Italeri Mercedes-Benz Actros MP4 GigaSpace
Alrighty, let's see what we've got here...
This process actually started months ago - planning out the colors, build sequence, and scratchbuilding is half of the fun for me!
Gonna start with the powertrain (since I'm waiting on some photoetch tools that I'll need for the chassis.) I picked this kit for a very specific reason - the heart of this truck is the OM471, whose American cousin I am intimately familiar with. It's coupled with what might be a G281-12, far as I can tell, and a Euro V catalytic converter. I'm gonna have a lot of fun with this one 🙂
Time to nitpick... No exhaust manifold, not molded into the cylinder head/crankcase assembly, nor as a separate part. Gonna need to figure something out, including the bolt-on heat shield.
High pressure fuel pump is missing too. Should be on that upper boss on the rear geartrain/flywheel housing.
The boost pipes, both hot an cold, have the boots and intercooler horns integrally molded. Not how I wanted to build it, so maybe I'll separate those.
The viscous clutch on the fan will need some fins cut in.
Top side of the transmission is missing the shift module and TCM.
No water brake on the back end of the transmission. My research so far seems to suggest that they're common in these trucks, so I'll have to decide if I'm gonna scratch build one.
My photoetch set from CTM has a relief for the top of the valve cover.
Volutes for the turbine aren't very well defined on the included turbocharger :/
I'll need to mill out a recess in the crankshaft pulley for the fan belt layer. Pulley for the water pump layer is fine staying smooth - I've seen some harmonic dampers like that before so that'll be fine.
No thermostat on the oil cooler/filter housing module where it should be. Add that to the list.
I can't imagine why the thermocouples and NOx sensors weren't molded into the ATS... am I being unrealistic?
DEF tank will need some of the header components fleshed out, and I'll be plumbing in the coolant and DEF lines for the chassis.
Made a trip to the ol' LHS for some more supplies (ok, two trips). Gonna try this brand of metallic paints for the exterior.
Chassis colors.
Interior colors.
Some exquisite Czech photoetch.
What I ordered...
...what I got
It'll live right here.
Fleshed out the details on the transmission a bit more.
Sprayed grey primer from the bottom up, then white from the top down.
Added the alternator and idler pulley to the accessory belt drive.
Boost pipes separated. Added a throttle valve because I'm out of control.
Post-resonator air compressor intake should be made of a ribbed flexible hose. Thanks for Brian Love for the trick!
This will be installed right here after the rest of the components are mounted.
MCM should live here.
Added the missing thermostat to the water pump/oil cooler module.
All cold side components are finished and ready for paint! Hot side is next!
Hot side parts done! Turbo heat shield thinned, turbine volute added, crankcase spinner detailed, scratchbuilt exhaust manifolds, exhaust heat shields, and EGR valve actuator.
Powertrain parts primed and waiting!
Retarder and its hoses complete, along with the power steering pump and TCM
Tuesday plans fell through... let's make the best of it!
Crankcase color match is spot on! Still a lot of masking, airbrushing, and hand painting remaining on this assembly
These parts also need further processing
And these are awaiting on some Semi Gloss Black to show up in the mail... apparently there isn't a single bottle on this continent right now
Lots of other parts finished though
Much farther along than I thought I'd be before the holiday!
Painting is, for the most part, finished!
EGR actuator and its coolant lines
Common rail-to-injector fuel lines
Thermocouples, pressure sensors, and NOx sensors wired up... more harness coming soon.
White and Clear background waterslide decals for the various labels and tags on the engine
First trial of the exterior paint, by the way. Main color on the right, stripe color on the left. Some process tweaks might be needed, and the clear coat will be much thicker.
Some of the more visible rear crossmembers will be replaced by PE parts
These slots, originally meant for the plastic crossmember, will need to go
Rear half of the chassis is ready to go!
Tamiya Fine Gray Primer on the major chassis components
And just like that, gunmetal color applied
Very satisfied with how the color looks
Perfect amount of gloss in it
Gen 2 Fifth wheel schmoo turned out well
Concept for the exterior paintwork, using the last page of the kit instructions. Design will be simple, just want to make sure it flow on the various surfaces alright. Colors will be much darker than this.
Oddly enough and out of nowhere, around the time I started thinking about how the paintwork would look, my employer released some coloring book pages on the corporate intranet. Precisely what I needed!
PE kit comes with some StackaDimes to apply to the fuel tanks. Thinking of leaving the straps as bare metal and installing after paint.
I've finally discovered the magic of Alclad
It seems to have worked! 400 grit linear grain on the fuel tanks to simulate rolled metal
Started over with paint on the fuel tanks, now all is right in the world. The rolled grain is still very subtly visible.
Engine mounted to the chassis for the first time!
These parts came off of the engine to get it in between the frame rails. Some will require minor rework, but this was expected.
These parts are done and awaiting installation.
Wheels on!
A lot left before the chassis is done, but progress has been good
Filled and sanded the cavities on the bottom of the floorpan and bunk. I also have a spare bunk from my other Actros kit (more about that one later...) so I'll be able to install both in the unfolded position.
Added some handles for the overhead storage compartments.
All parts mounted and primed
First layer for most of the parts, and attempting some countershading for the interior walls.
More colors added.
Really liking how the colors look together so far
Ok, I admit it, I'm addicted now.
Ready for assembly!
This photoetch feels like cheating...
Almost there...
Cabin complete!
The weather is starting to be not awful in my part of the world. Making the most of it while sanding all of the exterior parts
Need to add some holes in the front grilles - these will line up with the holes in the PE set
Only 4,671,505,914 holes to go
Completed the lower grill as well... on more part left, then I can start painting!
Removing the wiring and hoses molded into the front panel. These will be added back in more detail after the body color is applied.
All remaining parts, mounted and ready for paint
Coiling some wire for the trailer air and electrical lines
Gloss black basecoat before assembly
Alclad on the inside surfaces of the lenses for the mirrors
A few additional touches for the chassis, while everything else is in progress. Spare wheel with scratchbuilt carrier, some air hoses (waiting on gladhand conenctors), and some adhesive backed Bare Metal Foil for the rear heat shield on the engine.
Cab panels assembled, and gaps filled
Masked the windows and sanded the joints smooth
Touched up the black basecoat after sanding
Metallic emerald green main color by Turbo Dork. Tricky to lay down, but this paint looks awesome. Hard to capture the true effect under artificial light. Clear coat will help it to really pop.
Exterior parts masked for the secondary color
Stripes done. "Afterburner" color shift gold, also by Turbo Dork.
Everything lines up!
Clear coat applied... some orange peel action going on in some places, so there's probably some polishing in my future. The color is looking great though - I'll try to get some natural light pics on a less cloudy day.
Wetsanding all of the exterior parts. 3000, 5000, 8000, 10000, and 12000 grit, changing the water in between to avoid cross contamination.
First stage of polishing brightens up the sanded parts quite a bit!
Loving the shine so far. This Tamiya polish is definitely going to be a permanent part of my process now.
Everything was polished with blue cap Tamiya, followed by white cap Tamiya
The final assembly process begins!
Many parts to attach, clean, or touch up before it's done
Attaching the cabin heater hoses and vent lines
Mirrors attached, panel lines accented, and I made a start on wiring the electrical connections to the cab.
The rest of the fairings attached as well. Yes, the spare wheel fell off.
Wait, where did these gladhand connectors come from??
These will live right here
Badging added to the sides of the cab
Bumper/grille assembly complete and ready for install. PE lights from the CTM set
Wiring loom and hoses added back to the front firewall
First look at the completed assembly
And now this truck shall adorn my desk for the next couple months
Коментарі
36 2 December 2020, 00:22
Brandon HAlright, time for a progress check! Picked up the most of the supplies I needed, and made a start on the scratchbuilding.
10 December 2020, 00:29
Nigel ChapmanOK so excellent photo etch parts. What about the resin thingy are you going to modify it ? (sorry, is that the fuel pump ?)
10 December 2020, 09:18
Danny Meerthose pe parts look very nice, waiting for some paint and other stuff for my build 🙂
It's mental these days with deliveries, postal services can't handle the large volumes lol
10 December 2020, 09:24
Brandon HMost of the stuff I've had to order lately is from overseas, so I just click Confirm Order and say "See ya in a few months!" That fuel pump (high pressure and low pressure pumps together in one unit) is the first of the scratchbuilt parts I'll have to make for this motor. Some of the stock parts in the kit are beautifully detailed while others, like this one, were completely missed. I probably wouldn't've thought twice about it if weren't surrounded by these engines every day!
10 December 2020, 12:09
Danny MeerCan't wait to see that engine completed 🙂
I'm already happy when my stock engines fit and don't fall out 😛
10 December 2020, 14:02
Brandon HUh oh, the pressure's on! Let the scratchbuilding marathon grind on!
10 December 2020, 20:15
Brandon HTransmission could use a bit more ribbing on the castings. I'll let it cure till tomorrow and then blend it in to the existing details.
11 December 2020, 00:24
Brandon HInching ever closer to a big painting day. Hot side and transmission components ready now, exhaust is next!
21 December 2020, 02:01
Brandon HEnded up spending the much of the day at the workbench rather than at the shooting range. Productive with lots of promising results today, so no complaints here!
23 December 2020, 03:33
Danny MeerPffff....If I could build engines like that, would make a display for it just to show the super detailed engine instead of tuck them away in a truck build 😄 Amazing! 👍
29 December 2020, 14:00
Brandon HEngine, aftertreatment, and transmission are what I'm calling 99% complete! I'll try to do another shoot soon with the cooling package, air box, and DEF tank soon. Can't promise I won't rework the retarder hoses again, and other minute touch ups will surely continue until the whole truck is done.
1 January 2021, 00:54
Brandon HGot the rest of the powertrain components done! This is roughly the arrangement in the truck, though I already know I'll need to rework most of the hoses once this is all mounted in-chassis
3 January 2021, 19:25
Brandon HStill chugging along! Working on the chassis now - lots of flashing and parting lines to remove, and some major crossmembers have been replaced by PE
13 January 2021, 00:07
Brandon HTime to add wiring and hoses and fittings and then get my tweezers stuck together and then get my fingers stuck together
17 January 2021, 00:55
Brandon HChassis coming along great. Major assemblies done, painted, and assembled.
6 February 2021, 14:42
Brandon HMaking progress on the rest of the chassis components, as well as my plan for the body paintwork!
12 February 2021, 19:55
Nigel ChapmanLooks great. Like your colour concept. Good idea using the colouring book images
12 February 2021, 22:41
Brandon HChange of direction with the fuel tanks - the color came out a lot darker than I expected at first, and my research suggests they should actually be a much brighter aluminum, with the straps painted black. After a few repainting sessions, I have something I can live with. In other news, the engine finally in the chassis!
24 February 2021, 00:07
Nigel ChapmanIf does not already, you have to make the cab tilt to show off that engine.
24 February 2021, 02:15
Brandon HIt does indeed, and I think I'm leaning that way for the final build up!
24 February 2021, 11:49
Brandon HWoohoo! Chassis completed at last. Some finagling to get the cooling package and the rest of the coolant, power steering, and DEF hoses installed, but overall I'm happy with the fitment. Now it's time to clean off the bench and shift gears to start working on the top side parts.
6 March 2021, 17:38
Chaz GordonSheesh, and I thought I was getting detailed adding a bracket to a ubiquitous floating alternator. This is going to be so realistic, it should be tailgating a small hatchback.
12 March 2021, 21:26
Alexander GrivonevLooks like you know your stuff about trucks! Some amazing work right there👍👍 Beautiful!
12 March 2021, 21:34
Bill NewcomerWow that is a lot of stuff packed onto the chassis. Great detail work Brandon.
13 March 2021, 05:45
Mark BootsThis is such a cool build! I love it. Thanks for sharing all your progress.
13 March 2021, 06:02
Brandon HThanks, everyone, for the encouragement!! I'm having a lot of fun with the build and I'm glad to see people are enjoying the journey!
13 March 2021, 16:14
TreehuggerDoes the conversion kit make the wheels larger in diameter, or, are the wheels the same size?
13 March 2021, 16:33
Brandon HNo change to the wheels - these are the stock parts form the kit. The rear wheel arches do seem to hug the tires quite closely, but from what I can tell, the OOB position is consistent with the real thing. These Italeri wheels and tires are a refreshing contrast from the AMT kits I was raised on!
14 March 2021, 15:15
Brandon HThe next major assembly is done! Lots of fun details here, some as molded from the kit, some from the photoetch set, and some touches of my own. The home stretch is next - time to give this rig some skin!
28 March 2021, 17:38
Bill NewcomerWow! You execution of detail is very impressive. It is a shame the engine is not on a stand just to admire the artwork that is is.
29 March 2021, 02:11
Martin OostromI'm stunned by the amount of detail and the quality of your paintwork. You deserve a place in our modeler's Pantheon
29 March 2021, 06:35
Brandon HThere's a Pantheon for that?! But really though, thanks for all the compliments guys! Quite humbling.
29 March 2021, 10:58
Brandon HThat's why I like to do the photoshoots for the subassemblies like the engine and cabin. Even if all of my hard work gets hidden away in the finished product, it'll live on forever in photographs!
29 March 2021, 11:01
Alexander GrivonevThe charging phone is truly the icing on the cake, beautiful work 👍
29 March 2021, 14:00
Urban GardiniLove the kinks in the cord to the smart phone. I'm not interested in lorries but this is well worth watching as I love scale modelling...
29 March 2021, 16:48
Brandon HSo much love for the phone! Thanks, guys. The little details like that always make me smile, so I'm glad to be among like-minded company!
29 March 2021, 18:59
Brandon HMarching ever towards completion! Lots to do in this final phase of the build
10 April 2021, 23:22
Nigel ChapmanDamn Brandon, you must have the patience of a saint drilling out all those holes! I would have cut the section out and just mounted the PE grill
12 April 2021, 12:36
Brandon HI did consider it, but I didn't think there'd be enough left to support the PE parts. Still more fun then filling ejector pin marks IMO...
12 April 2021, 13:16
Brandon HJust about all of the pre-processing for the exterior parts is complete! Painting will be underway soon...
29 April 2021, 14:18
Brandon HThe first of many paint sessions in this final push. Gloss black base coat for the main cab panels. Many of the the smaller parts can go in the done pile now.
10 May 2021, 14:20
Brandon HFinally got some color laid down! Quite happy with the results so far, although the photos don't do it justice at this point
23 May 2021, 22:17
Nigel ChapmanYeah, the photos make it difficult to see. What colours have you used ?
24 May 2021, 02:03
Brandon HIt's a very deep emerald green that I can't get to look good under artificial light, and a color shift gold for the accent (shifts from slightly orange to slightly green).
No trailer plan for this truck yet, but I haven't ruled it out as a future project!
24 May 2021, 13:21
BozzerThis build, reminds me so much, of the Scania that I currently have on my bench. I can't wait to get it finished and on the shelf.
24 May 2021, 20:12
Brandon HI was able to get some pictures outside yesterday - it was late, so lighting still isn't ideal, but the Michigan sun isn't known for being particularly cooperative.
25 May 2021, 12:17
Brandon HThanks Martin! I'm really happy with how the colors look. Now I just have to polish everything...
26 May 2021, 10:55
Brandon HWe are gathered here today to celebrate the union of the cab and the chassis... by the power vested in me by the State of Michigan, I now pronounce thee, almost a truck
16 June 2021, 14:21
Brandon HThanks guys! This one doesn't feel too big to me, but my last several projects have all been trucks. This one is absolutely dwarfed by the Pete 378 in the cabinet next to my bench!
16 June 2021, 18:14
DennisTrue: first time I was in the states for vacation I've been thinking: damn! Those trucks around here are huge!
16 June 2021, 18:22
DennisThey people of Australia shall forgive me because i have not wandered their beautiful land yet to experience the greatness of their Trucks. 😄
17 June 2021, 06:38
TreehuggerWhat does the three colored cables mean? Are they not all for air? Or, maybe they are all for pneumatic pressure with air, but going to three different things on the carriage?
18 June 2021, 14:56
Brandon HThat's a generous use of the term, but thanks Jonn! It is indeed a struggle, in the final stages of the build, to not get excited and rush through it!
18 June 2021, 15:21
Bill NewcomerTreehugger. Semi trucks need air pressure to release the brakes (not apply them) One will be for normal service braking (blue in US), one for emergency or park brakes (Red in US) and one will be for the wiring to the lights (Black or Green). In the event the tractor and trailer separate while going down the road, the air lines will be severed and apply the brakes on the trailer which are spring loaded.
19 June 2021, 02:17
Brandon HBill's right on the money, Treehugger, sorry I missed that earlier. In my research I found yellow as an occasional alternative for the service brake, which, when viewed from the right, gives a nice little German flag for my Daimler Truck colleagues. All trailers will have those three standardized connections, but there are some obscure applications out there that need additional connections, such as engine coolant for heated trailers.
19 June 2021, 13:57
Brandon HFinally got these connectors installed, now everything from the front axle backward is finished
21 June 2021, 13:39
Brandon HCrossing the finish line at last, 7 months later! Still have to clean up and make a few touchups here and there before the final photoshoot, but for now, just enjoying the immense satisfaction of gluing the last piece into place
25 June 2021, 12:58
Brandon HAnd it's done! Quite a long project, but very enjoyable. The kit was quite good, and the PE set and metallic paint turned out well. Thanks, everyone, for coming along for the ride and providing encouragement along the way!
Another album from a better camera here: Italeri Mercedes-Benz Actros MP4 Gigaspace - with a real camera! | Album by brahoff (1:24)
27 June 2021, 22:10
Chaz GordonOutstanding work. The only thing that would make it more realistic is a small hatchback attached to the front bumper...
30 June 2021, 13:06
Brandon HMaybe later on. I think a nice curtainside trailer would go well with it. I need to make a dent in my backlog of other projects first though!
1 July 2021, 12:14
BozzerBang on, that! Definitely bravo for attempting a European truck mate! I couldn't get close to that, and I live in England! I agree with the curtainsider too! Much more common over here. Excellent job mate!!! I need to get some benchtime in and pull my finger out. Looking forward to seeing your next build brother 🙂
1 July 2021, 16:47
Brandon HThanks Bozzer! I'm quite happy with it. Back to the states for the next one, and I think you'll like where it goes. Excited to see what you've got cooking as well, looks like you've amassed quite the collection of vintage kits!
1 July 2021, 21:16
BozzerLol, i have mate. Love my USA trucks! I have some fun builds planned, when I can get a break from work. I currently have two Mack AC's on the go too. I have to get the decals on my Euro first, but I have to be in the right mind frame for that. They're big buggers and i don't want to rush them. Looking forward to seeing your next build brother. Keep safe and keep up with the amazing work 👍
3 July 2021, 09:35
Brandon HHome sweet cubicle, for the next few months. The GMC will come back to the ranch for a well deserved retirement
12 July 2021, 23:27
