MAZ 537: Payload III

A quick survey of Facebook modeling groups led to a decision to expand the cab for the Hitachi to something closer to 1/24, rather than use the Suzuki cab (which I have now cut up to see how it looked).



The main objection to the Suzuki is that the profile of the Hitachi cab, surprisingly, mimics that of the White truck cab quite well.



So the main issue was to widen the cab to fit a Recaro seat from the bin. This was done using 3/16" X 1/16" styrene stock along the roof, floor and back of the cab.



This was sufficient to clear the second joystick.



The clear portion was cut from sheet stock to fit, backed with Scale Productions radiator mesh as a rock guard. It's a bit fine but will do. I did not increase the cab dimensions in other directions (height or length) because it would have been a lot of work, and I just want to get it finished.



So it's still a squeeze but for a burly contruction worker, 5'6" and 225 lbs, it will fit fine.



I also decided to use the platform the MAZ V12 motor would have gone into as the basis for the supporting the diggers. That required a bit of cutting to get it to fit on the rear of the chassis instead of the middle section where the Freightliner engine is now located.



In parallel I have been working on the truck cab, but this will be reported separately. I'll also need a front bumper and a structure to support the rebar nipper and rubble gripper when parked over the cab in order to drive to the next disaster.



Finally it will need extendable legs off the rear to prevent the whole thing from toppling over, such as on the Italeri truck accessory kit. This will be scratch built from square styrene tubing once I get to a hobby shop and see what's available. Stay tuned!