Tamiya Mercedes Benz 1850L Project

Mercedes Benz updated the appearance of their SK (Heavy Class) line of trucks in 1994.  Tamiya followed suit in 1995 with the 56305 Mercedes Benz 1838LS and the 56307 Mercedes Benz 1850L.  Both use the same cab but the 56305 is a 4x2 tractor truck and the 56307 is a box truck.  They represent the 3rd and 4th tractor truck models made by Tamiya, respectively.  For me this Delivery Truck is my 6th Tamiya tractor truck build, so the chassis and gearbox are becoming quite familiar by now.  This is my 1st with a single drive axle though, so that combined with the long wheel base make it different to drive.

Like the other tractor trucks, this is a leaf sprung model with a 3-speed transmission and solid C-channel frame.  The rear axle is driven and features an open metal differential.  It is capable of using the MFC (Multi-Function Control Unit) for lights, sounds, and vibration, though it is old enough to have actually been designed for the original 56501 Electrical Unit Set.   The doors do not open but the cab tips forward to access the inside.  An interior dash and seats are included.  I swapped out the stock silver can motor for a TR Tuned motor made specifically for these tractor trucks which seems to offer more torque at less rpm.

Given the similarities between all the Tamiya tractor trucks, I like how different this one is owing to the cargo box.  A comparison with the shipping container of the 56326 trailer seems inevitable, but they are actually built quite differently.  The box on this truck uses real corrugated aluminum sides while the shipping container (which didn't come out until 2011) uses vacuum formed ABS.  I was able to conceal all the control boards and wiring for the Multi-Function system inside the box which allowed me to retain the dash board and seats inside the cab.

Update:  This model was destroyed in the 2022 fire.  It has not been replaced.