and on the Transmission:

Been hankering to scratch build/convert the 3-axle trailer for the 537???

Well thanks again to our friends at E63 Paper Models you can now print out the plans for FREE! Then either build it directly from the paper cutouts or use them as templates to manufacture the plastic parts yourself!

You might say I went out today and "gotta little mud on the tires".

Installed the finished transfer case, transmission and fifth wheel into my chassis. After that, I gave the whole thing a base coat of flat black, then got to enjoy my favorite part; going at it with the pastels to dirty it all up again!





Great fun!

Oops, still need to install the forward final drive unit so for right now it is a 4x8 not a 8x8.

(Photo credit: RCforum.ru Thanks guys!)

Maybe I'm over doing the whole dirt and grime thing???

The start of an engine for the 537:

My next step on the engine build is the step-down, reduction gear box that mounts on the rear of the engine. As well as driving the vehicle this reduction gear box also provides power to the air compressor for the brakes as well as driving the two short drive shafts (indicated by black arrows) that drive the left and right radiator fan assemblies.

Getting closer:

Yesterday's assignment, now that we have the beginnings of an engine for the MAZ-537 is to open up the engine covers so we can see it.

Hi Michael
realism is perfect and the paint is very well done.
is that the engine is a full scratch or is it a resin block
greetings
jo

That is a T 55 resin engine from Verlinden as is the air cleaner.

The transfer case, transmission and final drives are all scratch.

I am working now on scratch building the reduction gearbox that goes between the engine and the transmission.

Please forgive me if this has been asked and answered before (and most likely by me) but what color is that green and how was it mixed?


This looks great!







Jeff

I am glad you guys like the Russian green paint effect because you are probably gonna want to shoot me when you find out what's going on there!

I started out with a base coat of Tamiya Olive Drab #2 (TS-28) and was just going to give the vehicle a light coating of pastel dust and stop there. Then I noticed that I had one pastel chalk in my collection that I had never used before. It seemed to be the perfect shade of Russian light green so from there I just went crazy!



Sorry the photo does not do the colors justice.

Very impassive model it gives me inspiration on finishing mine. Hope mine comes out halfway as great as yours I'll be happy. Your skill level is incredible.

Happy modeling

Sorry but I left the caption off the above set of photos. They are intended as reference for the wide variation of shades that can be found for this color of lite green.

Thanks Bill, Jeff & Jo, you're too kind. I appricate your positive remarks. I just do what I can and attempt to challenge myself with my model work.

Cheers

Mike, the Chassis Man

A couple more color references for the Russian Lite Green:







Working on a model of this one as well.

F.Y.I. - In the WWII movie "Red Tails" there is one scene where most of the main characters are sitting around talking with the ground mechanic's crew chief and the center piece of the scene is a big V-block engine.

Well instead of actually tracking down a V-12 Allison or Rolls Royce engine for the shot, if you check again you will notice that it is a actually a T-55 / MAZ-537 engine!

Just a little movie trivia!

SOME CAB DETAILS:


Top mounted search light with in-the-cab remote control. Also top center marker light set.


Standard electric horn mounted just in front of driver's side door. (Some vehicles also had twin air horns mounted next to the steering gear box underneath the cab.)


Cab heater detail. (I am guessing this is the cold weather model with the larger auxillary cabin heater and the exhaust pipe up the passenger side of the cab.)


Another interrior detail this time showing the standard heater.

(Photos by Mesterházy Károly)

Celling details - inside control for the roof mounted search light, sun visors, fan and a dome light.