MP4 chassis

1
January 21, 2023
The MP4 chassis is ready for paint and all main assembly parts are fitting well. Should work fine to glue the painted parts together later on.
2
January 21, 2023
The chassis was build as flat as possible and it seems to worked out well.
3
January 21, 2023
The steering mechanism build following the instructions was not working for me. I modified the silver part to allow the mechanism to rotate further, which had limited effect. I then decided to extend that connecting rod a few milimeter.
4
January 21, 2023
While the chassis was nicely flat, the right-rear air suspension was tilted inwards somehow... trying to correct this with some gentle tension and heat
5
January 21, 2023
The battery box was the first victim when assembling the chassis. Its small pins were too sensitive and broke when I was trying to dry-fit everything. I removed them and drilled some holes instead. Now I can mount the battery box after the painting with some scratch-build pins.
6
March 13, 2023
Before painting the rear wheelhouses, I painted and glued the rear lights to it. Not sure if it is a clever idea though.
7
March 13, 2023
Finally the Vallejo primer could be applied. It went pretty good, just to reach all places of the chassis was a challenge.
8
March 13, 2023
The rear wheelhouses (&lights) are also primed. They will get the same color as the chassis, just the finish will be done with a satin gloss varnish.
9
March 13, 2023
10
March 15, 2023
Wheels are ready. Painted with Vallejo Metall Colors Aluminium.
11
March 18, 2023
The chassis and assembly parts are painted with Revell Email paint. Im quite happy with the result. Only thing is, that I was hoping for a more glossy finish. Question is, if a gloss top coating should be considered? Any opinion is welcome. I have Vallejo gloss varnish and Tamiya X22 as possible candidates available...
12
March 18, 2023
Getting closer to assemble the chassis... and I am bit scared to weather it.
13
April 1, 2023
I painted the chassis once more with Revell Email paint with a portion gloss varnish to avoid a too matt finish. The texture of the color is a bit rough, but the overall look is fine. Nothing wrong with the Revell color here, it is all about my airbrush skills...
14
April 1, 2023
I detailed the chassis and painted the air springs black. The break discs were painted in steel color.
15
April 1, 2023
Time to get the engine in and attach all parts to the chassis.
16
April 1, 2023
It all went together well. 🙂 The fuel tanks are still missing, as I dont like how their color looks like on the model. Good thing is, that without them, it is way easier to rotate the truck. I guess I will install them after the cabine is on.
17
April 1, 2023

Comments

9 21 January 2023, 10:59

Kyle DeHart
Cool. Looking good!

21 January 2023, 13:05

Andre Louis
Thank you, Kyle!

21 January 2023, 23:28

Shar Dipree
Following. 🙂

15 March 2023, 22:04

Andre Louis
Appreciated, Shar! 🙂

17 March 2023, 16:35

Bozzer
Hey buddy. I built the Scania 730 Imperial Express, and like you, I came across some issues. I took a lot of tips and hints, and I put countless hours into it, especially the engine. When it came time to fix the cab, I was nervous, but it all went well. After I'd added the remaining cab panels, the cab wouldn't open fully!
I've never felt so disappointed with a model, in my life. Hence why I only build American trucks. I do have a Renault Magnum in my stash, but that's for another project. My Scania, is now just a show truck.

18 March 2023, 10:46

Shar Dipree
Looks good. Please, can you take a sharp photo from the engine?

18 March 2023, 12:04

Andre Louis
Shar, some images of the engine are available here: OM 471 LA engine | Album by andrelouis (1:24)

19 March 2023, 13:06

Shar Dipree
Hi Andre, cool. Thanks.
That makes me want to start with my scania by italeri (Scania R730 (Italeri 3879, 1:24))

19 March 2023, 13:23

Bozzer
Shar, just a heads up on that. Don't install the cab mounts and hinges, until you are ready for mating it to the chassis. They're very fragile and can break! Other than that, I really enjoyed putting it together, until I found out that the cab wouldn't fully open, when complete? It's got a lovely V8 engine. Be careful with the orientation of the heads though. My instructions told me to install them, the wrong way around. Later on in the instructions, it shows them installed, the correct way. So check, dry fit, and check again! There's also some very good pictures on the internet, for reference.

19 March 2023, 13:53

Shar Dipree
Hi Bozzer, thanks for your hints.

19 March 2023, 13:58

Bozzer
No worries mate. Enjoy your build 👍

19 March 2023, 15:08

Andre Louis
Hi Bozzer, thank you for sharing your experience! It takes indeed countless hours to build these trucks... my wife is just shaking her head. Mating chassis and cab is really a thing, if the alignment is wrong, the model just doesn't look right. The advantage of the Scania R is, that the interior fits into the painted cab fairly easy. That seems not to be the case for the Actros.

19 March 2023, 19:10

Andre Louis
One more thing: I can recommend this youtube channel: Youtube Video . That guy is repairing trucks and these videos are perfect to see how the real thing looks like.

19 March 2023, 19:13

Bozzer
That was an awesome video, Andre! Thank you for providing the link. I'll watch your build, with great enthusiasm 🙂

19 March 2023, 20:34

Album info

Assembly and painting of the MP4 chassis

MB Actros MP4 BigSpace

43 images

1:24

In progress

1:24 Mercedes Benz MP4 Big Space (Middle Roof) (Italeri 3948)

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