MAZ 537: Complete (#2 for 2020)

I've been cleaning up the Great Big Shelf O' Doom lately, and if I've managed two builds this month, it's because both were started a long time ago and only needed finishing touches. This one was started in mid-June 2018 (click here), so it really hasn't been on the shelf all that long compared to some other WIPs.



I quite like the chopped top. The shortened cab is also good looking although probably not realistic at 1:1.



The digger arms in stored position needed a platform on the roof to support them. Mirrors from the parts bin are supported by fabricated 1/32" brass rod.




The Russian MAZ 537 8X8 chassis is a military kit from Trumpeter, and the Hitachi double-arm digger is from Hasegawa; both are 1/35 but I am assuming they are smaller units that would look as shown here at 1/24.



Hitachi designed this device as a disaster relief tool: the cutter is meant to slice through bent rebar and the grapple to remove slabs of concrete, all for the purpose of looking for survivors after an earthquake. The cab was widened to fit a 1/24 seat but would still be cramped at 1:1 as the height of the cab was not changed.



The rest of it is all 1/24 or 1/25 stuff from the parts bin. The White COE, shortened and with a top chop, is a resin body from Jimmy Flintstone; the engine is from the AMT Freightliner kit. The turbocharger is a 3D-printed part from Ron Olson at Shapeways, with scratch-built piping to the intercooler and exhaust system.



Scratch built turbo piping and radiator hoses. The original engine would have been a monster V12 Diesel out of a Soviet WWII tank. There is apparently a resin kit of this engine available; the Trumpeter kit, while very detailed, includes no engine detail.



Shown here with another COE from the display cabinet.



Stay tuned! Who knows what else is in the stash!