this is being posted on another forum so i'm not going to go crazy with detail and photo-bombing here unless someone is interested and then i'll add more details (as requested)

To sum it up, I'm a Recovery Mechanic in the australian army and an avid model truck builder (you may recall the 1:25 demag crane i scratchbuilt and posted on this forum), i've decided to make a replica of the HRV that i work on and along the way have been talked into making a second for the senior instructor in the trade, the same guy who designed these trucks.

This is the subject for the model (minus the Driver under instruction signs)


I started with two donor kits and a lot of KFS, Plaskit, Auslowe and various other after market parts (not to mention additional styrene etc).

(yes, the DM800 is/was the original edition)

I was initially going to extend the R685ST chassis but after looking at the amount of work required i decided to simply scratchbuild the entire thing, i've modified the Plaskit Neway airbag suspension (far more realistic than the Auslowe equivilent) and also after market heavy duty front springs to suit (neither are shown in this photo), i've also extensivly modified a KFS driven front axle, so much so that the only thing that remains (at the moment) is the central diff housing, even this will be re-shaped shortly.


i've since been working on the cab/bonnet/guards etc, the latter two required extensive modification as can be seen, the bonnet needed extra height, whilst the guards needed to be lowered and significantly re-shaped
*standard DM800 front end (with R series cab)


*corrected front end (cab now has a roof extention and the beginnings of the crewcab)


today i worked on the bumper bar and support mounts



as you can see, it's only in the early stages so far but it's coming along nicely.

If your after any information about this particular model Mack truck, have a look at this lot.

http://forums.aths.org/InstantForum414/Attachment9456.aspx

Try that site, you might get a surprise with the amount of info they have available.

impessive work so far

Mini Trucker, i would show a photo of the plans but unlike my last build these plans were only to get me started and as such were never more than a few lines, no details were ever added to these ones as i have unrestricted access to the 1:1 trucks so i could get all the reference material i needed when i needed it.

As for progress on this one, it's been slow over the last week or so as we've been busy at work which has resultd in a lack of motivation when i get home. Since the last photos i've srcatcbuilt accurate Mack drive hubs,
mine are the red/white ones, the grey ones are from a US aftermarket parts firm and the chrome wheel/hub from the DM800 kit


i've also built both tool bins, (have since fitted KFS chrome PE door handles)


i've added far more detail to the cab and front end in general, including sanding off the moulded in brace bars inside the bonnet and fitted very fine styrene strip,


At the moment, the whole assembly is resting in place as a 'mock up', obviously it's not sitting anywhere near as high as it will be when finished, but it gives a good idea of how it'll look. Not shown is the engine thats sitting in place and the radiator support bars that mount between cab and radiator (they're just visible on the desk behind the front wheel)


For those who are interested, the small gap behind the crew cab will house the folded up Palfinger crane. The large gap between the two tool bins will house (front to rear): hydraulic tank and reversing sheaves, 498ltr fuel tank, twin 13t winches and a spare tyre mounted above the very rear. Protruding from the rear will be a hydrauilc 'over lift' system with stinger bar, fairleads for the winches and the "spades" for winching.

hi,great looking model,cant wait to see it finished.would you have the decals for sale,from the yellow mack?as ive got a junk yard rubber duck mack.but as everybody knows,its the completely wrong spec.so i would just like to build the yellow version,and thats why i need the decals?

richard

Hi rwaldram, what other forum is your mack being posted on so we can look at more detailed aspects of your build there?

Thanks
ben

hi ryan,i tryed sending you an email but its been postmasterd back. is there supose to be a space between ryan waldram or is it one word?

richard

ok thanks

Not much progress lately due to the high temperatures and humidity here in Darwin, instead i've been touching up a few details and having a play with photography, here's a mock up of the truck with the working bonnet/guard assemblys (excuse the magic tape)




Also i have modified a resin part i recieved from a US manafacturer that i wasnt happy with, this will be the Tip Turbine & Intercooler assembly for the engine (not finished yet so it's still a bit rough)

Coming along nicely, Ryan.

watching with interest..

I'm Loving your scratchbuilding.

Al