MOC MB290 Multipurpose Lightweight Vehicle

[D3K]

So here is my contribution to the ever growing Mercedes Geländewagen MOC car park that's been popping up here lately!

I've been wanting to build this ever since I got back into Technic about half a year ago, and Effermans brilliant small AWD chassis was pretty perfect, and finally made me realize the plan.

This is my first MOC to prioritize form over function

If memory serves me correctly, the "Multi Light" was originally a modified and chopped version of the already modified "Ultra Light" used by the Norwegian Army. The roof is gone, and an all around roll cage has been fitted instead. I think it was ordered by the Special Forces, to fit inside American Chinook helicopters. In addition, a more heavy duty ring mount was placed on top to accomodate heavier weapons (typically a .50 cal M2 machine gun or a 40mm Mk.19 or GMG), and it was stripped further down to reduce weight and increase performance.

In essence, it is a platform to bring as much firepower in a small package as possible quickly around in rugged terrain.

The particular model I've based my MOC on, was further developed and improved by Arctic Trucks of Iceland. They fitted a turbo, far better suspension and brakes as well as bigger wheels and various other improvements.

Here is a promotional picture of the original vehicle:

And here is my Lego interpretation of it:

It is a truly great car, except when it's raining, as it doesn't have a roof nor windshield, and when people are shooting at you, as it doesn't really provide much protection.

In the above picture you can see the reason for the roll cage being attached to the centre, rather than the right hand side: it allows the commander of the car to have a wider field of fire with his mounted LMG.

The seats are not full due to the motors and transmission layout, but that doesn't really matter. I fit a working steering wheel, and the red 2L axles are supposed to be the firing buttons for the smoke grenade launchers.

The winch is also very much form over function, but it does "work"

A lot of old style connectors were used for the roll cage, as I didn't have enough of the newer fixed angle ones

Oh yeah; neither battery box nor IR receiver were mounted when I shot the pictures.

For the main weapon I opted for a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, loosely based on the Mk.19 and HK GMG.

And no; the ring doesn't actually turn.

I also made a sniper rifle in roughly the same scale as the car, (very loosely) based on the M82 anti material rifle

I want to thank Efferman a whole lot for making the brilliant chassis and sharing it with us all! :thumbup:

[efferman]

thanks for sharing this car. the details are gorgeous

[legolijntje]

I think Unimog wheels would've been better, but other than that: great car!

[N-4K0]

Wow, really cool vehicle and awesome details I agree that Unimog-tires would have been better, but it's a great vehicle

[Pat-Ard]

That's really nice!!!

Pat

[grum64]

Excellent looking vehicle. Well done.

[Kronos]

This is an excellent model. One of the most accurate I've seen. The details are amazing! Well done.

I think Unimog wheels would've been better, but other than that: great car!

Wow, really cool vehicle and awesome details I agree that Unimog-tires would have been better, but it's a great vehicle

How do you get Unimog tires on these small rims? http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=56908

[timslegos]

Looks awesome! Nice job on the small things.

tim

[N-4K0]

How do you get Unimog tires on these small rims? http://www.bricklink...tem.asp?P=56908

I understand that the Unimog tires might be bigger than I remembered when I wrote it, so Unimog-ish tires

[dr_spock]

Excellent build. Good job on the weapons.

[Someonenamedjon]

Wow! All the detail! Could you possibly make a guide on how to make those cool guns and others?

[rm8]

Awesome , very detailed moc!

[Paul B Technic]

An amazing level of detail in this, very well done.

[D3K]

Thank you all for the praise! Was honestly expecting some more critisism, as I'm not fully satisfied with parts of the bodywork.. Maybe you were all "overwhelmed" by the small things!

thanks for sharing this car. the details are gorgeous

Wouldn't have built it if you hadn't made the chassis So thank you

I think Unimog wheels would've been better, but other than that: great car!

Wow, really cool vehicle and awesome details I agree that Unimog-tires would have been better, but it's a great vehicle

Then I would have had to make the car as big as Sheepo's Land Rover Defender My first plan for making this, was actually just that, but I am glad I didn't..

Here is a picture from an early stage of the build, with the original wheels from effermans chassis:

Wow! All the detail! Could you possibly make a guide on how to make those cool guns and others?

Shouldn't be a problem! Give me a couple of days!

[D3K]

You can download an .lxf of the sniper rifle here ...

The other guns have several parts I couldn't find in LDD, so I will try to make a model in MLcad later on

[Lakop]

Great vehicle. I think those wheels look good on it but feel free to change them and share with us. I too like the guns and that sniper rifle. Now my to do list is even longer.

H

[Someonenamedjon]

You can download an .lxf of the sniper rifle here ...

The other guns have several parts I couldn't find in LDD, so I will try to make a model in MLcad later on

Thanks!

[Alasdair Ryan]

Very cool military vehicle with lots of great detail.

[D3K]

Seeing as some of you are not quite happy with my choice of wheels, I present you with the following options. Please feel free to share your thoughts as to which are the better fit

First off are the suggested UniMog wheels.

While undeniably awesome looking, the car is at a standstill, as neither drive nor steering works

Next up are one size bigger balloon tires, on the same rims as I originally used (Technic Racing Small)

They don't look half bad, but suspension travel and steering are severly affected.

Next are the standard wheels used on efferman's chassis

I feel they look a bit too small on this body,,,

And then we have the low profile racing tyres, which are the top choice for this vehicle when used for illegal street racing in Iraq and Yemen and the likes

And lastly we have the Pimp Daddy supreme setup, which together with air suspension is the favourite amongst gangsta rappers all over USA

[N-4K0]

Ok, Unimog-tires are too big, it appears

[Paul202]

Awesome vehicle, I wish more people would make military vehicles. What pieces did you use for the grenades in the launcher?

[Someonenamedjon]

My thoughts on the tires:

1.Wayyy to big.

2. :thumbup:

3.Too small

4.Okay looking, a bit odd though

5. ...

[Paul202]

In the first paragraph you said that you were inspired by an AWD Chassis by Efferman, can I please have a link to where you found it? Google isn't helping me at the moment.

[legomuppet9]

Search his MOC corner, it's there. Or in a topic named unnoficial body building challenge. Theres a link to it from some pictures in my Flickr as I also took part.

Good job with that body D3K, you definitely beat me at least