I
don't really know what King Kong RC is. In North America, they
are distributed by the same sources as Cross RC. I have heard
rumors that they are related to, or a subsidiary of, Cross RC, but there
is no direct evidence of that other than a similarity in design
approach and the aforementioned distribution sharing. In any case,
their trucks look pretty cool so I decided to buy one.King Kong RC calls this truck the CA-10, but it is apparently a scale model of the Soviet ZIS-150 introduced in the 1940's and produced for over 40 years. This, in turn, bears a striking resemblance to the International KR-11. King Kong's own promotional material suggests that these are both the same truck and that the KR-11 was sold to Russia, but I can't find any evidence that this is true. Is it merely a coincidence that they look so similar (but not identical), or did one of them copy the other? I'm not sure. The CA-10 designation was given to ZIS-150 models that were manufactured in China. Given the fact that King Kong RC is a CHinese company, it makes sense that they chose this moniker.
The CA-10 is a rear wheel drive truck with leaf spring and an open differential. If you know anything about trucks, you may surmise that this means it is pretty terrible off road. You would be correct. The slightest incline or obstacle will cause this truck to grind to a halt. On pavement or reasonably smooth ground though, it does very well. The cab is a hard body with a full interior, doors that open, a hood that hinges up on each side, and a real wooden bed in the back. The chassis uses a real steel ladder frame with huge leaf springs and solid axles. Add all of this together and you have a very realistic truck. I chose to finish mine as an old farm truck that has been rusting in a field for decades but has been "lightly restored" to working service. I put a lot of work into the finish and weathering. Mechanically the model is quite simple with a front mounted 540 motor and single speed transmission.
Update: This model was destroyed in the 2022 fire. It has not been replaced.
 Page 1: Building the Chassis |
 Page 2: Building the Body |
 Page 3: Final Photos |