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| Mack branded box
with Bicentennial decoration.
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| Excellent
replica memento. |
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| Highly detailed
chassis. |
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| Detailed roof. |
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| Gold filler
caps on the tanks. |
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| Coiled lines
can be stowed. |
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| Opening doors. |
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| On the road. |
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The Mack Super-Liner II Bicentennial was produced to
mark Australia's Bicentennial in 1988. Only 16
trucks were made with a luxurious specification.
Each one was named after a famous person in Australian
history.
This version of the model reflects the truck named after
Ludwig Leichhardt, an explorer in the first half of the
1800s.
Packaging
The model comes in a cardboard outer
shipping box enclosing a Mack branded box in the colours
of the Bicentennial trucks. Inside,
the model is contained
within a pair of expanded polystyrene trays which have
enhanced support for the model.
There were no missing parts or defects on the review model.
Two brochures are included. One shows the 16 variants of
the truck and has the full story of Ludwig Leichhardt.
The second brochure is presented as an Operator's
Handbook. Using photos of the model the
specifications of the real truck are described and there
is an interesting section describing the development of
the model.
Also included is a replica of the memento that was
provided with the real truck.
Assembly is limited to the attachment of towing hitch
and bull bar pins, and fitting the optional signs.
A plastic pointer tool is also included.
Detail
The chassis is very detailed
underneath with the
transmission and suspension fully modelled. Struts
between the large tanks are added. The tyres have a
different tread pattern on the front and rear axles
although there is no tyre branding, and
the wheels have excellent decoration. There are flexible mud flaps
all round. At the front of the chassis, the model number
and unique serial number within the production run are
etched on.
The cab looks terrific with the highest standard of
detailing. The bull bar and radiator have finely etched
metal grilles. The Mack Bulldog mascot is silver
rather than gold. On the roof the horns have Mack
etched on them. The
quality of the graphics used on the cab is exceptional,
and there are Ludwig Leichhardt badges on each side of
the bonnet and even though they are tiny, they are
legible. Under the bonnet is a very detailed engine, with many separate coloured components. The interior
detailing of the cab is very good.
The air cleaners with rain hats, and the exhaust stacks
are first class. The large fuel tanks have
excellent gold filler caps.
Behind the cab, there are coiled lines and they have connection
points on the deck so they do not wave about loosely.
There are excellent non-slip
walking surfaces. Another excellent detail is the
graphic on the edge of the fifth wheel.
At the rear the lights are painted and there is a towing hitch.
Features
The front wheels have notched steering with a very
good range of movement possible. The rear axles
have excellent suspension and the model rolls smoothly.
The bonnet and bull bar tilts forward to a good angle,
but care is needed to make sure the bull bar is not
pinned in position before tilting.
The cab doors can be
opened and inside the seats have an air ride action and
can be moved up and down.
The fifth wheel has a spring loaded lever to secure a trailer
in position. It can also be adjusted longitudinally
a small amount.
The air lines can be plugged into storage holes if not
connected to a trailer.
Quality
This is a very high quality Drake model with a high
metal content.
The paint work and the graphics are excellent.
Price
It is
good value for a special limited edition.
Overall
This is a superb limited edition truck model by Drake,
and does justice to the special nature of the real
truck. It sets a new standard for a truck model, and one
of the very few areas for further improvement would be a
presentation style case. Overall, this is a great
model.
Footnotes
This version of the model first appeared in May
2021. |
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| The parts out
of the box. |
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| Excellent
steering angle. |
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| Very
impressive. |
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| Mack name
behind the sleeper section. |
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| Excellent
graphics and decration. |
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| Excellent tiny
badges on the bonnet. |
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| Soft mud flaps. |
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| Excellent
detailed engine. |
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