MCD

Thankyou - sorry the delayed reply Ive been away from the forums a bit! I do love the combination of system and technic... Really brings the models to life! I'm a bit of a lights addict on all my models at current.

What is GOAT? Yes - I always felt this my scale is !;21 - although my earlier trucks based on 1980s versions creap towards 1:20.

Ive always assumed based on 49.5mm and 15stud wide it to be approximately 1:20- 1;21, certainly when I scale drawings it feels that way? But yes - your right on the width.

Been a while since my last project, so I hope Its ok to share with you my latest builds as they are something a bit different? I'm genuinely pleased with how they have turned out! After exhibiting at Bricktastic 2025 in Manchester last year, I was really feeling the buzz from the reaction to my Truck models and felt the need to do something new and different to add to the display for upcoming Bricktastic 2026 in February. I had been inspired by a few of the town displays with little fire scene dioramas - And got to thinking, how cool would a couple of Fire Appliances look in my scale? As my subject matter is usually Volvo and Scania, the following two really grabbed my imagination: Using blueprints and Schematics from Angloco, a British Fire Appliance builder, I was able to develop a large majority of the designs in Bricklink Studio. Next, with a considerable order from 'Bricklink' and Lights from 'Game of Bricks' I have spent the last few months on the builds. Much of the Chassis has been developed hands on, and added detail realised as I built - Studio can only help so much! Starting with the FM Aerial Flatform - This has as many working features as possible, the main boom is part motorised and part mechanical, with the extension based on a similar system to #42108 only turned on its side. The front extension for the basket needed to drop through 90° and so that has a support wheel to guide it until fully exended: The support legs are mechancial and drive of one gear so both legs open at once, similar to the mech on my Scania/Mack Anthem #42078 alternative. Feet are manual push down as I was aiming for scaled look rather then mechanisms. The model features working front/staggered rear steer, opening doors and as you can see - suits a set of 'Technician' Firemen. For the Scania P280 - the hardest part has been detail and proportion, I spent alot of time on the internal structure and was able to add alot of inner cabinet detail with various equipment pieces, alot of 'artist licence' but alot of fun. Usual functionality of steering and all four doors opening - 5 technician seats installed as well: Together I think they make for a really great set and I'm looking forward to the reaction and how they will sit with my other trucks at Bricktastic 2026. I'm hoping with the Fire technicians; a small diorama of hydrant and hoses and the lights (see shameless link bottom of thread) They should do quite well? Decals are an original set of #42175 FMX and some code3 water transfers for Scania and various Chevrons. Wheels are original - just lightly sprayed satin silver with a hobby paint. As I mentioned earlier - both have working lights from Game of Bricks - based on standard kits with additional splitters and extensions I have been able to build a pretty convincing setup - I'm not sure how to add videos here? but perhaps I can shamelessly plug my tiktok video of the FM: (And there is a more recent video of the Scania P280 and more videos of the FM on my instagram mcd_technic) Thanks for looking, hope you've enjoyed seeing them? Mike

That's really nice! The proportions look spot on and I love your eye for detail! Its a great tool Studio, really helps getting the subtleties right.....

This is amazing! I've been tyre kicking #8455 and #8069 for some time now, but neither are accurate enough! But this! Dam!! Its stunning! I will certainly be downloading instructions and building this beauty! Top work. (Can you confirm - is this 15 stud wide? Think ive visually measured right?)

I too have been doing a lot of reading on the subject! Its really interesting, thanks for bringing it to my attention :)

Sorry! Busy weekend! Missed this - Thanks Milan. Thanking you kindly... Thanks - That's always my aim - I do tend to obsess for ages on the detail - drives me mad sometime! Thanks, and yes, a System/Technic hybrid is the only way IMO! Remember the Mack Anthem? Its all the same as a real truck, technical chassis, sculpted bodywork. Thanks for your kind comments and great information that I didnt know! However, you've confused me on the LHD, RHD bit... loads of RHD in the UK: Plenty more if you search google? And The ones ive seen at Truckfest have been RHD.... are you sure its not a European thing?

Thought I'd share my latest work, (as I'm secretly quite pleased with it :) ) Its based on my newer structure of slightly angling the cab chassis for a more dynamic modern look. Already I have a few versions of the DAF XG. And now, back to my Volvo Favourites I have the very latest Aero which is an evolution of my previous FH Globetrotter: The 5 axle Nooteboom is a bit of over kill for the F89 on the back, but I like to think of this as truck show day! With exception of the number plate, all decals are taken from the Volvo FMX kit #42175 so Its pretty much all Lego! (I have sprayed wheels with satin chrome though) Here you can see the more complex angles in the cab - I can confirm, all is solid and nothing is stressed; I've had the F89 model for a few years now (and indeed sell instruction on rebrickable for it) But the scales work really well and show how much bigger trucks have become over the years; Thanks for taking the time to look! Hope you like? Mike aka MCD_TECHNIC

As a builder and instruction creator of various Volvo trucks, including the FMX i was always keen to see this. Yes, it look light, in some ways incomplete and i think using printed clear panels for headlights is a cheat. But there is no denying, the set has a really good Volvo OEM look. For many who are not so keen on buying mocs, or modding, this is the first great access in this scale to a genuine European truck. Until now, car transporter, concrete mixer etc are made up! American focus has clearly been seen in the Mack Anthem and to a good extent, the recovery truck. So its a good thing, i also think some of the panelling and sculpting on the cab is good...it looks ok! For me personally i like to design my own now. So not sure id buy this just to build and improve.. i certainly see no value in the trailer... I like it though, better than expected and equally dumbed down as expected.... Maybe its got some C model potential? But wheels combo is limited..

That looks superb! Really class attention to detail, a proper scale model!

Thankyou 🙏 Thankyou Thanks, yes i like to stack the beams as they are all 'L' beams so gives a clean round corner to rear angle. I try to avoid flat technic panels as personally i think they look messy. Thanks.. love the comment 'masterfully' I do only do Lego trucks, its a real passion and I spend a long time developing the designs. Thankyou... no real suspension as these are in 1.21 (Mack Anthem) Scale...that said, with the front axle mounts 7 stud wide, it has a nice cab rock like the real thing.

This one has been a real challenge! Until recently I've been working through a lot of Volvo's and earlier trucks from the late 70's to early 90's as quite simply, for me they lend themselves better to models in this, my chosen scale of building. But I have been playing with the DAF XG on and off, for the past year trying to get those 'angles' right. The availability of new panels, and new technic beams has afforded me the ability to angle the cab and add the details I wanted..... Here above it is pictured in combo with the most excellent 'Reisch' Tipper trailer by 'Niklas Kaemer'. Colourway is in Lime green, no affiliation to the Sian, but literally one of only three combos currently possible with these parts, the others being Black or DBG. But this colour works really well as the launch colour in 2021 was Tuscan Yellow. Part count is 1288 with 237 unique parts. Nothing too rare and features basic HOG steering, opening doors etc. As you can see, the lines aren't 100% perfect, but I think it really captures the truck well! The response has been huge, with DAF UK featuring it on their various social media's. Instruction download have been positive on rebrickable.com also. Only two additions, DAF water transfer from a model kit and wheels sprayed satin chrome, otherwise all original Lego. These below are images are taken from my Rebrickable listing and better show the truck final detail: The only difference between this and the Rebrickable model is I changed rear arches to something more stable and conventionally available! Hope you like? It makes a good addition to my DAF line up with other designs I have built/modified based on 'Technicprojects' and 'GRS_Bricks' Thanks for looking! Mike aka Mcd_technic

Just thought id shamelessly bounce this with the up coming FMX combo. As a keen designer and builder of volvo mocs, i cant wait! Hopefully the same 15 stud wide??

Really super cool! Got some of the lines really spot on! I'm also currently working on a 1:21 version to add to my line up. Just cant decided on the grill at the moment.

This is the 'chassis' only version of my FMX fuel tanker... And here it is built in real as a tanker - Just to show its not just a 'Studio Queen'

Thankyou for the kind comments, really pleased you like it. As a bit of a shameless plug, i uploaded the instructions to rebrickable at weekend. https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-137380/Mcd_technic/2021-volvo-fmx-8x2-fuel-tanker/#details

Great spot! However the gap is intentional! Its an idiosyncrasy with this type of truck - Maybe as cab tilts for engine access? Thanks buddy - just keep learning from the last build each time....

Thank you, glad you like it :) That means a lot thanks! I have been on a mission to create accurate replicas for a while now, the mix of system and technic for me is a good one. Thanking you :) Super, glad you like - thanks :) Thanks, yes its cool when another part works, but not only works, it does it exceptionally well! I think there are a lot of parts specifically for expert builder sets which have great detail applications elsewhere. I really love the reaction - thanks, my mission is complete if it looks almost real :) Works well doesn't it? And the panels are not too hard to come by.

Wow! Thankyou.. 😁🙏

Hi all, Please allow me to share images of my most recent build; my 2021 Volvo FMX 8x2 Fuel tanker in 1:21 Scale. Its all Lego (even the pipes and elastic bands) Just a few home printed decals and that's it: For a while now the physical tank has always alluded me - nothing really looks right! This was until recently when I started experimenting with the cargo door panels from the #10283 Shuttle: These actually work really well, mixed with some 4L axles, 1x2 double holed bricks and a mix of plates and tiles the result is a really clean looking tanker. The truck chassis features twin front steer and linked rear steer via HOG. There is a differential and drive shaft which all turn, but I have opted for a Fake engine built with green system parts to give a more realistic look when viewed through the arches. This truck is an addition to a series of Volvo trucks I have thus far built both old an new and look to be adding more soon. Although this is no a plug - It often gets asked, and yes! I will be doing instructions for this to add to my many others on rebrickable.com. Thanks for looking! Mike

Thanks for that... Ive recently worked out how to design and print my own, real finishing touch Thankyou, yeh im a cab over fan, but then i prefer European trucks anyway, and to behonest, prefer the trucks from 80s and 90s

Thanks... I love the challenge of detail at this scale. Plus the models look so fine. Thanks, its actually Technician scale..

Thanks - Marco is the genius behind the beginning, I added the lower sports elements...

Always wanted to do a race truck - added the finishing touches today! Its inspired by team Hahn Racing European race truck. The Iveco cab is based on @technicprojects design, I converted the 'race' bits. Next up - team hauler! Already have a cab built (based on another awesome @technicprojects) I have a trailer designed which I need to build next.. Hope you like? Mike