. See more model details here.

Available for shipping in early December. To order yours, give us a call at 503-626-6395.

The post Model Announcement: Cat PL87 Pipelayer appeared first on Classic Construction Models.

When our 3D files are sent to the manufacturer they must complete the tedious and time consuming process of reviewing the files and making revisions. This can take up to a month as they must ensure the drawings represent parts that can be made in the next step of production which is tooling.

Once the drawings are  reviewed and approved they are used to make the tooling and from that tooling comes our first hand sample. Depending on the end product, that sample could be a resin rapid prototype printed on a 3D printer, a “first shot” in die-cast metal or a completed model in brass. At this stage the sample is usually not painted to allow us a closer examination of the overall quality. At this point, we check to make sure pistons hold position, wheels or tracks turn smoothly and the overall appearance of the model is correct.

Given the complexity of our models, it’s not uncommon to find that something has been overlooked or misinterpreted at this time. Above is a photo of the 992C Wheel Loader hand sample. You’ll notice the first version of the handrails in plastic that were later changed to metal because they didn’t meet our standards. If you look closely you’ll also see the winged foot in the Good Year logo on the tires is missing. When our review is complete we send our comments back to the manufacturer and wait for them to make the changes and send us another sample.

In the picture above you can see how the cylinders were painted along with the rest of the machine. Obviously not acceptable. Other changes required on these models included adjusting the hinge mechanisms on the bucket and filling a hole on the stick of the front shovel that was in the drawings but not on the real machine.

When the second sample arrives we again conduct a very rigorous and thorough inspection. This model will have full paint and markings which must be inspected and reviewed and at this point little things like the silver paint on the model above get noted and corrected. At this time, we typically receive a sample of the packaging to ensure it meets the required standards.

We understand the time line for the completion of a model is a long one—up to year in most cases—and although we wish it could be shorter, the reality of the work required to make a high-quality, limited edition model is always going to be laborious. Despite the challenges, we are addicted to the reward that comes when you tell us all our work was worth the effort as you simply love your CCM models.

In our next “Behind the Scenes” we’ll take a look at getting the machine markings on the models

The post CCM Behind the Scenes: Model Samples appeared first on Classic Construction Models.