The past few months I have certainly had no shortage of projects on my desk and workbench, but finding one worth writing about for my article this month has been a challenge.  Fortunately, I found a “pinch hitter” of sorts, practically in my own back yard.  Many of you have probably seen a few pictures of the 1/64 scale Case IH STX Accusteer custom posted by “hector” on Toy Talk.  This tractor is the work of Hector Matthys of Peoria, IL.  Hector’s interest in farm toys comes naturally from his upbringing on a farm in southern Minnesota.  His background in engineering is also evident in the meticulous way he has practically rebuilt this model from the ground up.  After seeing this model at the St. Louis Toy Show, I convinced Hector to let me share this project with the TTT readers. 



At first glance all of the Case IH STX tractors might appear identical.  However, the two smallest members of the family, the STX 275 and 325 have some subtle differences that make them unique.  The proportions of these two models are slightly smaller than those of their higher horsepower brothers.  These two models also are available with the Accusteer option, which allows the front frame to pivot independently of the rear for improved steering capability.  While these differences are small enough that many collectors might be satisfied with creating the models by simply changing the decals from one of Ertl’s larger STX models, that wouldn’t have satisfied someone with an attention to detail like Hector.  He set out to create a model that accurately captured these small design characteristics.



Before starting this project, Hector did his homework.  He photographed and took measurements from several real STX 275 and 325 tractors.  Based on that information, he determined what he needed to do to an Ertl STX 375 kit to make it into an Accusteer model.  Hector decided that making his own frame from scratch would be the best foundation for his model.  He constructed a frame from styrene and designed the hinges to accurately reproduce the articulation characteristics of front and rear articulation joints of a real Accusteer STX. 

With the frame completed, Hector began adding the rest of the details to his STX.  He completed the rear structure of the tractor by modifying the side plates and fenders from the 375 kit and mating them with the styrene frame.  He also reused the front fenders from the 375 after some fairly extensive modifications.  For the fuel tank and steps beneath the cab, Hector opted to build them from scratch out of styrene plastic. 




One of the most obvious differences in appearance between the smaller and larger STX models is their hoods.  On the smaller models the hood is shorter and narrower.  Not surprisingly, this detail was not lost on Hector.  He cut the STX 375 hood off of the rest of the Ertl model.  He then cut material off of the cab end to make it shorter, and removed material from around the center seam to make it narrower.  He also used the lower part of the nose from the 375 kit and modified it to match the hood and fit the front frame. 

Although it would have been easy to stop there, Hector went one step farther and made it so that the front grill would open and the hood would tilt up.  A strip of styrene is pinned at one end to the hood and at the other just in front of the engine to allow the hood to be tilted upward.  Another small styrene strip is attached to the back of the grill and hinged to one side of the hood to allow it to swing out.  These two details alone garner their fair share of attention from people that see the completed model, and they are no less amazing after seeing how they are accomplished.