Following Michael "165thspc" Koenig's excellent M1120 LHS build has inspired me to start a project I have been thinking about for a while. I have begun to convert the Trumpeter M983A1 tractor and parts from the M1120 LHS into an M1074 PLS.

I have been collecting the parts since the M1120 LHS came out late last year. I have collected both kits, the Real Model M983 engine set, tires and wheels from the Hobby Boss M1070 HETS, and additional axle and suspension parts from Accurate Armour's M1070 HETS kit that I ordered from Accurate Armour.

Here is what I am building, an M1074 PLS (Paletized Load System)


So far, I have started by lengthening the frame to the 35' 6" full length of the PLS. I used two frame sections from the LHS kit to do it.



A note on the Trumpeter kit, it is awesome. So far, it has both front steering gear boxes and all linkages. Also, the transfer case is angled as it should be. Its looking good so far.

Here are the AA parts too.



More to come later.

Thanks for the support guys. I have been working on this most of the day today, gotta love 4-day weekends in the military.

I completed the frame.



Here is the front axles. I cut the gear reduction parts off the front differential and replaced it with a non-geared diff cover. I also added the Real Model front air brakes. They look very good. Trumpeter provides the rear air brakes, but missed the front ones. The front wheels are steerable as well. Trumpeter did this area really well. I am waiting to position the wheels until later when I will attach the steering arms as well.



On the rear, I scratched the mounts for the middle axle and used the swing arms from Accurate Armour. I placed the rear axle from the kit in this position. For the rear axle, I used the Accurate Armor axle which is steerable and does not have the gear reduction. The rear axle also has steerable wheels which will be adjusted and set later as well. As luck would have it, the drive shaft needed to go between the third and fourth axle is the same length as the kit driveshaft that goes from the transmission to the transfer case. I was able to use the kit part as there is a new transmission to transfer case driveshaft in the Real Model Engine set.



The build continues....

Dustin - thanks for the compliment. It would be cool if Trumpeter did a kit of the PLS. We'll see.

Brian - That is a cool looking version w/the FRS on back. I don't think I will be that elaborate on the load though; maybe just some arty rounds and powders on it.