Jim B

Ok, here is some information that I received from a guy who know a heck of a lot more about Mack than I do: "The first Cruiseliner (W series) came off the line in 1975, the last came of in 1983. There was and few years overlap with the Mack F model. Which confuses people to extend the Cruiseliner back farther than it was made. The AMT kit is a 1976 or 1977." You'll note I changed the title of this thread to conform to this new information.

I'm pretty sure the LoneStar, ProStar, & 9300ix use different cabs. I think I read that on here (someplace).

Make sure you wear your sunglasses! That's bright!

That's really nice!

Nope, I typed 1968 on purpose. I said that's the information that I have, I didn't say it was right. Edit: Now I did a little more research and I discoverd that in 1975 the Macungie plant opened to build the Cruise-Liner series until 1983. So, I guess the Cruiseliner debuted in 1975. Also, much of the information that I got for this build came from a 1977 Cruiseliner brochure, which would have hit the shelves in late 1976. I'm going to ask a Mack Expert I know just to be sure, though.

Thanks, guys.

This is the Revell of Germany W900. Is that what you mean, or the Revell USA W900 snap kit? The wood grain & gauges are a decal that comes in the kit.

Thanks.

Just so you guys don't think I've been a total slacker on this build, here are a couple of shots of the interior that I managed to complete between the Mack Cruiseliner & the livestock trailer.

Спасибо, Sergey. It's not the "Love Machine", but I'm happy with it. The information that I have on the Cruiseliner, that I got from someone who knows a lot more about Macks than I do, has the Cruiseliner debuting in 1968. Apparently there was a little overlap with the F-Series COE. I think the square grill (similar to the Superliner) was used on only the V8 Cruiseliners initially; then in 1977 or so it was used on all Cruiseliners.

Thanks, Mike. Unfortunately I didn't take any pics of the interior before I put it into the cab. Probably should have done that. I'll see if I can get anything throught the windows. Yes, the 1/4 fenders are from the AMT Kenworth K123 kit (I think). The gaskets around the windshield, door vents, & sleeper vents is Polly Scale (ex-Floquil) Grimy Black. I used it on the mudflaps, too. Looks like black rubber to me.

Thanks, Justin. In the future, the plan is to build a 20ft chemical tank container & trailer. Time will tell!

Thanks, Tim.

Thanks, guys.

Thanks, Mark. I actually have a AMT tank trailer done up in Amoco colors. I was thinking of taking it down to snap some pics with the Cruisliner, but everytime I touch the darn thing something breaks. Currently I don't even think the tank is cemented to the frame. It broke apart during the Fulton show last November!

Here's my inspirational pic that the Forum wouldn't let me post in the original thread: And a couple of pics of the passenger's side (wouldn't let me post them either):

So, what do you do when a paint scheme that you picked for a model has got you totally psyched out? Pick another paint scheme, right? No, of course not. You build another truck! And here it is: a 1976 Matlack Mack WS686S Cruiseliner! The build is box-stock with a couple of adds. I started with the Stevens International reissue of the AMT Mack Cruiseliner, swapped in some Plaskit Mack 6-spoke wheels, replaced the 11:00x20 tires in the kit for some 10:00x20, added a fifth wheel release handle made from a straight pin, added the 1/4 fenders from the parts box, converted it to a single exhaust, added the roof marker lights from the AMT Ford LNT8000, added the Matlack decals that I got from another modeler, and added a 1976 Pennsylvania license plate to the front bumper. That's really about it. The frame is Dupli-Color Semi-Gloss Black, the cab is Tamiya Racing Green TS-43, wheels are Testors Gloss Yellow 1214, the tanks are Dupli-Color Aluminum, and the engine/transmission is Tamiya Gold Leaf X12. Looks like my pogo stick is a little bent; have to remember to fix that. Hey! Who let the Dogs out?

I wouldn't eactly say the Mack R685ST is a particularly difficult kit to build, but it is your typical AMT kit - things sometimes just don't quite fit. The frame on mine has a slight pull to the right, and the Camelback suspension parts were a little finiky; but it came out ok in the end. Take your time, tripple check the fit; and you should be ok.

This is an ambitious project. Should be interesting.

Nice job. This is an interesting subject.

Very nice tribute. The buldings are perfect. Cab't say as I've ever seen Lower Manhattan that quiet (or clean). Tony, I think everybody remembers what they were doing when they saw the Towers fall. It's one of thise things when you see it, you never forget it. Sort of like my parents generation remembers exactly what they were doing when they heard that President Kennedy was shot. I have a bad feeling that we will see something like this again. These people aren't going away.

Nice backdrop. It adds something to the diorama. Makes a nice sceen.

That looks really nice. The outside pics are almost realistic.

Nice Paystar. Don't see too many Paystar tractors.

Very nice! Looks good with the flatbed.