Gary Richards, national manager - product management & promotion for Mack and Volvo downunder has sent me these shots of Classic Mack Bulldog roadtrains plus a stunning model of one created by Peter Murray. However, it's more than just a straight build-up of an existing kit---rather it's a major modification of two, existing, shop-bought 1:43 scale plastic models (and you can see all the changes Peter made by clicking through to the next section."
Gary say: "I pass on this mail in the hope that it not only reflects the passion of some of our Mack fans but it also captures a time when Mack was truly 'King of the Road' in Aus..in this our 90th year in this wide brown land!!" And to Peter he says: "Thanks for sharing a stunning piece of work !!. I am sure the Absolons would be amazed at the detail you have captured in this 1/43rd scale replica and I look forward to seeing your next spread tandem version. We would greatly appreciate any period pics - especially if you have any history that goes with them.".And BLB suggests that if any readers have any Classic Aussie Bulldog material they send it to
Peter picks up the story thus: "The legionary B Model Mack Road Train - revisited! About 5 months ago I embarked on a journey down memory lane. After visiting a model shop in
Now Peter continues: "Anyway - I've transformed it all into a fairly/generally typical 1960ish Australian 2 trailer road train. Well sort of - probably a tad over specked for its day - too many mud flaps for a start!" And below is a shot of the original tractor with the revowrked one on the lefty...
"We are talking about a time when if you ran a trailer with more than 3 side lights you were considered a mug lair. Which reminds me of a bloke who was nick named 'side light' - 'cause he wasn't very bright!"
And here's the finished product five months on. Pete adds: "The 'danger' signage is a bit over regulation too - remembering orange flashing lights hadn't even been invented back then - and safety wasn't a word."
So the finished product is a legionary B-61 Mack and 2 X 40ft Haulmark trailers and crates. A '2 ½ K' rig as it would have been invoiced out as. Or 2 'decks' in modern speak. 32ft equalled 1 'K' - the common sized railway cattle wagon of the era - and classified in railway terms as a 'K' Class."
And here's just some of the detail Peter has put into his labour of love.
Including the reworked tractor...
And the trailer coupling...
And shot in a nice diorama too..
If you save these attached photos to a file - and then view them in numerical order - you will see the transformation process. Starting with a couple of real deals, the model as purchased, and then 5 months on. And at the end - is a couple of shots that demonstrate the actual size of this model.
A couple of the features I've included:
- The sleeping kit on top of the lead trailer - the propriety 'cyclone' steel folding stretcher and swag roll.
- Canvas water bag hanging off the left side mirror frame - in the cool breeze and out of the dust (Ha,Ha). A B Model at 60kph made a lot of dust and not much breeze.
- A 'stiff bar' slung across the rear mud flap bracket. Most likely attached with a couple of green hide (leather) straps.
- A 'belly tank' for extra fuel on that long run - slung under the lead trailer on chains and insulated with rust bands. Things that went with tubes and rag tyres - of which Banglop (Dunlop) was a common brand. Or 'Bandaids' as Bandag retreads were known - before they perfected their process.
- Tool boxes and water tanks under each trailer - along with mudflaps all round - including the magical 'nail scrappers' between the axles on the lead trailer.
- 'Pin' type landing legs (wind ups cost more back then), railway wagon style walk ways along the top of the crates. Ring feeders, and spare tyre racks.
- A good sized vice and a long wire rope (and 'D' shackle) on the draw bar of the dolly - in case the dog had to be dropped off on that nasty jump up or greasy creek crossing. The rope is held in place with No 8 gauge wire bolts (the famous Australian 'Cobb & Co twitch').
- Side outlet exhaust pipe, extended air cleaner intake tube, bull bar, single bull light, proper mirrors, big RH side step tank (Yank models had a smaller one or sometimes none on the RHS), conversion to RHD drive, an air tank for the air starter and of course - the regulation sunvisor.
- Painting, lining, signage and some tail lights.
It would have been hard work, with 237 hp and 60 odd ton to move.
Well Pete only if was that good ..try 190 hp and a power band the size of a rubber band about 500 rev's and its off the boil grab another of the 14 at hand 65 odd tropical degree's in the cab two thongs on the loud pedal one turned over so not the lose the skin of your foot, noise to rattle yer brain, no good sleep for weeks, canned dog and warm water to drink ..no showers road house's and keep its going the best you can.. its was a way different turn out to the life our knights of the road enjoy today.
And I suspect 60 ton was just a snack for these fella's.
The real brands that where the mass of the trucks in use came from the UK Leyland ERF Foden Atki and the Inter's, Whites Diamonds KW before Mack. Still nice models congrats
Ray Jay