1/32nd Scale Revellogram Mack questions.

[rustybaer]

Those of you that may remember me from other forums will not be surprised by this: I recently acquired one of the snap together Mack trucks, this one with a tanker trailer, that is close to the model that the IDF used for a long time as part of a tank transporter unit, the trailer being an Israeli manufactured two axle low boy. Once upon a time, I remember a period-correct cab and wheels being offered by someone on Shapeways, but I've been unable to find it. Anyone remember what I'm referring to?

[BUCKY]

That sounds cool, Russ! Grab another one and hop in the MAD MAX GROUP BUILD! Lotsa possibles with a tanker truck, there!

Here's the link:

onlinescalemodelers.proboards.com/thread/1343/mad-max-group-build-kickoff

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

Hi Russ. It's not like we would forget you;)

[rustybaer]

Dec 4, 2017 13:27:26 GMT -6 BUCKY said:

That sounds cool, Russ! Grab another one and hop in the MAD MAX GROUP BUILD! Lotsa possibles with a tanker truck, there!

Here's the link:

onlinescalemodelers.proboards.com/thread/1343/mad-max-group-build-kickoff

Looks like a hoot, but really want to do an IDF tank transporter......

[rustybaer]

Dec 5, 2017 6:34:47 GMT -6 dogfish7 (R.I.P.) said:

Hi Russ. It's not like we would forget you;)

Aw......

[BUCKY]

We're looking forward to that transporter, too!!

[Beekster]

Russ, that was once offered by AEF Designs in resin. I never had the conversion, but did have the wheels for my own Chilean project...the quality was awful. The only way to do a DM895 tractor is to do it the hard way: Cut away the hood and scratchbuild it. I've got sales brochures and some other dimensional data if you need them since I've started two of these, but it is hard, long work. Also be aware that the rear suspension for the DM series is very different from the R700 the kit gives you. The bogie carrier is bolted to the outside of the frame, not the inside, and the camelback leaf springs are larger and longer. I scratchbuilt those things and even got some cast, but the shapes are tough to cast and I've got some issues with keeping everything straight. Also, the IDF trucks were real Frankenstein creations. The wheelbase was extremely long and not standard for a tractor version, intended instead for dump bodies or carrying big dumpsters. The chosen wheelbase was also not standard for that particular frame length, according to the brochure. Obviously, the IDF asked for a custom combination. The frame itself is beefier than the R700, so scratchbuilding that is more accurate, too...but it isn't a straight ladder frame, it angles out up front under the cab and is wider at the front to accommodate the engine.

I also got an AMT 1/25 scale Mack DM800 kit so that I could measure up the hood and fender parts, then convert the measurements to 1/32 before cutting styrene.










upload image to a post on web

[JCON]

Nice work on the measuring!!!

[Beekster]

Dec 7, 2017 10:30:56 GMT -6 JCON said:

Nice work on the measuring!!!

Most everything you need is available if you know where to look.  I picked up a couple of vintage sales brochures on the DM800 series on eBay several years ago, and scoured the internet for information on the IDF Macks.  That turned up a line drawing (in Hebrew) with more dimensions in metric, which in turn led me to the realization that the overall length matched a 182" wheelbase for a standard Mack variant, but the actual 202" wheelbase was standard for a frame four inches longer.  The IDF asked for a custom configuration.  The dimensions of the hood and fenders are cribbed from the AMT kit, scaled down appropriately.  There's a little Kentucky Windage in there too, since it appears that the AMT kit isn't spot-on for dimensional accuracy anyway.  Doing this yourself, the end result should look quite like a DM800 series and be pretty close in dimensions, but not as good as if you laser-measured the real thing, rendered it in CAD, and 3D-printed it which is far beyond my capabilities and budget.

The bogie frame was largely worked up by way of Mark One Eyeball.  I may have loosely measured a bogie carrier from an L-Series truck I saw at an antique truck show; I don't recall.  But this method of mounting the bogies was definitely old-school by the 1960s when the DM series was built.  Similar carriers were used on the L-series in the 1950s and on military Macks like the behemoth M123 and M125.

[Beekster]

Another observation: It still requires surgery, but it might be possible to create the look of the beefier DM-series springs using the kit R700 parts. The axles still need to be cut off, but then you are in a position to add material to the ends to space the axles a bit further apart, and little bits on the ends of each layer of the spring to extend it. Perhaps only twenty thousandths will make it look bigger. That doesn't do anything about the width, but is less work that what I did to make an entire spring pack and have it cast. Trust me, making a camelback spring pack master pattern is a bitch of a job.

[JCON]

I'll take your word on that one!!! LOL!!!