Vladislav

2 hours ago, other dog said:

well, naturally I couldn't find the pictures I was looking for but then I thought of google earth. This is the spot your pictures reminded me of Vlad, the terrain looks very similar, except it's summer there in West Virginia.

Tom, very interesting relation. These stratches look almost similar indeed! 

3 hours ago, harrybarbon said:

The Iranian F model looks similar to the late 60's F models we had in Australia. That F model and many other Macks were exported to Iran prior to 1982 when it was called Persia, a period that US had close ties. I wonder how and where they obtain parts for their Macks in Iran given the US sanctions.  

That F-model (to my understanding) was produced in the US and imported to Iran as a complete truck. That air start tank seems uncommon for the US. I may be wrong on that though. Of what I learned Iran got sanctions by the US first but they were able to import from Canada for a few years more. Than they bought off about all Macks (and parts?) from The Netherlands. Also seems they scratched all Mack from Turkey (we discussed about relatively sufficient amoung there in the past and now they're all gone). But also I see they find ways to import new parts some way. For example big SS mirrors on red R-model look like brand new PAI parts. The same for a few other small parts. Also they (my guess) produce certain parts for Macks locally. For example oil and fuel filters on the engine have scripts in Persian (Farci) with Mack emblem put nearby. That's definitely not OEM parts. One more interesting point is wheel hubs on the R. As you can see the wheels are of disc style, not spokes. But those wheels (rims) are European. Different stud circle size. These hubs are made in Iran. They suit Mack axle and allow to fit modern European wheel. Looks like people don't want to deal with spokes anymore but American Budd style was not common there. European trucks represent majority there now so local industry found especial solution. Not bad idea on my mind. 

3 hours ago, harrybarbon said:

Interesting Vlad that you have mentioned the 4 lane highways. I have been listening to the BBC news tonight about the Turkish elections. Comment was that current President of 20 years has invested in building infrastructure. These roads seem to reflect that investment, they are major contributors to progress and commerce for the country for many years to come. And as you note trucks that can keep up good road speeds and safety as well.

During WW2 the US army had a major civil contractor, Dillingham, build air fields and associated buildings in northern Australia for the Pacific war against the Japanese. After the war, Dillingham saw what the then US President had the government invest in the highways. Dillingham continued to operate in Australia after the war and during the mid 1950's, following the USA government new highways build, it submitted a proposal to the then PM Menzies government in Australia to build a tollways linking Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Menzies rejected the offer. Well by 2009 we finally had a freeway between Melbourne and Sydney, nearly 60 years later. The freeway between Sydney and Brisbane is nearly completed, bar 3 major regional cities (one section has been delayed because of political dancing) and north of Sydney. And sections of the divided highway between Melbourne and Adelaide are completed, and long way to complete. Sadly, the Victorian sections of the highways are in very poor condition due to significant under investment in critical state government road funding. 

On reflection, it was a mistake by our government to reject the 1950's proposal by Dillingham to build the tollways. All the benefits, economic, road safety for the road users, tourism etc would have paid for the tollroads many years ago.

And certainly Australia could have allowed the introduction of the bigger US built trucks as those tollways were being commissioned, which would have also produced many multiple benefits for our country.     

And that's a real shame that offer to build large toll highways in Australia was declined. Now we know the result but also we know the cost of unachieved benefits for those 50 years. 

Almost the same situation was in Russia nearly 15-20 years ago. In early 2000's oil costs got very high and government took very impressive incoms. There even was an appearance of upcoming financial problem having too much money in the economy. Sure alot of money is very good but in a case you convert them into goods. What requres some labour. But as long as the powers didn't want complicated ways they were worrying of high inflation (many money in the country with that same amount of produced goods). So the solution was... To buy official US stock (Threasury papers or so). With guaranteed fee of 0.5% per year (!). At the same time if you wanted to get a loan in Russia to invests into business or anything it would worth 25-35% those days!! Seeing from aside a man would conclude how clever was Russian government having no need in money and how stupid was the US to take those money for 0.5% a year! What a BS! 

My thoughts at thouse times were it was a perfect moment for road construction. What you need for that the most is local labour (which was and is in nearly unlimited amount since you have to donate poor folks anyway) and construction materials, which are either for 90% could be found locally (sand, gravel, cement, heavy oil fractions) The rest is equipment and modern tecnology which could be purchased paying those spoken excessive money. 

Now it's not difficult to figure which way was choosen. And currently everybody in the world can easily observe the subject Russian government prefere to spend state incoms... 

3 hours ago, harrybarbon said:

Interesting Vlad that you have mentioned the 4 lane highways. I have been listening to the BBC news tonight about the Turkish elections. Comment was that current President of 20 years has invested in building infrastructure. These roads seem to reflect that investment, they are major contributors to progress and commerce for the country for many years to come. And as you note trucks that can keep up good road speeds and safety as well.

During WW2 the US army had a major civil contractor, Dillingham, build air fields and associated buildings in northern Australia for the Pacific war against the Japanese. After the war, Dillingham saw what the then US President had the government invest in the highways. Dillingham continued to operate in Australia after the war and during the mid 1950's, following the USA government new highways build, it submitted a proposal to the then PM Menzies government in Australia to build a tollways linking Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Menzies rejected the offer. Well by 2009 we finally had a freeway between Melbourne and Sydney, nearly 60 years later. The freeway between Sydney and Brisbane is nearly completed, bar 3 major regional cities (one section has been delayed because of political dancing) and north of Sydney. And sections of the divided highway between Melbourne and Adelaide are completed, and long way to complete. Sadly, the Victorian sections of the highways are in very poor condition due to significant under investment in critical state government road funding. 

On reflection, it was a mistake by our government to reject the 1950's proposal by Dillingham to build the tollways. All the benefits, economic, road safety for the road users, tourism etc would have paid for the tollroads many years ago.

And certainly Australia could have allowed the introduction of the bigger US built trucks as those tollways were being commissioned, which would have also produced many multiple benefits for our country.     

Very interesting observation and Australin reflection of the subject. 

I had been to Turkey with (that same) motorbike in 2010. More West portion of the country that time but also cruised alot including local roads and small cities. This trip I got really surprized of how the level of life changed in the country since than. Plenty of modern 6-7 storey buildings in every town with massive concrete substructure (that's a seysmic critical region), perfect and mostly empty roads (definitely built for perspective of a few decades), many new or modern cars, about no old trucks, people dressed well and have well furbished recreational areas. I used to know Turkey had luxury resorts for foreign tourists with mostly poor local people and this time I saw almost another state of things. What you said spoken in BBC news explained alot. At the same time I spoke with a few locals and those were about sure Erdoghan will not continue being a president. Answering my mentioning of how Turkey got changed better the reply was "we need more democracy". Worth to point out the region I cruised over was Kurdish for the most and another common answer was "Erdoghan didn't like Kurdish people". My next point though was my observations of his political actions during the last decade. On my mind he steered over many sharp corners roaming his politics between interests of Russia, United States, Europe, Iran etc. And always took benefits for his own country. Aside of figuring he's strategically more a friend or an enemy to Russia my hat is definitely off to his professional skills. 

Best B-day wishes! 

And keep going anyway! 

49 minutes ago, mrsmackpaul said:

That airfoil kit matches in pretty well

And the smarter Mack blokes will know for certain but the taper on tje chassis rail towards the back axles to me is unusual 

 

Paul

That's because it's a standart US F-700 chassis. With fish belly at the center, same way as DM models have. The tail end section is the same as you have on your R-model. 9 inch high and 1/4 inch (6.35mm) thick. With the same width between the rails (over them). There was earlier years F-600 chassis though that duplicated R-model style. Or correctly to say it originates it. But those early F's seem scarce. 

You should check some basic things about the carb. Fuel level and (my guess) correctness of hole sizes of the duses. Both fuel and air. Also air leak in the intake manifold in its portion between the carb and the cyl. heads. But I think you meant that talking about vacuum check. 

Nice L btw, drool😀

1 hour ago, 1958 F.W.D. said:

Yes but he didn't send us any "Girls in Cars" photos! 

Ohell !!!... But I see no way getting a girl in a car since I ride a bike! 

No doubt. 

But he deleted some of the pics from the thread I belive. 

If you zoom the last pic you can see a steep portion of the road along the mountain side with two trucks going up and down. The hill might be seen not really steep but impresses of how long it is. The first two shots were made standing on that stretch and the 3rd one is the next portion on the way down (from where the 4th pic was taken). 

Also my grand dad was a photographer for living. He made his pics with German captured Leica (first 35 mm film camera I belive) and I used it either in my early days. 

17 hours ago, Mark T said:

You have very good ability to know what makes a good picture Vlad,  interesting things most of us guys would never see any other way than your pictures. Certainly would  be looking at those things if I were there .   Thanks

Glad to be of service, Mark. I'm not a photographer sure but in very beginning my dad gave me a book of "Practicle photograpy". Aside of general thigs it detailingly explained how b/w film and paper got in reaction with chemicals and how you can correct underexposed film by working with printing. I even made those things personally in bath room with red light. But only once😀

Met a steam loc on my way today. Turkish guys made a cool thing keeping an old portion of the bridge (there's a new one in 20 meters aside) and layed rails on it. My original guess was that was and old RR bridge but I didn't find traces of the track before and after the bridge. So seemed like it was a product of someone's creativity and it turned out fine on my mind. The loc itsef represented relatively poor condition but looked like it was restered to some grade in the past. The car showed traces of vandalizm but was solid overall. Would be interesting to count out was that Turkish produced loc or a imported one and where it was made if so. 

23 hours ago, doubleclutchinweasel said:

Looks like a VFR?  I used to ride a VFR-750.  Very sexy bikes.

Yes, she is. When I was looking for a bike VFR-750 was in my focus. Actually I enjoyed the look. But those 2 or 3 examples to choose from at the time were selling pricy. And all were 17 y.o. At a certain day I visited a bike dealer to look a CBR-600F. It was in a really poor shape but some dark green thing nearby took my attention. I asked "what's that" and heard back "VFR-800" I answered "oh, well, Ok" meaning it was way off my cost range. I looked over the bike though and asked to try seat on it. That was my "mistake". Next morning I woked up and found myself realizing " I don't want to look for a motorbike anymore"😀Called the guys, arranged the deal, payed twice of what I was planning to. Have ridden her for 16 years since and never had a thought I made a wrong choice that day😀

On 5/10/2023 at 9:06 PM, mrsmackpaul said:

Im gunna have to get a map out to work out were you are Vlad

 

Geography of that part of the world isn't any good in my brain

I have read some books of truck drivers crossing from Europe to the middle East and beyond

And even 50 years ago the queues were long and bribes were steep for trucks

Thanks for the story and photos 

 

Paul

Paul, to me it seems like a good approach to relate description with a map. If you haven't lost interest in that look where Moscow first. Than Rostov-na-Donu, than Vladikaukaz (still in Russia). Than stretch from Vladikaukaz to Tbilisi (the capital of Georgia) is that portion of the road with the mountain pass and snow aside of the road. 

Than further I passed Georgian city of Borjomi (that's a place Georgians produce well known mineral water branded by the same name as the city). And from there I went to Turkish Ardohan crossing GE/TR border on my way. Than further east to Dogubayazid and today I came to the city of Van near the salt lake of Van. 

Nice "little" truck indeed. And it's definitely a R not RM or RD. Would be cool if someone will keep it and restore. 

54 minutes ago, Brocky said:

Vlad, Thanks for the scenic travel log!!!! It is great to see the other parts of the world I will never see otherwise.. What is the reason for the long delays at customs / border crossings???? Did you get held up with the Bike or with a car???? With the number of smaller countries in the area it must take months to travel any distance?????

Brocky, you are welcome! It's always fun when you share your fun😀 

The long time waiting is for trucks. Mostly due to cargo. Plenty if paperwork must be arranged. Also X-ray inspection. Sure that's a matter of amount of stuff involved. But it's government business so drivers and cargo owners have to pay by the time spent. 

Cars are much easier deal if not too many in the line. Usually it takes from one to a few hours to pass a border with a car. Motorbike is even more easier deal since you overpass the line of cars (and sure the trucks) and has less lugguge to be inspected. I crossed Geragian border in 1,5 hours and about the same time from Georgia to Turkey. There were no cars at the latter pass at all but I needed Turkish insurance which I didn't buy at home. There was an office at the border cross (they usually are there) but it took them nearly 40 minutes to get the deal done. 

1 hour ago, harrybarbon said:

Amazing scenery, thank you for the pictures Vlad. And deep snow this time of the year, it has not melted.

The snow was seen at the mountain pass, about its highest point of 2500m above the sea level. Overall it's quite warm in the region, nearly +20C. And the road was clean and dry including the pass. 

5 hours ago, mowerman said:

 Yes, thanks for that… cool rig yes 50 years old and still working wow . I expect you had a pretty good time with that motorcycle scenery is gorgeous. I could do without the snow ha ha.. thanks for the post.. Bob

Thanks for the comment, Bob. That snow happened to be more of a scenary thing than an issue. The air was nearly 15 Celsias which with help of sun made the ride quite comfortable. 

5 hours ago, mechohaulic said:

ditto on the pictures and story.  looks like the R doesn't have AC .  can't believe the R has built in extended cab  vs add on sleeper. caught my attention due to I have a DM-800 in progress (1/25th scale) that has been given a built in extended cab. in between lawns etc cab got primer today. 

That's Iranian built cab. You can see difference in the shape of windscreens, doors and even the cowl. They seem ordering chassis and mechanical components from Mack and made cabs and hoods locally. R-model was either produced in short and sleeper versions.