1/43 Mack B-61T Roadway Express Truck Tractor

[Pete68]

Here’s another old build that I started around 2010 and never finished. When New Ray came out with these I bought 2 cases of them.  I would disassemble them and strip the paint off then Custom Make my own Decals and sell them on eBay. Here’s one that never made it to eBay that I was working on and I never finished it. Maybe now I will finish the Truck but it will not be for sale this time it’s going into my personal collection.
 

The truck cab is painted Tangerine Orange and I hand painted the hood, fenders, grille and frame with Testors Acrylic Dark Blue. The Roadway decals are the old Ert DM600 ones scaled to 1/43 that I did.  I’ll be adding some Don Mills Wheels, Mirrors, Bulldog and side badge decals. Other parts are from 1/43 AMT models like the front spit rim rings  the old 2 piece Tire’s, metal axles and I made a scratch built bumper made from styrene channel. Hope you follow along. 

Edited December 29, 2024 by Pete68

[BK9300]

You’re a hard man to keep to, Lee - lots of interesting trucks in your collection!

[gotnitro?]

Good looking little bulldog Lee

[Pete68]

6 hours ago, BK9300 said:

 

You’re a hard man to keep to, Lee

 

I’m sorry I’m just trying to get some of these orphan builds done 😂. Yes I have a lot of interesting trucks of all scales in my collection I don’t like to just stick to on scale or model. Thanks for stopping by. 

[Pete68]

33 minutes ago, gotnitro? said:

Good looking little bulldog Lee

Thanks Jeff there’s a bit of work in this little guy to improve the looks of it but the potential is there and worth it. Glad you dropped in. 

[Bronzekeg]

looking good!

[Biggu]

Love the B series Macks. I’m squeezing into the front row…….. move over one , Brian 😋

[slusher]

My dad hauled coal in a B model Mack, I south west Kentucky…

[Pete68]

3 hours ago, Bronzekeg said:

looking good!

Ken glad you stopped by have a seat 

[Pete68]

3 hours ago, Biggu said:

Love the B series Macks. I’m squeezing into the front row…….. move over one , Brian 😋

Hurry up Jeff seats are filling up. Glad you found a seat and refreshments will follow soon. 

[Pete68]

2 hours ago, slusher said:

My dad hauled coal in a B model Mack, I south west Kentucky…

Now that’s cool. Did it have one of those high side coal beds? I’m planning on doing a dump truck and possibly a tow truck too with these. Thanks for stopping by. 

[Rockford]

Very clever stuff. Well done! 

[Gary Chastain]

Cool project 

[Pete68]

4 hours ago, Rockford said:

Very clever stuff. Well done! 

Thanks Steve I appreciate it especially coming from the 1/32 clever guru 😂 

[Pete68]

1 hour ago, Gary Chastain said:

Cool project 

Thanks for stopping by Gary. 

[Pete68]

Did a mock to see where this is going and if those front wheels are going to look right. 

[Biggu]

THAT looks like it should, I LOVE those wheels !! Another stout , beefy looking Mack.... and a B 61 to boot !

[Pete68]

Just now, Biggu said:

THAT looks like it should, I LOVE those wheels !! Another stout , beefy looking Mack.... and a B 61 to boot !

Thanks Jeff for the encouragement. I changed the tires out for more taller ones glad I did like you stated it has that Mack beefy look now. More updates later. 

[BK9300]

Stout is a good description - a 'no-nonsense' truck - looking good, Lee.

[Pete68]

5 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Stout is a good description - a 'no-nonsense' truck - looking good, Lee.

Thanks Brian I appreciate it 

[Bennyg]

Very nice! Those wheels look accurate. I didn’t know Don Mills did 1/43 wheels. I would like some.

Ben

 

[Pete68]

5 hours ago, Bennyg said:

Very nice! Those wheels look accurate. I didn’t know Don Mills did 1/43 wheels. I would like some.

Ben

 

Ben thanks for the complement I appreciate it. Don Mills doesn’t make 1/43 wheels I took his 1/48 front wheels and put the AMT split ring on it. The rear wheels are Don’s 1/48 ones for some reason the 1/43 AMT tires barely fit. Glad to hear from you and thanks for stopping by. 

[Biggu]

Just looking at the B61…..Mack got it right on with the mascot. The B series single axle trucks look like little bull dogs , such a cool old truck. Love what you’re doing with this. Keep going it is so cool 

[Pete68]

1 hour ago, Biggu said:

Keep going it is so cool

Yes Alfred Masury had a wonderful idea that day in the Hospital when he Carved the Bulldog. The B models are one of my many favorites of the Mack’s and yes they have that Stubby Bulldog look like the AC where it got it’s name from the British in WWI because of the toughness and it’s stubby hood reminded them of a Bulldog. You either Like Mack’s or don’t like Mack’s I’ve found out among truckers over my life. Me personally they have always been my favorite. I’m very fortunate to get to drive 2 of these in my life one was a 1965 B67 flat back with a QuadPlex and the other was a 1964 B61 flat back with a Triplex. When I first started this build I really didn’t like the way it was going for years. Now since I’ve figured this wheel/tire problems out it will probably be done by the end of the week. Jeff thanks for your support and others keeping me going on this. 

Edited January 1 by Pete68

[Bennyg]

20 hours ago, Pete68 said:

Ben thanks for the complement I appreciate it. Don Mills doesn’t make 1/43 wheels I took his 1/48 front wheels and put the AMT split ring on it. The rear wheels are Don’s 1/48 ones for some reason the 1/43 AMT tires barely fit. Glad to hear from you and thanks for stopping by. 

Thanks for that!

Ben