MAN TGM GW-L 2

Bozzer
Here we go again!
You're gonna run out of kits, at this pace?

Bozzer
There's a couple more, for you to seek out 😉

Qwertzel autor
Thanks Boozer. But I think I will build my Unimog first before building this truck. So I won't run out of kits. I always wanted to buy the recovery truck and convert it to a German one, simply changing the cab to a Mercedes Benz Actros or MAN TGM.

Andre Louis
I also got that kit recently! Looking forward to your modifications. My one will be probably just out of the box

Esoteric Surgeon
I seem to remember KFS used to offer a off-road conversion kit for MAN trucks. I'm pretty sure it at least included the bumper which might be hard to scratch build if you can't print it. Can't find the kit anymore tho

Qwertzel autor
I searched on the internet for this kit but I couldn't find it either. We will see how this trick turns out

Esoteric Surgeon
Just realized the bumper out of the box is accurate for offroad already since it's a 4x4, and the same as in your pictures. I had started working on a similar project but with the older MAN TGA kit from Revell as a basis and that required heavy modifications all around. I'm glad you're moving towards more custom projects because they are a lot of fun to get into, and watch other people get into...

Goldman
Nice stocking up and scratch building... Should be a very interesting build.
Actually, I never saw this concept of fire truck with a rear lift and wheeled equipment carts. Can see the benefits of this when a lot of equipment needed to be moved fast (at least until hitting the first step...).

Qwertzel autor
Thanks Goldman. There is another reason why these trucks make sense: You can carry different stuff which is normally loaded by special vehicles. So you don't need different vehicles just this one and the equipment carts and you are ready for nearly everything

Goldman
The headlights guard looks very good to me. Did you use plastic or metal rods? I don't think you can get any thinner with plastic

Qwertzel autor
Thank you Goldman! I used cables. I bended them to the right shape. The outer and inner parts are from the same cable just with and without isolation

Goldman
The tires looks great. Much better than those in the kit. Well worth the investment

Esoteric Surgeon
I have had some success printing thin parts for the kind of headlight detail you are working on. They are very fragile and I've never tried painting them but I think there's a lot of potential for this kind of application. I uploaded a picture here: FDM 3D Printer experiments | Album by Ecko

Qwertzel autor
Currently I don't have a 3D printer but I think of buying a resin printer for such purposes. It would help me a lot with scratch building. Lets see wat the future brings

Andre Louis
Just make sure that you are aware of potential hazards that come along with resin printing.

Esoteric Surgeon
Yes handling resin and post processing it takes a lot of extra work to do properly. And space too. I can't do it at home because I live in a flat with my cat and I have found a filament 3d printer can unlock many possibilities to enhance scratch builds without the hassle and hazards of resin.

Bozzer
I've gotta admit, I had fun with my entry level filament printer, but I now own 3 resin printers too, and they're never turned off. Yes, they do have to be taken care of, especially with regards to the resin, but it's worth it.
At this point I'd better add, all mine are in my purpose built mancave, however I did run them in the house kitchen, for a while.
Each one has it's own personality, kinda like a cat or a car? But once you hone into it, you can create almost anything? The details are immense and your own imagination, is your limit!
I've literally just printed a 1/14 truck, with all the bells and whistles, and I'm happy with the results. It's taken me around 2 weeks, but I did use 6 bottles of High Speed Resin, which without, probably would've taken me another 3-4 weeks?
For you guys in the know, Standard resin prints at roughly 4 layers a minute. High Speed Resin is around 12 layers a minute.
My love for the printers, is because I can print models, that we can't buy?
I love scratchbuilding, but now I can flick my finger and the cab, hood and sleeper are printing, while I'm building the chassis? It's definitely been a game changer in my life, without a doubt.
You definitely need to be aware of the dangers though. Plenty of ventilation, gloves, mask and goggles. I also have mini air purifiers in each printer, and heaters.
And whatever you do, don't smoke near the 99% alcohol!
And most importantly, don't drink it!

Qwertzel autor
Thank you Bozzer for your information and opinion. I will see what the future brings and if it's time to by a printer, I will definitely research and inform myself about it a little more and maybe come back to you guys, because you know the terms of 3D printers definitely better than I.

And don't worry, I do not smoke or drink alcohol. So this won't be a problem 🙂