DRIPTROIT 71

Nice clean build! Nice work!

Very different but very cool project! Excellent work!

That came out beautiful!! Excellent work!

Nice work Ken! I like the color!

Great looking build!

I really like what you have come up with here! Excellent work for sure!

Beautiful! Excellent work!

Thanks for the comments! Getting closer to the finish line.

This was my previous attempt at a MTFA cab. I built this one a little over 25 years ago.

Thanks

The later AITM cabs are much nicer and especially lighter than their MTFA ancestors. I had to reinforce the front axle with a metal truss on this one because the weight cambered the front wheels so badly.

I knew that you would have the answer. I guess this will go back to the parts drawer for a later project. No need for live pto on a furniture hauler.?

Alright guys I need some expert information on this one. On the left is the kit engine from the Cruiseliner. On the right is a resin one that I picked up somewhere, I think off of Ebay probably. Notice the extension on the bell housing. At first I thought that it was just extra resin from casting, but it appears to be there on purpose. Did Mack run some kind of brake saver like Cat did? If not, what is this supposed to represent? Does anyone have any pictures of the real thing?

The cab wasn’t mounted when that picture was taken. The entire cab is leaning backwards. I think that this might have caused it to look worse than it actually is. I’m working on the front hinge now.

Thanks Jim. No this is resin. I’ve had several M.T.F.A. Cabs over the years and they have all been resin. Dave really did a good job of cleaning these cabs up when he sold these. I have built a couple fiberglass cabs and the ones that I have had were very thin and very light. Jamar was one of the old fiberglass casters if I am not mistaken. The Road Commander that I added the aerodyne roof to is fiberglass and the R-190 International that I built was fiberglass. I don’t think that I have ever seen an old AIM cab in person.

Next project started. It is an old M.T.F.A. Cab. For those of you who have never used one of those, they are very thick and require a lot of grinding.

Very cool project! I’m looking forward to seeing more of this one. Great work so far. And yes, it always takes several kits to finish a project. I always end up with a ton of spare parts.

Thanks Jim! Thanks Warren! I had asked as well, maybe they were too tedious or something, but I’m glad that I was able to come across this one. Thanks Victor!! Thanks Gary!!

Very nice work!!

This is a resin cab from Jamie, Excellent quality by the way. It is on the Revell W900 wrecker chassis. The engine is the C-15 from Jamie. The fenders, breathers, rear bumper and swan are from Casey at Model Truck Builders. The front bumper is from Auslowe, but had to be narrowed some. The trailer is by Gary Wallace. From what I understand these are extremely rare. I purchased it off of Ebay from Anthony Natale. I’m guessing that it may have been from Dave’s collection? Paint is Tamiya TS-31 Bright Orange.

Looks great! I’ve been considering getting one of these myself, but was concerned about it being grainy. You did a great job on this one. Thanks for the info about your experience with it as well.

Thanks! I have some thin aluminum sheets that came from an aluminum plant in our area. I used the cast box covers from Jamie to shape these and just replaced the originals with the aluminum ones. The steps are resin covered with HVAC tape. I have used this aluminum to make dump beds and various other things as well. It is very thin and easy to work with.

I should have known that you guys were master train builders as well. I gave up my layout when the kids were small due to not having enough room. I sent what was left of my engines to my brother’s house for his layout. I do still have a box full of US-1 stuff though.

I have the truck mostly done. Now I’m on to the trailer.

Believe it or not, I ran into the same problem on my W900l. I didn’t have to make a very big dog house, but I did have to cut out the firewall and floor. Looking good!