BigLorryBlog

Re: Internationals. Not certain, but I think the first is a 3600, the second is an ACCO 6x6, probably ex Aussie Army, and the third is a 9900i.

Pretty close, Michael, but only 2/3 of a pie, I think.

The third one is, as you say, a 9900i; I know this as I was driving it on the day the photo was taken. The 9900i is the upmarket version of the 9400i and 9200i, mainly intended for owner-drivers. It has upgraded trim in the cab and a bigger, squarer bonnet, mainly to look more impressive but also to allow more space for cooling purposes around the engine which is normally a big Cummins or Caterpillar. The truck in the photo has a 620bhp Cummins Signature with an 18 speed manual Roadranger gearbox.

The centre photo is of the military version of the ACCO, used by the Australian army and also in small numbers here in NZ. The military version was fitted with a petrol engine, unlike the civilian version which normally had a Perkins 6.354. This cab was always known in NZ as the "butterbox cab", and the whole truck was called a "butterbox Inter". I don't know whether the Aussies used the same rather irreverent names, but I'm sure Pete will tell us.

However the top photo is not a 3600, which was also commonly called the new S-Line, but is an International Transtar 4700. The Transtar used basically the same cab as the S-Line, but it was set much higher on the chassis and so had a more sloping bonnet and was usually fitted with one of the bigger Cummins, Cat or Detroit engines. This model Transtar was a very good truck indeed and there are still a large number in regular full-time use here in New Zealand, and also I believe in Australia.

I now await with some trepidation for Pete Lynch, who posted the top 2 photos, to correct me!

Vic has recently done a sterling job in educating me about International number designations for the 9900i etc, and I also recognise the top photo as a Transtar 4700.

However, I am going out on a limb for the tipper and suggesting that rather an ACCO as such, this model is properly known as an International Mark 5 6x6, built for the Australian Army.

I hope Pete will appreciate I have referred to his book!

Hi Richard

That's interesting about the 6x6; I knew it was called the Mark 5, or usually the Mark V, but didn't know that ACCO was not part of its official name. It is certainly called an ACCO Mk V or an ACCO 6x6 by a lot of people when they are talking or writing about it, but you may very well be correct about that not being official. After all, the old Foden I used to drive was always called a Mickey Mouse model, but that definitely wasn't the factory name of the S21!!

I must admit that I don't have Pete's ACCO book (I have the Atkinson one) but he has promised to send me the new and improved edition when it is finished. I'm waiting for him to comment on this truck and correct me as I'm sure he will.

Regards, Vic

Top of the class Richard, an International Mk5 tipper. many were converted to Perkins diesel but this one looks like it may have the original twin carburetor 282 cubic inch petrol six.