Jim B

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.

Great job all around!

That's really sweet!

Thanks, guys. Brian, no scale cows, but the farm next door to me has 500 milking head. Does that count? Robert, thank you for the compliments on the Astro. I cannot take complete credit for the pait job on the cab. I picked the colors & the scheme; but a friend of mine painted it & added the thin white vinyl stripes. I did do the steerable front axle, and swapped out the spokes & spring suspension for the disks & air ride from the GMC General. I also added KFS P/E windshield wipers & stacks. The 1/4 fenders are from the GMC General as well.

That's the look I was going for. It's pretty close.

Glad you guys like it. Took me a while to figure out how to make those pulleys.

Thanks. Sort of gives it that Midwest look.

Thanks for the info. That validifies me using a Crackerbox; now I just have to find one. Oh, well, no rush I guess. I do have a Diamond Reo C-11664DFL that I could use, though.

So, in between a couple of other projects, I managed to finish my 1975 Wilson livestock trailer. Like most of my builds it's basicaly box-stock with a couple of add-ons. The finish is Dupli-Color Bumper Chrome, and the decals are from Model Express. I swapped out the spokes for some chrome disks, and added some Plaskit wheel hubs. I replaced the "wood" roll-up door with a "metal" one, and added a pulley system to raise the door. No, it doesn't actually work. The spare tire is from the parts box, and I added a pulley system to this as well. This doesn't work either. Not sure what happened with the close-up pic. Looks like the camers focused on the house in the background instead of the trailer. I haven't decided on a dedicated tractor yet. I was thinking of either this one, a GMC Crackerbox with a Detroit Diesel 6-71, or a Dodge LVT1000 with a 8V71. Not sure, but it does look good with the Astro!