Mack AC

Kyle DeHart
Got a start on this one as the Bugatti is waiting on paint. Going swimmingly so far. I have a complete frame as well as a transmission and the beginnings of an engine. Might even have a truck before too long. Perusing the interwebs has led me to a dark green and red combo that I liked so that's the direction I'll take.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice progress.

Jv
Sounds interesting

Kyle DeHart
Thanks!

Kyle DeHart
This is a sweet little kit. Sorry I haven't built one before. Engine and frame went together perfectly and both look great. Still some detail painting to go on the engine but it at least looks the part now.

Bozzer
You just know that I'm jumping on this build!

Kyle DeHart
Welcome!! I had a feeling you might stop by for this one.

Kyle DeHart
Thought I'd throw up a couple pics of the primed chassis so you can see some of the detail. Really nice looking piece. Especially if you consider when it was created.

Bozzer
I found the details pretty amazing too. They actually encouraged me to do a better job on the whole kit. I still need to decal the fuel tanker, and of course, finish the Stake truck, but I since have collected a few more of these, to create more variations, like a dry van, etc? Just double check that you get the rear panel of the cab, the right way around? That caught me out on one of my builds.

Peter Hardy
Classic! Following! If you listen closely you can hear the grinding of miss-matched straight cut gears on that hill over there!

Bozzer
You'll enjoy this Peter. I have had some fun with these.

Kyle DeHart
Welcome Peter! I have no idea what I'm doing but I'm glad you're here.

Bozzer I hope to see some of your ideas with these. No doubt you can do more justice to them than I can. It really is a shockingly nice kit for the age. Good fun so far. I did get some color down on the chassis today. Maybe get back after some more assembly tomorrow.

Bozzer
I'll have to get some pictures up later, of my fuel truck, mate. I'm behind on so much, that I'm going to have a very busy spring! Hopefully I'll have everything done, for "New Cave" time? That's gonna be a mission in itself.

Kyle DeHart
I completely understand that!

Kyle DeHart
Engine pretty well done, got some logs built and painted and the chassis looks good with some color on it.

Kyle DeHart
Driveline and engine mates successfully to the chassis. Working on the chain drives now and the front suspension. I may do some light weathering as if the truck was not show room brand new since it's going to have a load of logs on the back. I suppose it could be the very first load of logs the truck has ever seen. I don't know. Haven't decided for sure.

Bozzer
Last year, I trimmed down my plum tree and saved a few selected branches, for the event of this kit, and my Peerless Logging trailer. It's due another trim soon. My theory is, the best logs are real logs? Obviously, whilst trying to keep them in scale? But the weathered approach, would be exactly what I would do too mate.

Kyle DeHart
Good point. Maybe I should go out in the yard and try to find some stuff. It's so obvious and I never even thought of it. Lol. I'll see what I can dig up.

Villiers de Vos
Very nice progress Kyle.

Bozzer
We're all here for help and advice mate?
That's the greatness, of Scalemates 🙂

Guy Rump
Looking good! 👍

Kyle DeHart
Much appreciated Guy and Villiers! And Bozzer, yes this is a wonderful place. Helpful hints, source material, ideas and inspiration. And fellow mates, the best part of all.

Peter Hardy
Speaking of weathering Kyle, that cutting mat! Been in the family for years? 😂😂😂😂

Kyle DeHart
🤣🤣🤣 Peter I keep that one around to keep the big blue one clean.

Kyle DeHart
Got her up on wheels. Started doing some weathering on the chain drive, the engine and the underside. Just some silver, dirt and grease. Also got the first piece of the cab attached.

Villiers de Vos
Nice progress. Lots of colour. For me personally, it is a great feat as soon as a model is on its own wheels.

Kyle DeHart
Thanks Villiers! And I agree. Feels good to have them on the wheels and headed towards the finish line. Nice when they sit level on all 4 corners too. Lol

Christian W
This is interessting.

Kyle DeHart
Different than anything I've be tried yet Christian but I'm enjoying the kit!

Christian W
I can imagine that. I also never built anything like that!

bughunter
The paints of the previous model are not yet dried completely the next one is growing up. Very productive and nice work so far 👍
But the 3 wooden parts don't look so real?! Maybe you can try pieces of some branches in a similar diameter?

Kyle DeHart
Indeed. I didn't trunk of that but Bozzer mentioned that same thing to me as well. I'm going to plan on tossing the plastic logs and going outside to try to source some real wood. I think it'll help the overall look.

Bozzer
You're doing a great job mate! I knew that you'd love this kit! 🙂

Kyle DeHart
Thank you and thanks for the recommendation. You were right! Having a blast with it.

Bozzer
Check out the Rolls-Royce that I have in my stash. If you can find one, I swear that you'll have a blast with that kit! It's 1/16, but mate, it's detailed and totally mind blowing! 👍

Kyle DeHart
1908 Rolls. I like it a lot!! Will have to keep my eyes open whilst perusing old kits!!

Kyle DeHart
Cab and seat installed. Hood is on now too but I forgot to get a picture. Maybe tomorrow. Couldn't hit water if I fell out of a boat tonight so that's all I did. I couldn't even manage to get cotton swabs out of the pack. 🤦🏻‍♂️😂 Fingers weren't cooperating so better to step away and try again tomorrow.

Bozzer
Lol, I like your style brother!
My luck is so good, that COVID has more chance of winning the lottery!
Retreat, regroup, and overcome.
Beer helps, but not when modelling? And after several beers, it certainly makes you limp 😛

Kyle DeHart
Maybe a beer or two to loosen up but that's a slippery slope. 😂 I'm hoping tonight will go smoother.

Peter Hardy
Off topic but …. I can remember a truck with a wooden cab! I used to work in a place that dispatched orders of things like steel mop buckets and wheelbarrows and the poor sod who had to do the pick up every afternoon had the oldest truck in the fleet at Finney Bryce Transport, fella by the name of "Dorrie Evans". It even had no doors. Talk about air conditioning! I was 17 at the time, 65 now. How can I still remember that driver's name? I can't remember where I put the spare bottle of super glue yesterday!

Kyle DeHart
😂😂 Well I don't know where the super glue got off to but that's pretty cool! Love those old trucks.

Kyle DeHart
Well, I'm a tiny bit more competent this evening. Manage to attach a few pieces without issue. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣. As promised, the photo with the hood on. Starting to come together now. I'm really having fun with this and am inclined to dive into another monogram kit.

Bozzer
Just a little bit of history for you guys.
During the design of this vehicle, they realised that there was a flaw. If a bullet or shrapnel, entered the radiator, it would render the vehicle useless. So, they put the radiator between the engine and the cab. This also doubled up as the heater. Wouldn't fancy driving it in your country Peter! It was also given the name "The Bulldog" by the British soldiers who used it in the war. Hence the nickname, Bulldog Mack. You can thank me later, and donations are greatly accepted, for the Bozzer Plastic Fund 😛

Christian W
*lol* Thank you, Boozer, to let us be a part at your wisdom 🙂 Interessting story.

Like your built furtheron. I can remember, that those trucks (kits) where seen often online to buy for less money. Cool, that Atlantis give them a new chance.

Peter Hardy
Bozzer, Google "aec government road train". Engine has no cover and is positioned to the left of the driver. Vehicle worked for ten years carrying supplies to remote cattle and sheep stations in Central Australia. I have seen it, and sat in it at the Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs.

Kyle DeHart
Thanks Bozzer. I went to leave a donation but I dropped it on the way over and it fell into the box for my own plastic fund! My apologies. 😂

Thank you Christian!

Peter, I googled it as well. What a strange machine!!

Kyle DeHart
Last night proved to be much smoother as my brain and fingers decided they could once more get along. So now we have a flatbed truck with some wooden log supports and wedges. Need to do some more weathering, detail painting and finishing touches on the truck. Then I need to source some logs from the trees out back!!

Villiers de Vos
Very nice so far.

Kyle DeHart
Thank you Villiers!

Rui S
Looking great 👍

David Taylor
Smart.

Bozzer
Lol lads, I try to provide a service, wherever possible.
But these AC's were really an amazing piece of engineering, and a gutsy move by Mack. It's actually, what we could consider, cutting edge, of the time? I'm sure that Kyle would agree with me, that you should all build at least one of these. Monogram did a great job on the moulds, and the details are really unique.

Kyle DeHart
Thank you Rui and David!

And Bozzer, I totally agree. Really cool subject that is exceptionally well done. Really nice kit. I have him to thank for this build. It was a great idea.

Christian W
Looks very good. The wood too. Like it!

Kyle DeHart
Thanks again Christian!

Raining here the past day so I haven't been able to search out any wood for the logging load yet but soon!

Jv
Looking great interesting truck

Kyle DeHart
Thanks Jv!

Peter Hardy
I have four unfinished projects on my bench and plans for the next two in my head. I am still thinking of the bloody Mack!

Kyle DeHart
Peter, this is what happened to me. I blame Bozzer entirely for it. 😂😂 Couldn't get it out of my head. Had to pick one up and get into it.

Bozzer
Go on Peter, you know that you can't resist! You can almost smell the heat coming off that radiator 😉

Peter Hardy
I will weaken, all this bravado will dissipate soon!

Kyle DeHart
I have sourced some logs. Updates soon. Maybe that will push you over the edge. 😁

Kyle DeHart
Moving this to the completed shelf and , Well, what can I say. Just a fantastic kit. Extremely fun build. Loved it. Everyone go out and buy one or an old Monogram version and build it your own. Great fun. Cut some logs from fallen limbs to make the logging load look better. Weathered it sort of lightly. My idea was it's a new truck but it's made a few runs already. Always a learning experience. Again, great fun start to finish.

Peter Hardy
Looks amazing Kyle. So far out of your comfort zone too!

bossy122
Dana Carey did the Angry Old Man on SNL and talked about how, in his time, they chewed bark off of oak trees for fun. That's the original ice cream truck you got there!

Neuling
Lovely work! 👍

Kyle DeHart
Peter, thank you so much! And yes I'm ducking back into my wheelhouse of race cars right now. But this was a blast so I'll venture out again.

Bossy, i remember those skits!! SNL used to have some stuff that was golden.

Thank you Neuling!

Guy Rump
What a great result, congrats! 👍

Christian W
How cool is that! Man, I love what you've done! Sweet.

Jarrett
The wood looks so authentic and love the weathering. Great job Kyle!

Kyle DeHart
Thank you Guy, Christian and Jarrett. The wood I have to thank Bozzer and Frank for suggesting I go get some real wood. Obvious enough but my feeble brain never even considered it before. 🤦🏻‍♂️ So much nice than the fake plastic wood, of course.

bughunter
I definitely like your outcome 👍

Kyle DeHart
Thank you!!

Villiers de Vos
Very nice and creative. Really very inspiring.

Kyle DeHart
Thanks very much!

István Szücs
Great work, especially the weathering!

Kyle DeHart
Much appreciated!

Bozzer
This build has made me very proud of your efforts.
I didn't expect you to mess it up, but for a racing car guy, that's some impressive stuff! And I'm glad you took my advice on the logs. You can clearly see the massive improvement! Even better, the kit is strong enough to take the weight, unlike some of the modern stuff!
Well done buddy, I can't wait to see your next big kit 👍 100%

Kyle DeHart
Thank you so much. All down to you, Bozzer! You kept recommending the kit and I had to have it. I'm very pleased with the result. One of my favorite builds. And I'll absolutely be doing some more big trucks in future. For now I've safely retreated back into my wheelhouse of racing cars. Lol! But I always venture out again. Too many interests, too many kits. Too little time.

Villiers de Vos
The decaling turned out very nice and the real stumps add realism.

Kyle DeHart
Thanks Villiers!

Bozzer
Peter, I think that we got another nutter? 😉

Peter Hardy
Yes I think so. Don't know how we attract them!

Kyle DeHart
It's true. No one has ever questioned my insanity. 😂