Matlack R series Mack

[bitner]

This is my latest one. It's the original mid 70's issue of the R series Mack from AMT. I shortened the frame 1 inch and added quarter fenders in front of the drivers. I used Tamiya British Green spray paint for the main color and Radome Sand for the rims. I'm not sure if Matlack ever used air deflectors on their conventionals, but it looks good anyway.

[Semi Trailer Mechanic]

What's goin' on...

Very Nice!!!

That color green is perfect!!! When Stevens International reissued the R-Model Mack a couple years ago I used that to build a Matlack replica. A friend of mine had an old set of the Matlack decals that he let me have. I'd talked to a former Matlack driver and he gave me a little insight on how the trucks were equipped. To make it exact the truck (kit) needs to have a PTO,driveshaft,and a pump for loading/unloading the trailers. If I remember he said that the older R-models had the steel square tanks and most had the heavy duty Dayton drive hubs (six spoke) instead of the five. I wanted to show you my version. I too used Tamiya green but it's too bright and used a set of Plaskit aftermarket (six spoke) hubs. Seeing your truck and knowing the color green you used I almost want to strip the paint repaint it and find another set of Matlack decals and do it right.

WELL DONE!!!

Here's a couple pictures of my version. The last picture is a Peterbilt I scratchbuilt one of those pumps I had mentioned it's located behind the fuel tank.

[SpreadAxle]

I love the Mack. Both of you did a nice job. I wish I knew where I could get some Matlack decals. They had a terminal on Neville Island(just north of Pittsburgh) and when I was a teenager I used to cruise by there and check out their trucks. This truck brings back some good memories 4 me. Thanks for sharing.

[mackinac359]

Bitner

Very nice! Your choice of colors look good.

Tim

[Semi Trailer Mechanic]

I love the Mack. Both of you did a nice job. I wish I knew where I could get some Matlack decals. They had a terminal on Neville Island(just north of Pittsburgh) and when I was a teenager I used to cruise by there and check out their trucks. This truck brings back some good memories 4 me. Thanks for sharing.

What's goin' on...

Ray

Speaking of Matlack terminals there was one literally walking distance from my old townhouse. I applied there and was offered a job for a trailer mechanic. I turned the job down because it was union. I would have been hired for day shift but I could get bumped from that shift and any time because I would have had zero senority. At the time I had a second job at nights so running that risk was out of the question. Less than one year later Matlack shut their doors. Talk about dodging a bullet!!!

[Casey429]

Nice looking fleet rig. Mack R models always wear green well.

[SpreadAxle]

What's goin' on...

Ray

Speaking of Matlack terminals there was one literally walking distance from my old townhouse. I applied there and was offered a job for a trailer mechanic. I turned the job down because it was union. I would have been hired for day shift but I could get bumped from that shift and any time because I would have had zero senority. At the time I had a second job at nights so running that risk was out of the question. Less than one year later Matlack shut their doors. Talk about dodging a bullet!!!

Oh you dodged a bullet alright. I never knew Matlack was unionized, though. I was shocked when Matlack closed their doors, I didn't even know they were in trouble.

[midwest 1953]

Thought I would add mine on here too...

[SpreadAxle]

Thought I would add mine on here too...

These look pretty good.