"I like big trucks...and I cannot lie!"

This is my latest build. It is the M920 MET (Medium Equipment Transporter) used by Engineer units as a prime mover for the M870A1 lowboy trailer hauling equipment such as dozers, loaders, the M9 ACE, or other engineer equipment. It is a 8x6 (8 wheels, 6 powered), with the center axle being a pusher axle that raises and lowers to take some of the weight of the load. It also has a winch to help pull vehicles up onto the trailer.

Here is the actual truck.



With M870A1 trailer.


To make the truck, I am using the Trumpeter M915, parts from the Trumpeter M983A2 LET, the M870A1 trailer from the Trumpeter M983/M870 kit, parts from Meng's M911, and some scratch-building.

So far, I pretty much have the chassis done.

To start, I had to lengthen the frame to an overall length of 319 inches, which is 57 inches longer than the M915. In 1/35, that equates to 42mm. I built the extension out of sheet styrene pieces made into a C channel. Then I added the driven front axle from the M911 kit. Next, I added the pusher axle parts. I found that pretty much all the drive train parts of the Meng M911 kit are on the same sprue, E sprue. I was able to order just that sprue from Meng. I also used the transfer case from a HEMTT, along with the drive shafts from the M911 to finish off the drive train. All the drive train and axle parts fit really well. I am very happy with them.





Next was onto the fifth wheel, Here, I used the heavier fifth wheel from the M983 kit. I scratch-built the ramps and raised platform for it from sheet and c-channel styrene. I also added the rear roller by making its mount out of sheet styrene and the roller from a left over air tank. I finished these assemblies by adding a bunch of bolt heads to them; about 50 all told!




Next was the winch, its hydraulic reservoir, controls, and platform. I modified the winch from the M983 kit by boxing in one end and cutting down the upper frame around it. I made the hydraulic reservoir, control box, and platform from sheet stryrene and c-channels. For the control handles, I used some modified tie-downs and bird shot for the balls. The work platform was made out of c-channel and left over PE screen.




Here is how the triple rear wheels will look. The third set of wheels comes from a 1/32 Monogram trailer kit that happen to be the exect same size as the kit wheels.


Next up is the cab, which will thankfully be a straight out-of-the-box build, with some added details of course.

More to come soon.

You know the M920 & M870 was in the Trumpeter 2020 catalog.

I know. Based on their previous release schedule though, it will be 3-5 years (maybe) before we see it. We sill haven't seen the M1120 w/CHU; 4 years wait so far. I also had already gathered all the kits/parts to do it. Might as well dive in head first.

Very cool Gino, I’ll be watching 👍

Thanks James. More to come later today. I realized I messed up the frame extension and have corrected it.

Thanks for taking one for the team

No problem. I am here to help.

As I said above, after looking at pics of the actual vehicle, I discovered that I had made an error when I lengthened the frame. The full length of 319 inches includes the rear roller, however, I did not include the roller when I added the 42mm.

You can see it below in the spacing between the pusher axle and the fuel tank in the below pics.

Here is the actual truck.



And mine after stretching. You can see how much wider the gap is on mine.


To fix it, I cut 8mm from the frame just behind the fuel tank. This keeps the spacing between the pusher axle and the other rear axles correct, and keeps the locating holes for the forward mud flaps in the correct place as well. I also had to move the transfer case froward and adjust the length of the drive shafts to make it all line up.

Here it is corrected.


Now back to the cab.

Dang, what a pain, but good fix

Thanks James. It actually wasn't that bad, and yes, well worth it.

I was away for a little over a week on a business trip, so not a lot of progress, but some. I completed the interior. I used the kit decal for the instrument panel. I also used some left over decals from some other kits for the placards on the door and instrument panel. I used the kit serial numbers on the door interiors too.



I detailed the area around the shifter with some hand-painted placards as well.




I filled the knockout holes on the ceiling of the interior and added a bit of texture to it. I drybrushed the rear wall and roof OD Green to simulate the soundproofing there.


I have pretty much completed the build. I added the missing support rods on the brush guard as well. It is ready for paint...maybe...


Being a glutton for punishment, I am now contemplating adding an engine. Hhmm??


Opinions?

Opinions? Great job!

Looking good 👍

Thanks guys.

So I went ahead and built an engine for it.

Here is how the engine looks on the M915-M920 series trucks. It is an 855 cu in (14.0 L) Cummins NTC 400 in-line 6 cylinder engine developing 400 hp.


Here is my rendition of it. I had a in-line 6 block from an old civilian truck engine (pictured sitting in the truck in my last post). It looked very close to the Cummings 400, but needed some things deleted and some added. I modeled the right side of the engine since it has more stuff on it (turbo, air cleaner, radiator hose, etc.). The left side is pretty bare. I scavenged the turbo, air cleaner, and fan from a HEMTT. The other parts are scratch from styrene rod, sheet, and tubing (heated and bent to shape). I opened the right side engine access panel as well.






Hopefully it will get into the paint shop soon.

excellent work so far..

Looking good Gino! Your typical great work!

Thanks guys. It has been a fun build so far.

Impressive work. Is it the same version of truck than the kit from Miniman Factory ?

A lot of effort for just a few millimeters in excess !

Hi Alex, yes Miniman Factory did offer an M920 at one point. Thiers is no longer available though. As to the correction, it wasn't that hard and I would rather put in a little extra work to have it right as opposed to close.

gust my 2cents,but I think you have a job on your build well done .

Looks great Gino! I’m somewhat hesitant to do engines, all the wiring and connectors. Crap, now I want to do one, lol 😛

Thanks guys. I am still chugging along on it. I have finished the trailer and am working on the load for it now. The load will be an excavator, sort of like below. I found a die-cast one that was listed as 1/40 scale. When I measured it, it is actually closer to 1/36 scale. It looks pretty good. I currently have it disassembled and am filling holes and adding details to it. Hopefuly, I will find time to post some pics soon.

I got a chance to take some pics of the progress. I have completed the M870A1 trailer by Trumpeter. It went together well, straight out of the box; no issues. It is a really nice kit.





Here is the die-cast excavator that will go on the trailer. It was listed as 1/40 scale, but when I measured it, it was closer to 1/36 and fits perfectly on the trailer.



So far I have it all disassembled and have added some details and filled in some attachment screw holes.

Hasegawa makes a 1/35 scale Hitachi excavator as well although I think it’s a smaller unit than that die-cast version you have.

[/quote]
Hasegawa makes a 1/35 scale Hitachi excavator as well although I think it’s a smaller unit than that die-cast version you have. [/quote]

The Hasegawa kit is a Hitachi 135 - much smaller then what Gino is using. It is basically a 15 ton unit. The picture of the real Army excavator that Gino posted is a John Deere 230, which is a 25 ton machine, so basically about twice the size of the Hasegawa kit. The M870 trailer could haul 2 of the 135s if you could find the deck space to fit them.