Bundeswehr Truck 5 t gl
MAN 630 L2AE
ROCO 1:87 Scale Vehicle Review
The MAN 630 L2AE 5 t 4×4 truck was the standard medium cargo and troop carrier of the Bundeswehr until the mid-70s, when second generation 5 t trucks became available and gradually replaced the earlier types. Bundeswehr Panzergrenadier companies had two 5 t cargo trucks, one in the maintenance platoon, and the other in the service platoon. The service platoon also operated a 5 t MAN 630 L2A field kitchen with 1.5 t cargo trailer (ROCO 328). The model was sprayed in Bundeswehr »Yellow Olive RAL 6014«, tinted with 30 % white to take aerial perspective into account. Raised detail was then shaded and drybrushed using Jim Gordon’s weathering technique.
Contents
- MAN 630 L2AE with flat bed and canvas tilt
Evaluation
The model has only 17 parts and it is sold fully assembled, ready to play. Serious modellers will take the truck apart, remove flash and glue the parts together permanently.
Much detail: engine grille, hinges, lettering on fire-extinguisher stowage boxes, and other small parts are fun to paint.
Compatible with HO scale model railroad equipment and miniatures by Märklin, ROCO, Faller, Pola, Preiser, and Noch.
Noticeably flash around stowage boxes, muffler, front bumper and mud guards.
Missing parts like the rear license plate holder, indicator lights on the front fenders, side mirrors, and with indicator rods on the front bumper may be built from scratch.
Cab doors do not open.
The canvas cab cover may be removed, but there is no kit part representing the folded cover. This part may be scratchbuilt.
The windshield folds down, but the hinge parts are noticeably out of scale.
Windshield wipers and rearview mirrors are not included in the kit. ROCO offers several vehicle upgrade kits which include such small parts.
Decals are not included, they need to be purchased separately.
Possible Conversions
- Fuel truck with 4600 l tank plant, 1:87 ROCO 421
- Drone launcher mounted on Lkw 5 t gl
- Decontamination vehicle (TEP-Kfz)
The ROCO 5 t MAN 630 truck is an excellent model for collectors, diorama builders and wargamers. The vehicle may be detailed further by adding rearview mirrors and other small parts.