1/24 Italeri Mercedes Benz Actros Black Edition

[cifenet]

This is the kit I built for the past three weeks and it is finally finished. 

I think this one is based on Actros MP2 chassis.  There were only 250 of these special trucks produced calling them "Black Edition". 

These trucks were supposedly painted in black metallic paint with various chrome accents, but I decided to paint it using pure gloss black to see if I can bring some decent shine out of it.

Here is mini WIP I wrote:

I doubt anyone is going to build this kit from this forum, but I can state that I had too much fun building it and that it was quite rewarding to have it completed as I planned in three weeks of time.

What I liked:

• A European truck with sporty feel and AMG look.
• Highly detailed parts and addictive building steps.
• Crisp molds and all parts fit together very well, it really is a nicely engineered kit!
• Has a tilting cab!
• Builds into something different and unique.

What I did not like:

• Working and managing the build with gloss black finish was just nightmare (dust/scratch/debris all show up!)
• Requires attaching many small parts after the cab is painted.  I mainly used CA glue to attach parts.  I had to be extra careful not to damage painted surface and this was challenging.   

 

Frame:

 

Completed:

 

Close up photos, we can get close.

 

Daylight photos:

 

I think the truck being all black, it shows everything on the surface.  Also as the polishing work involves rubbing compounds on the painted surface, it creates strong static attracting all kind of dust. 

Cleaning/polishing was never ending task for me; as soon as I handle the truck, it starts to attract all kind of nearby dust/fine particle debris!

Last stage into the build, I had to rely on these tools to fight against fingerprints, dust spots, small scratches, etc.

• Lint-free towels
• latex groves
• cleaning brush
• home-made interior window cleaning tool

The model cleaning brush is from Tamiya and it is an anti static brush.  I use this on parts prior to painting and also clean models.  The brush is quite effective.

 

The home made interior window cleaning tool (the long clip with some rag attached the other end) was very helpful to remove dust/speck/debris inside of cabin.  I insert this through the top roof opening and rub around the windshield and windows.

 

Storage:

Lastly, for the trucks I am building, I wanted to keep them safe for years.

After some consideration, I ended up getting an IKEA display cabinet; I will dedicate it for displaying truck models.
 

To improve its displaying condition, I did add a LED lighting strip on each shelf and now things are brighter inside.  

I wish they sell additional shelves, but they don't.  It still provides four shelves and front doors to minimize dust from coming in. 

 

I am going to place Actros MP2 Black Edition next to Actros MP4 and I think they are quite comparable. As I build more stuff, I think I will have to display them closer...  

Hopefully I can start building some interesting collections.

Edited April 4, 2024 by cifenet

[ChrisR]

Awesome build!

[o-man]

What an awesome looking build

[SpikeSchumacher]

Excellent build Steve! I have a Black Amber Scania that is 90% complete, and it's been that way for a couple of years! ? 

[Nacho Z]

Simply stunning!

[grodudulle77]

Awesome work !! I really like it.??

[iamsuperdan]

Looks great! I haven't been brave enough to paint a truck black yet!

 

 

[Rockford]

Excellent job, as always from yourself! Black is a difficult colour to pull off but if anyone could manage it, you could.

On the display cabinet I had something similar once and got extra glass shelves made by a local glazing company. They beveled the edges and had them toughened to make them safe for indoor use. I've long since ditched the cabinet but I've still got the shelves somehow! 

[Dutzie]

Beautiful build! I really like the different paint tones on the chassis. 

[marathonman5962]

vraiment joli !

realy beautiful

[RoninUtah]

Beautiful build, it turned out perfect! I also like Italeri's Euro trucks; I built a Volvo FH12, also in black, but mine didn't turn out nearly as nice as yours. The kit was molded in black, which limited my color choices. I've built a couple of others as well, and they were all very nicely engineered kits. Well done!