Mack trucks have become synonymous with heavy-duty semi-tractors, and the R model is one of the most recognizable and versatile rigs the company has made. This Revell 1/32 scale Mack R-Model plastic model kit was first released by Monogram in 1982 as a snap-together kit. Re-released later with a Fruehauf tanker trailer in the Snap-Tite line, this boxing pares the kit back to just the tractor and drops the snap kit branding.
With just 55 parts, the kit exudes simplicity and accessibility, but you’ll find the amount of detail achieved for this mighty bulldog a pleasant surprise. For instance, the three-piece rear suspension has molded rear leaf springs, and the plastic rear tires wrap around beautiful bud-style wheels.
The chrome-plated air and fuel tanks come in halves, which leaves a seam down the middle, but snap together, just like all the other parts have up to this point. With the chrome on the rolling chassis, I detail-painted the fifth wheel, mud flaps, and rear taillights. The taillights needed clear parts cement to stay in place.
For the cab, the grille snapped in place from the inside. The windshield needed a tiny bit of glue to ensure it didn’t pop out while installing the interior. Three pieces comprise the bucket-style interior with the seats and sleeper compartment bed molded as a single unit.
The kit doesn’t provide decals for the gauges, and the dash and door panels bear only minimal detail. The steering wheel and shifter needed glue to stay put. The interior slid and snapped firmly into place with no difficulties.
Step 17 shows the assembly of the four-piece air intake. The next three steps cover the installation of the outside adornments, such as the exhaust stack, grab handles, air horns, and running lights on the roof.
After attaching the air intake, exhaust stack, grab handles, running lights, and air horns, I snapped the cab onto the chassis. Mirrors and antennas were the last parts to go on.
I painted with Dupli-Color and Alclad II colors and flat-coated the non-polished surfaces under the truck.
The decal options are numerous, with three variations shown in the instructions. Feel free to mix and match to come up with your own look. The markings released from the backing without complaint, were opaque, and conformed beautifully — no setting solution! With hardly any carrier film, the decals even look good on the chrome parts.
My only gripe, small though it may be, is the open-back, plastic tires. While popular on military kits at 1/35 scale, vinyl tires would have been nice. You can get them to look better with paint and seam removal.
Anyone looking for a quick, satisfying build — young or old, experienced or novice — this almost completely snap-together, non-snap kit builds into a very cool 1/32 scale Mack R plastic replica. I enthusiastically recommend this kit to all.