REVIEW: Road Kings Mack R700L aka "Rubber Duck" Truck • DiecastSociety.com

REVIEW: Road Kings Mack R700L aka “Rubber Duck” Truck

Usually, we like to start our reviews on a more cheerful note. But in this case, just after the release of the model reviewed with the relevant figure available extra and an option for the trailer, we have learned that the Rubber Duck´s actor Kris Kristofferson has passed away. So this review comes in lieu of an obituary.

In the 1978 movie “Convoy” he played a truck driver who reluctantly becomes the figurehead of a protest of truck drivers solidarizing by joining a convoy (hence the title; the hero Martin Penwald modestly says “I am not leading them, I am just in front”). So the man not really wanting to be the hero, the automobile hero of the movie is his black Mack R700L truck, pulling a Fruehauf 36” tanker trailer containing “volatile chemicals”. After other screen trucks like those featuring in “Smokey &The Bandit”, “BJ & The Bear” or more recently “Movin´on”, Road Kings have released this Mack head tractor in a Rubber Duck version, including a chromed duck hood ornament instead of the bulldog featured by the truck normally (and its two other colour options in scale). This duck ornament (and movie) is so iconic that the ornament is readily available as an accessory for modern trucks.

In addition, the black Mack gets the correct array of multiple number plates and some, but not all of the markings on the truck. The biggest mistake is the size of the sleeper on the model, which is too small, although the overall length is just huge at 46 cm, making it the longest head tractor in the entire Road Kings range, exceeding that of the Peterbilt and the Kenworth W900A. The bullbar upfront ironically is the flimsiest yet on any RK US truck; the Peterbilt still had chromed metal, the Kenworths´ were chromed plastic, this is just grey plastic, flimsier than any of them, so handle with care! All of the roof lamps and indicators on the fenders are transparent now when the Pete still had them in just solid paint.

“Beaker 1-9, seems we got ourselves a little convoy here.” A vitally essential bit of these trucking movies was C.B. radio chatter. While other RK trucks all had antennas, this has an actual radio mounted on the dash now. The interior remains as toylike and simple as the others, though, and like the front bumpers, the antennas have become worse. With the mirrors being pre-installed, the antennas wobble about and fall out of the loops after insertion. “10/4, Duck, can you receive me?” Not really!

On the rear, the lamps are wonderfully detailed – but amber turn signals on a US truck? Really?! Not only from that I suspect, that the model is built on a 1:1 replica owned by a German oil hauling and trading company (cf the pictures!). The fifth wheel is in its most rearward position between the rear axles, which makes sense, even though the movie truck had it yet further aft for an even more dramatic effect with the trailer.

Speaking of which, I explicitly asked Road Kings / KK Scale whether they were planning the trailer, given that they had seen sense after a while in other cases, where a trailer was added later in the Smokey & Bandit livery and BJ & The Bear design. They replied that having considered the option they had decided against it. So the only available option presently is to buy these 3-D- data and print or have the kit printed and put it together yourself, which I did. I leave it to you whether you find this solution worthwhile. I for one do not regret it and am glad to have it as a more complete tribute to Kris Kristofferson and one of the most iconic trucking movies of all time. R.I.P. Kris! “Rubber Duck over and out!”

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9 Responses to "REVIEW: Road Kings Mack R700L aka “Rubber Duck” Truck"

  1. DS Team says:

    Kasten, thank you for the tribute! Lovely review and solid looking model overall, truly an impressive piece! RIP sir!

  2. InTheFastLane says:

    Thank you for the review. To me the trailer completes the look.

  3. Can I buy the model is it diecast or plastic

  4. Chad says:

    The mudflaps aren’t period correct and have the largest possible offense to a collector’s Mack! 2 left flaps!!! The bulldog on the right needs to face inward.

  5. DS Team says:

    Hey Karsten, this review sparked some amazing feedback via Facebook mention! A record for likes, well over 1000 and counting! Awesome, thank you!

  6. Jimmie Ross says:

    I want one of these how and where do I get one ??

  7. Steve says:

    I’ve preordered that truck almost 6 weeks ago.. this week it should be here.. but always i was looking for the part, that makes it “not correct”.. my eyes saw it, my brain doesn’t. But now it’s absolutely clear.. the legendary sleeper is about the half of the correct size.. i’m not sure if i can overlook this in my shelf…

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