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Mercedes L4500R Maultier

Hi Roman, What technique did you use to achieve the look for the windows?

Hi Marc, thanks. For windows on the doors I first airbrushed them with heavily diluted buff enamel (same as I applied general dust to the truck) and when using a brush and enamel thinner washed it off to desired look.

Roman; VERY NICE! We don't often see this kit done up and it's pretty neat how you have done your's. The scheme looks good and those windows look pretty filthy! I would say, though, that about 15 US tons of coal looks like this thing would be more than over-burdened! (Figure bed is ca 7.5 US feet wide x maybe 17 US ft L with a pile ca 4 US ft deep... loose coal weighs around 60 US lb / cubic foot... you have about 510 +/- cf there, or around 30000 Lbs, or ca 15 US tons! Least I could offer is that this thing's cross-country performance would be, well, "poor", with a load like that! PS: The Opel 3t Blitz truck was rated for 1.5 t when converted to the Maultier. This MB L4500 truck was a 4.5t truck - probably as a Maultier would have been down-rated to ca 2.5 - 3t? Even if a 4.5t Maultier, it would be 3x loaded!) But it looks pretty darned neat, anyway! Bob

Bob, that's true.

While Bob's calculation of the weight of the coal suggests it would still be overloaded, according to Nuts and Bolts, the payload of this Maultier was indeed still 4.5 tons, as with the truck. By way of comparison, the Opel Maultier had a 3.6 litre 68PS engine, while the Merc had 7.3 litre 112PS engine. Have to say Roman that your painting and weathering is really very, very nice and I like the touch with the cranky tilt stays, though not sure about the authenticity of the grey finish - but then maybe this is intended to represent a repainted post war vehicle. I have this kit part built and know that it is actually quite an involved build with that very detailed chassis. One day I'll finish it!

You are right, this is post-war truck as can be noticed by post-war license plate. Full build and paint article is available in Scale Model Addict magazine #2.

This is an awesome take on this vehicle. I really dig the coal, the look is quite effective. Top notch weathering as well, plus the subdued blue color is refreshing.

thanks, Paul!

Hi Roman LOOKS great don't worry about the guys who work out all the tons we all make models in our World and the Model LOOK Great.Thanks for the Hard work and the Guts to show us and help us on our next project. Leonel