Mercedes-Benz L 4500 R Maultier Construction
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/3/2/0/42320-10244-11-pristine.jpg)
Engine with first paint on (20 engine parts assembled)
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/3/2/1/42321-10244-87-pristine.jpg)
Still corrections need to be done...
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/3/2/2/42322-10244-30-pristine.jpg)
...and the engine needs a washing and a bit of dirt...
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/7/7/1/42771-10244-75-pristine.jpg)
First steps on the frame (so far 56 frame parts assembled - another 21 to come)
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/3/1/2/43312-10244-76-pristine.jpg)
Engine and exhaust added to the frame; steering- and drive axle prepared
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/3/1/3/43313-10244-67-pristine.jpg)
Exhaust painted in Humbrol 27004 Gunmetal Metalcote and washed with thinned Humbrol 113 Matt Rust
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/3/1/4/43314-10244-79-pristine.jpg)
Trailer coupling - towing bolt and handle to open/close the coupling is not in the kit
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/3/6/6/43366-10244-91-pristine.jpg)
Handle and bolt added to the coupling
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/3/6/7/43367-10244-77-pristine.jpg)
Suspension, front- and drive-axle added to the frame
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/4/3/9/43439-10244-78-pristine.jpg)
Steel cabins instrument panel is bigger with additional buttons/parts for Maultier version. I had to tansfer the buttons to the Einheitsfahrerhaus panel.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/4/4/0/43440-10244-25-pristine.jpg)
Present stage of instrument panel. Dials are simple paper-prints covered with clear laquer.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/4/4/1/43441-10244-59-pristine.jpg)
The seats were to shiny. So I covered them with silk paper.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/4/4/2/43442-10244-94-pristine.jpg)
Seats with first paint on. I intend to paint them a bit darker.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/4/7/4/43474-10244-24-pristine.jpg)
I didn't like the flat appearence of the pedals. So I added some rips, which prevent the boots from slipping off the pedal.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/4/7/5/43475-10244-30-pristine.jpg)
This is the result of the pedal modification.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/4/7/6/43476-10244-44-pristine.jpg)
The flat surface of the cooler's inside I modified with some mesh and painted it. You won't see it anymore, but... I just wanted to do it...
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/5/5/1/43551-10244-51-pristine.jpg)
Cabin front: All parts glued. Seems my first masking tape trials on the windscreens went well.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/5/5/2/43552-10244-65-pristine.jpg)
Added some stains and dirt to the floor, but just a bit.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/5/5/3/43553-10244-16-pristine.jpg)
Wheels prepainted and testfitted.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/7/0/2/43702-10244-51-pristine.jpg)
Cargo bay and cabin assembled and dry-fitted to the frame
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/0/4/3/44043-10244-42-pristine.jpg)
The cooler so far. I'm thinking about painting the Mercedes star in black...
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/0/4/4/44044-10244-76-pristine.jpg)
If you're stupid enough to break something, you got to repair it. Have a look at the nice details of the jigs for the idler wheels. Good job, Zvezda!
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/5/1/2/44512-10244-77-pristine.jpg)
As per instruction idler wheel jigs have to be glued in the last stage of assembly. My recommendation - fix the idler wheel jigs before glueing the wheels and cargo bay.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/5/8/2/44582-10244-18-pristine.jpg)
Right side of tracks (Friul ATL-114) assembled. Small parts, but handling is easy and fun!
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/5/9/8/44598-10244-57-pristine.jpg)
Here we are! Tracks are connected and dryfitted. A bit more than 100 links per side.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/5/9/9/44599-10244-59-pristine.jpg)
Now I believe to know, what for the steel rails on the frame are. The bolts of the tracks weren't fixed. The rails were pushing them back into position. A technique still found on Russian tanks like the T-55. So the rails need some scratches painted.
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/0/3/1/45031-10244-51-pristine.jpg)
Weathering the tracks with thinned paint and pigments is always a mess... After that I got to clean up the work-bench before continuing with anything else.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/0/3/2/45032-10244-66-pristine.jpg)
...but I like the result!
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/0/3/3/45033-10244-20-pristine.jpg)
Spare tyre - you nearly won't see it later, but...
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/2/7/6/45276-10244-48-pristine.jpg)
Got the tracks on the wheels.
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/2/7/7/45277-10244-39-pristine.jpg)
Front tyres added. They're fixed in left-turn position.
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/2/7/8/45278-10244-83-pristine.jpg)
Windscreen-wipers with black rubber lids painted, but... it's hardly to see.
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/4/8/6/45486-10244-60-pristine.jpg)
Nothing fixed, nothing finished. Just to see, where it's heading.
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/4/8/7/45487-10244-98-pristine.jpg)
Different stages of painting on hood, cabin and cargo bay.
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/4/8/8/45488-10244-91-pristine.jpg)
Strange, but interesting look without the fenders.
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/0/6/4/46064-10244-91-pristine.jpg)
I didn't like the smooth surface of the step plate. I used some mesh left over from a Tamiya kit (1), glued it on the plate (2) and painted some layers on it. Final layer was clear satin laquer (3).
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/0/6/5/46065-10244-16-pristine.jpg)
Figure painting - a nightmare for me. This is the start. Still a lot to do!
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/0/6/7/46067-10244-32-pristine.jpg)
The MiniArt driver fits nicely in the cabin.
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/4/3/0/46430-10244-98-pristine.jpg)
That's, what I can get out of a figure with my present skills. Not good, but I'm satisfied.
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/4/3/1/46431-10244-55-pristine.jpg)
Driver in place! Don't expect more. I'm glad that I came that far with the figure.
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/8/6/9/46869-10244-79-pristine.jpg)
The Einheitsfahrerhaus Maultier had a cooler frame. I scratchbuilt it from the thin metal of a candlelight and Evergreen L-shaped profiles.
![Album image #42 Album image #42](/albums/img/9/5/4/46954-10244-83-pristine.jpg)
Cooler frame, Notek and front lights added.
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/9/5/5/46955-10244-41-pristine.jpg)
Cargo bay fixed to the frame.
![Album image #44 Album image #44](/albums/img/0/3/3/47033-10244-97-pristine.jpg)
Driver's cab from above. I will not fix the roof. Perhaps the driver will receive a co-driver later.
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/0/3/4/47034-10244-77-pristine.jpg)
Left side
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/0/3/5/47035-10244-19-pristine.jpg)
Left front side. The wall of the driver's cab is still too clean inside the engine room.
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/0/3/6/47036-10244-85-pristine.jpg)
Front side - windscreen wipers fixed and masking tape removed from the windscreens.
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/0/3/7/47037-10244-87-pristine.jpg)
Right front side
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/0/3/8/47038-10244-30-pristine.jpg)
Right side. The metal parts of the Maultier received a satin coating. This explains the difference of colour shading of engine hood and cargo bay.
![Album image #50 Album image #50](/albums/img/0/3/9/47039-10244-75-pristine.jpg)
Back side - Uuups, the towing bolt slipped downwards a bit. I will fix, once the Maultier received its towing gun.
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/0/4/0/47040-10244-36-pristine.jpg)
Upper side - Looks pretty clean because of the flash light...
![Album image #52 Album image #52](/albums/img/0/4/1/47041-10244-70-pristine.jpg)
Underside
Comments
2 4 November 2012, 23:19
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Startet with the Mercedes-Benz L 4500 R today. So far I constructed the engine and painted the first layers. After paint has dried enough, corrections will have to be done, followed by washing and some dirt.
4 November 2012, 23:24
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Hi Holger, quite simple.
I've got 2 Maultier, 2 4500S Einheitskabine and 1 4500A steel cab.
So I'll built one Maultier OOTB, another Maultier with the Einheitsfahrerhaus (does not exist as plastic kit), one 4500S Einheitsfahrerhaus OOTB and one 4500S with the steel cab (does not exist as plastic kit), which remains of the Maultier kit, which I'll built with Einheitsfahrerhaus. Last, but not least the 4500A OOTB. In the project are just 3. The other 2 OOTB will follow..sometime....
5 November 2012, 10:28
![](/profiles/img/10232-810-s.jpg)
Be convinced, i´ll follow this build with interest! Will you apply the camos from the boxart?
5 November 2012, 10:32
![](/profiles/img/11051-s.jpg)
Hi Frank - I have build the "first" kit last year. It was pure fun...:-D
The start looks good.
5 November 2012, 11:07
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
@Mike: So far it's fun! The parts fit nicely, the kit has good details, but ask again, when I start the third one...😉
However, may be one of them might become a civilian version used by a logistics company that time. Who knows...
5 November 2012, 13:38
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
@Mike: ...well, since those kits share a lot of same parts, I fear, it could become a bit boring, when I reach the third one... I'll probably play a bit with the colours...
5 November 2012, 17:30
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
First steps on the frame (so far 56 frame parts assembled - another 21 to come)
11 November 2012, 01:45
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Only the frame without any add-on parts like suspension, axles, wheels has 71 pieces. The whole kit consists of only 426 parts...
11 November 2012, 08:16
![](/profiles/img/10149-s.jpg)
Looks really great! But - you should stop counting those parts, otherwise this will avoid making any progress with the build. :-D
11 November 2012, 08:24
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Some more pics added. Pics 5 and 6 show my progress last Sunday. Pic 7 is the trailer coupling, but... no bolt at all.
15 November 2012, 18:22
![](/profiles/img/10287-s.jpg)
Anhängerkupplung?
Hier werden Sie geholfen:
etsy.com/listing/821..icle-rear-tow-pintle
15 November 2012, 18:59
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Danke, Christian! Dann bekommt das Maultier doch seinen Nippel für die Lasche...
15 November 2012, 19:01
![](/profiles/img/10287-s.jpg)
Ich hab´ da vor einiger Zeit das Set für die 7,62cm Pak bestellt (pimp my Diana 😉 ), der Service war einwandfrei und die Qualität der Teile ist hervorragend.
15 November 2012, 19:32
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Hi Christian, mein Problem mit der Anhängerkupplung hat sich von alleine gelöst. Grad kommt der Radschlepper Ost rein, der den gleichen Typ hat. Ich brauche beim Maultier nur den Bolzen und den Griff zum Öffnen hinzufügen, dann ist die Kupplung "meiner" Wirklichkeit nah genug.
Aber nochmals danke für den Link. Da sind gute Sachen dabei, die man sich doch zulegen könnte... 🙂
Skoda RSO-Radschlepper Ost (Riich.Models RV35005, 1:35)
16 November 2012, 11:17
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Small update - I pimped the towing pintle with bolt and handle and glued the axles and suspension to the frame.
17 November 2012, 08:16
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Höhö, für meine Verhältnisse könnte man das so sagen. Hab grad 'nen guten Run... )
17 November 2012, 13:24
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Followed Holger's recommendation. More pics of instrument panel and seats added.
The instrument panel of the Einheitsfahrerhaus is smaller than that of the steel cabin. So I had to modify some parts. Also the seats received a cover of silk paper and first paint. As per instructions the seats should be black, but I decided for leather brown, but will probably paint them a bit darker than they are now.
17 November 2012, 22:16
![](/profiles/img/11051-s.jpg)
...feine Sache das bis jetzt - Frank. -- (ja... und ich lebe auch noch :-D). Aber seit Friedrichshafen habe ich mit den Tücken der modernen Kommunikation zu kämpfen gehabt... - sollte jetzt wieder (fast) alles funktionieren.🙂
19 November 2012, 18:13
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
@Mike: Hatte mich schon gewundert, wo Du und Marina steckst. Schön, dass Du wieder online bist! 🙂
Ich kämpfe mit einer Erkältung, muss aber vor dem Zusammenbruch noch 2 Wochen durchhalten, damit wir unsere Schulungen durchbringen. Das Maultier hält mich dabei bei Laune. Das Ding macht einfach Spass. Ich warte noch auf das Masking Tape für die Scheiben. Solange muss eben die Ladefläche dran glauben...
19 November 2012, 18:23
![](/profiles/img/11051-s.jpg)
...also ich habe die Scheibe nach der Lackierung eingeklebt!! - Müsste eigentlich bei deinem Kit auch gehen.
19 November 2012, 18:27
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Hmm, nicht bei dem! Die Scheibe und der Rahmen sind ein Teil inkl. der Scheibenwischermotoren... Auch wenn das innen ist, sieht man es doch.
19 November 2012, 18:34
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Upps, ich vergass! Statt dem Original Stahlfahrerhaus baue ich ja das Einheitsfahrerhaus drauf. Die Scheiben sind unterschiedlich. Beim Stahlfahrerhaus wäre ich ohne Masking Tape ausgekommen....
19 November 2012, 18:38
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Some more pics added. My first trials ever with masking tape (thanks to Thomas for the extremely fast delivery) went satisfying well. For more info please refer to the captions.
20 November 2012, 23:25
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
It's taking shape. With cargo bay and cabin dry-fitted it gives already an impression of the final thing...
22 November 2012, 23:37
![](/profiles/img/10232-810-s.jpg)
Meine Herren, Frank! Du überholst Dich ja fast selbst! Sieht aber bis jetzt klasse aus Dein Einheitsfahrerhausaufkettengerätmitladeflächengedöns! Was sagtest Du noch, kommt da für ne Tarnung drauf?
23 November 2012, 07:08
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Quietschegelb... äh... Sandgelb. Habe keine buntigen Maultiere gefunden, auch wenn mich dafür eine Hinterhalttarnung reizen würde, nur... die gab's auf'nem Maultier wohl gar nie nicht... Das 2. Maultier mit dem Stahlfahrerhaus wird wohl 'ne Flecktarnung bekommen.
23 November 2012, 10:01
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Benutzt, aber keine Rampensau. Die Frontfender lasse ich weg wie auf der Friulpackung...
23 November 2012, 10:07
![](/profiles/img/11051-s.jpg)
Gib's doch zu - Frank - die Frontfender haste wohl wieder verschusselt...😉
23 November 2012, 13:30
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Hähä, dicht dran oder knapp vorbei. Ich hab sogar vier - die ursprünglichen gemäß Karton und die aus dem EInheitsfahrerhaus Kit...😉
23 November 2012, 13:31
![](/profiles/img/11438-969-s.jpg)
So paint it will be. Great job. Looking forward to the painting. 🙂 Grtz Kim
4 December 2012, 06:45
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Yeah, Kim! Still the old-fashioned way. I know there are special fluids for metall tracks, but... I'm not that far.
4 December 2012, 10:10
![](/profiles/img/12420-662-s.jpg)
Dear Frank, the aging which you made is perfect. Especially the details in dashboard is super. Waiting new pictures.
4 December 2012, 10:19
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
I pre-assembled hood, cabin and cargo bay on the frame, just to get an idea, how the Maultier will look like.
12 December 2012, 23:33
![](/profiles/img/10232-810-s.jpg)
Oh, jetzt kommt Leben in die Geschichte! Looks good, your Maultier!🙂
13 December 2012, 07:34
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
@Holger: Danke! Schau'n mer mal!
@Mike: Bis jetzt... ich werd ihn schon "versauen" und dann in die Ecke schmeissen, aber warten wir mal ab. Vielleicht kommt ja doch was raus am Ende...😉
13 December 2012, 10:46
![](/profiles/img/11051-s.jpg)
Klar kommt was raus bei 😉 - sonst würde ich ja meinen Glauben an Dich verlieren... - :-D
13 December 2012, 10:51
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Autsch, jetzt wird's religiös. Ich "glaube", ich mach erst einmal Mittag!😉😉😉
Danke für Dein Vertrauen, Mike! 🙂
13 December 2012, 10:57
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Update - cabin and hood fixed to the frame. Started with the driver. More info see captions...
18 December 2012, 21:42
![](/profiles/img/10976-s.jpg)
Maythe force be with you when you face the challenge of figure painting
19 December 2012, 06:13
![](/profiles/img/12420-662-s.jpg)
Dear Frank, first of all i want to say that your work is excellent. May i ask you that how you did paint the driver? with airbrush or with brush only?
19 December 2012, 07:18
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Thanks, girls and guys! 🙂
@Fethi: All brush-painted. I don't even own an airbrush...😉
19 December 2012, 08:04
![](/profiles/img/12338-s.jpg)
Beautiful work, congratulation for the manipulation of the brush; I have the L 4500 A version, passably begun and which waits patiently for its tour in the list of "no finished " (and it is long... LOL)
19 December 2012, 10:29
![](/profiles/img/11448-518-s.jpg)
Ahhhhhh ,i knew there was someone besides Augie that dont use an Airbrush!!
It was you ,Mate.
Congrates to your result.Looking forward for the next steps :-D
19 December 2012, 11:25
![](/profiles/img/11448-518-s.jpg)
And yes i agree with you ..painting Figures is Horror 🙂
But we are still young and we can only get better!!
19 December 2012, 11:27
![](/profiles/img/12420-662-s.jpg)
@Frank: incredibly beautiful nice work. There is no any brush traces.. no need to words 🙂
19 December 2012, 12:25
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Thanks, Fethi!😉 Photographing technic helps... There are enough brush traces, but for military vehicles still ok...!
19 December 2012, 12:40
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Scratchbuilt the cooler frame typical for the Einheitsfahrerhaus Maultier.
30 December 2012, 16:20
![](/profiles/img/10976-s.jpg)
Well done Frank. These small details make the difference 😉,
30 December 2012, 16:58
![](/profiles/img/10803-s.jpg)
Very well done so far. This model will be great when finished. Grear details so far. So keep it comming mate!
30 December 2012, 20:09
![](/profiles/img/10923-723-s.jpg)
Great scratchwork Frank, I want to see more of this nice work, greetz Phil
30 December 2012, 22:08
![](/profiles/img/10149-s.jpg)
"Candlelight-Scratchbuild", now you're going to become romantic, don't you? 🙂
31 December 2012, 06:59
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Ok, this is as far as I will get in 2012 - cooler frame, lights and cargo bay fixed. Actually only 10 parts are missing and the construction will be finished. In 2013 it'll get its final paint! See you all next year...!😉
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
31 December 2012, 16:28
![](/profiles/img/10923-723-s.jpg)
This one comes nicely together, great job Frank, SU next year,
Happy New Year for you and your family
Greetz Phil
31 December 2012, 16:32
![](/profiles/img/10715-s.jpg)
Hallo Frank,
nice work, but for the drivers face, I miss some shadows in his face. He more looks like an dummy, than a human. 😉
Happy new year
Arne
1 January 2013, 10:03
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Happy New Year, Arne! 🙂
Thanks for the advise! My first figure after years. Also the area around the eyes looked ok to me, but on the photos... 🙁 I'll have to work on figure painting. May be SCM meeting on Wangerooge will be a good chance...😉
1 January 2013, 10:10
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
For me the Maultier is finished now.
Last pictures of the album show a walkaround. I took them with flash light, so the colours and shades appear somewhat different than they actually are.
During daylight I will take more pictures and publish them on whatever website is courageous enough to accept them.
Hope you liked following my progress. Another 1400++ kits to go to improve my skills...😉
1 January 2013, 19:17
![](/profiles/img/11448-518-s.jpg)
Hi Frank
How can a year start better !!!!
(Yes i know there are some other things but psssst)
Looks great but i want better pics. in daylight or so.
Very well done ,Mate.Looking forward for more Pics. 🙂
1 January 2013, 19:27
![](/profiles/img/10232-810-s.jpg)
Very, very cool model! Frank you still impress me, not to use an airbrush. This paintjob and the weathering ist superb, in my oppinion. And i like the driver. He looks as if he thinks: Uups, that wasnt a fart...
Great build, Frank (and quick)! Looking forward the other 2 models!🙂
2 January 2013, 07:30
![](/profiles/img/10244-398-s.jpg)
Thanks Holger! I'm just thinking off continuing with the L4500S, since the box is already open, because I took the Einheitsfahrerhaus for Maultier.
I would like to do it in civilian colours e.g. a truck of a forwarding company, but... I haven't found any colour plates of civilian trucks that time. Pale blue might be a choice. Any guess, what other colours could be ok?
[img1]
2 January 2013, 07:52
![](/profiles/img/10232-810-s.jpg)
I have seen a restored car like yours in Jevergrün RAL 6005 formerly known as British Racing Green. That looked very cool!
2 January 2013, 08:10
![](/profiles/img/10149-s.jpg)
Ich wüde auch sagen - dunkelgrün mit schwarzen Kotflügeln, sowas habe ich auch schon gesehen. Oder Weinrot mit schwarzen Kotflügeln. Schwarz mit grauen Kotflügeln geht sicher auch ganz gut. 🙂
2 January 2013, 08:13
![](/profiles/img/10803-s.jpg)
@ Holger: "Jevergrün" Das war klar! 🙂
@ Frank: Top Modell Dein Muli! Wird der noch beladen?
2 January 2013, 15:56
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@Christian: Danke Christian! Freut mich, dass er Anklang findet.
Mein Projekt ist ja etwas grösser. Gemäß der geplanten Anhängelast (8,8 cm PaK 43/3 L/71 - ob die jemals an ein Maultier angehängt wurde, weiss ich nicht, ist mir aber Wurscht) werden wohl noch ein paar Munitionskisten folgen, aber das kommt später.
2 January 2013, 16:25
Album info
Construction of the Mercedes-Benz L 4500 R Maultier with Einheitsfahrerhaus