Custom build of aMercedes Benz New Actros

[gismow]

Hi...

Today I'd like to show the creation of my custom build Mercedes Benz New Actros.

One day on the Highway I had a look back and I saw the front of a New Actros. From this time on I new, I want to have it as a RC model. The New Actros from Tamiya wasn't on the market yet, so the only way to get it was to build it on my own. The project started in October 2012 and ended in March 2013, a nice winter project.

This was my example

Mercedes Benz New Actros

The only pictures I had were a front view and a side view. I copied them on the size I needed for a Tamiya frame so I could take measures from them.

Front view

Side view

[gismow]

So I started with the front grill. It's build of several single pieces.

Now after it's finished I'd create it from one single piece. Learning by doing















The grill elements have round about 200 holes per strip.

[gismow]

After the lower element of the grill was made, the cabine was the next element











Now it was time for the upper grill element with another 400 holes...





BTW: This is the working area all my models are build...



To get an interruption from all that plastic I stepped over to the saddle plate. I wanted to have a hidden solution with no visible mechanic elements.







The next step was my first try with painting.













As you can see it was my first paint job with a very representative result.

Will be continued soon...

[4X44DAD]

very nice keep up the good work

[gismow]

Next step: The Backlights

The rear mud wings are bought (MAN), but the rear lights are custom build again.





After finalizing the rear lights, the module between the lights was the next part. It holds the distribution board for the rear lights.







After that, I had an absurd idea. I wanted to have a feature that no one other has. So I started to work on a curve light. If the stear is turned, the day lights beneeth the fog light turns into the same direction.

This was the first version



In the middle a bowding cable was fixed and a servo placed in the cabine was mixed into the stear servo.

A few month ago I implemented Version 2 made of brass. It's placed inside the front grill and does not need any servo in the cabine anymore.





Will be continued....

[gismow]

Here's a short video shown the curve light.

And another one...

[gismow]

Some pictures about the making of the rear light

[gismow]

Some pictures about the creation of the handgrips

[gismow]

Next item was the air intake andthe roof.





















After the paint job for the roof was done, I decided to repaint the front.

[gismow]

Next item were the side trim panels. They were made of 2mm and 0.5mm styrene plates.







and the fuel tanks and the holders for the side trim panels













And after another paint party...






Here you can see below the connector for the sound module and above the jumper to configure if the sound module should work with the connector or with the IR Diode.

[gismow]

The last greater sub project were wind deflectors and a roof spoiler with backfire lights.

After some tests I started the construction



























First test...



After the second was done, the spoiler followed...



















The holders for the side bars

[gismow]

Final result before the paint job started







and after the paint job













And a final video of it...

[gismow]

Finally I'd like to give you an overview about the technical facts.

The truck is controlled via a spektrum DX8i and an AR8000 (8ch) receiver.

The speed controller is a Servonaut E20 with cruise control.

The motor is a Servonaut GM32U370.

The sound module is a USM-RC-2 from Beier Electronic

The cruise control is a very cool feature, but the change between forward and backwards is a bit complicated. The lever must be pulled down, after that it must be moved right (forward) or left (backward), back to center and upwards again to the middle. This is an annoying procedure, so I designed a small module based on an ATMEL ATMega328 to do this work for me.



The features:

A seperate channel is used changing the gears. It's a 3-Position switch representing forward, idle speed and backward.

If the gear channel is switched to idle speed, the speed is automatically reduced until the truck is standing still. This is measured by the sound signal the E20 is delivering. If the gear is switched to for- resp. backward, the module simulates the gear process defined by servonaut and after that the standard signal is send to the E20.

If the truck is in idle speed, you an play with the throttle, the sound module will receive the values to play the sounds, but the speed controller will recieve a "newtal" signal, it will not move.

Here's a video showing the procedure.

[gismow]

That's it at the moment.

There are two steps left to finalize the truck.

1. Windows
2. Driving mirrors

Mostly I just added pictures to the postings, because my english regarding RC is not very good. If there are any questions about pictures, details or anything else, please let me know and I will try to answer your questions as good and detailed as possible.

Good night

[Stuff]

amazing!!

[Blender]

I love the integration of the leds into the styrene.

[Exclusive RC]

Beautiful work, looks stunning, I applaud your creativity

[gismow]

Thanx

[crisis time]

Perfect mate just perfect
Very well done

[flatdeck]

Love all the custom touches, and the light just amazing......


Wayne