I am a lazy bum, so I always try to find shortcurts in my modelling projects. And sometimes projects dont seem to justify a lot of modelling time. The little bus project outlined in this thread (http://www.finescalerr.com/smf/index.php?topic=2553.0) is such a project. I decided to base a model on a Ford/GAZ AA truck that has quite similiar wheels to the REO chassis. I have ordered a plastic kit and some resin wheels from track48 (http://www.track48.com)
But then I thought I might find some 3D models floating around in interspace, and I did a search at 3Dwarehouse (https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com). this is a HUGE archive of Sketchup models available for download (its free!)
And lo and behold, I found a very nice 3D model of a Ford/GAZ AA truck:
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.folk-rovere.org%2Fmj%2Fbilder%2FGAZAA.jpg&hash=8c01c5351450b9ef74fb7e35bd10a3af45ac1b03)
I have just had a quick look at the model in SU, but it looks very well made. I think it would be possible to get a lot of printable parts from that model, and of course I can print it to exact 1/45 wich is our scandinavian flavour of 0-Scale.
I have not checked out the licensing of the models, but at least for non-commercial projects you can do what you please with the models.
If you print the truck or its parts please show the results. Using SketchUp and a printer to produce the kind of model we all might use is the most accurate way to evaluate the state of the art. -- Russ
I am sure in your search you ran across TurboSquid and some of the other 3d warehouse sites. Some if those have extreme detailed and thorough models. Some of them cost (especially the extreme detailed and accurate ones) but there are so free ones. One thing I have noticed on many models anywhere....and it makes sense, as these are generally meet to be viewed not printed, is that sheet metal surfaces (such as the hood and cab on your GAZ) tend to be only one pixel thick...IE it is a basic 2 sided surface with no thickness....so printing them is an issue.
I have been looking around there but most of the files are not for "us" or worse than mine! (that's saying a lot!).
Then;
I looked for lampshades for the machine shop and found a good one.
I downloaded it, removed the lightbulb and cord and up loaded it.
Once I uploaded it I was able to scale it to my needs and it's ready to print!
https://www.shapeways.com/model/upload-and-buy/3396332
I need to put several on a sprue to save some money.
-Marty