M915A3 Freightliner

Stryker45 · 3 August 2021 07:07

@HeavyArty Gino, now your photos shows the 3D printed Freightliner cab very well. Yes, it will require some sort of smooth coating before painting but it’s promising indeed. I think a think coat of putty will help smooth things out.

Also, glad to see the doors are provided. The shapeway page does not show doors on the daycab photos. While searching more on these trucks I found couple of good photos that show the extra armor detail. Hope they will help you out also…

Photo credit Dan Pupek via Flicker

Stryker45 · 3 August 2021 07:15

@Frenchy H.P., nice bit of information and photograph. I was excited when I saw these Cab Over Engine (COE) big rigs in military colors. I am not sure if there is a 1/35 COE kit or conversion, then again nothing can fully sure or unsure these days with 3D printing, but there is a wonderful kit in 1/25 of this truck and can be build similar Future plans to being drafted as I type

Again, thank you for your contribution.

Frenchy · 3 August 2021 11:11

You’re welcome. Here are some links to more views of the Dutch truck :
https://mackmuppet.skyrock.com/1241605974-Freightliner-FLB-COE-Ex-US-Air-Force-Hazerswoude-The-Netherlands.html

https://mackmuppet.skyrock.com/3035491731-Freightliner-COE-Hazerswoude-The-Netherlands.html

Looks like someone else has the same project (but the 3-tone camo looks off to me…)

https://www.wettringer-modellbauforum.de/forum/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=57938

H.P.

Frenchy · 3 August 2021 11:45

Wonder if it is the same truck…

H.P.

Stryker45 · 4 August 2021 06:14

I don’t know but someone sure needs a driver training. That’s just messed up cause that was a cool rig.

Covkid · 4 August 2021 17:50

The COE Freightliners were ex US military but were surplussed about 15 years ago.

Loving this thread and watching closely.

Regards Jason

Frenchy · 4 August 2021 19:58

What about a Kenworth ?

“A US Air Force (USAF) airman from the 341st Missile Maintenance Group (MMG) waits outside by a tractor after the trailer (left) overturned during a Nuclear Accident Response Exercise (NARE) at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana” (2004) :

Larger view here

Here’s a more recent Freightliner Argosy now used by the 341st MMG :

Picture link

H.P.

Stryker45 · 5 August 2021 08:36

@Frenchy H.P., oh man, thats another cool find. My last truck was Kenworth, though it was 800 series but solid.

If anyone wants to build a Freightliner then I can help with detail photos of it as it was my first truck I learned to drive. Here are few just to show what I mean…

LandShark · 24 March 2022 06:01

We used these setups for some of our maintenance trucks for line haul convoys throughout Iraq. They worked well enough I suppose, although I found it easier to strap the toolbox and tires to the frame while still leaving the fifth wheel clear in case the rig needed to be used in case another line haul truck became disabled.

Also, yes, the Air Force did use the M-915’s. We had two units attached to the Army battalion, the 424 MTD “Centurions” and the 70th MTD “Scorpions.”

Stryker45 · 24 March 2022 07:23

@LandShark Brian, welcome to Armorama. Glad to see this thread caught your attention. Also, thank you for sharing your photos and information.

I don’t suppose you have any photos of the interior of the cab? I will like to see how they had their equipment setup ie, radio, etc.

Mike

Frenchy · 24 March 2022 08:30

Operator’s Manual :

http://www.jatonkam35s.com/M915TMs/m915_TM%209-2320-302-10.pdf

H.P.

HeavyArty · 24 March 2022 12:10

Welcome Brian. Glad to have you aboard. Do you have any more closeup pics of the armored cab M915A3s? I may be starting my conversion soon and am always looking for more references.

Frenchy · 24 March 2022 12:32

There are a few more here :
M915A3 for sale

HeavyArty · 24 March 2022 12:37

I guess I should have been more clear, but I haven’t had enough coffee yet.

Any more pics of the armored cab M915A3s? I am leaning toward doing an armored cab version.

smolensk · 28 March 2022 09:46

Do you any idea about the price? or do you have STL format?

HeavyArty · 28 March 2022 12:17

I didn’t design it and don’t have any files on it. It looks like the price came down a little though. Currently listed as $59 on Shapeways.

LandShark · 2 April 2022 07:26

Thanks everyone for the warm reception. I’ll reach out to some of the others from my group and see what anyone still has. Give me a few more days; I’m still waiting for replies to see.

Cheers!