Scratch Built 1951 Büssing 12000 U13 6x4 Underfloor Engine Truck

[Plastheniker]

Hi,

Büssing was one of the oldest and most renowned German truck manufacturers. After WW II they resumed production with big conventionals very similar to their pre-war models. From time to time Revell of Germany re-releases an outstanding model of one of these conventionals, namely the 1952 Büssing 8000 S13.
Today, however, Büssing is the synonyme for a completely different truck design.

In 1951 Büssing presented the Büssing 12000 U13 as the world’s first production underfloor engine truck. By comparison almost any truck (nota bene mostly conventionals) of other manufacturers in these years appeared obsolete:

• The cab without doghouse offered incredible space. It was even high enough to stand upright in it. Its ultra-modern cubic design and its large windows gave excellent visibility.
• Far from the engine the driver enjoyed a riding comfort second to none: no noise, no heat, no vibrations, no fumes. Without the engine weight on the front axle the air-assisted steering gave outstanding manoeuvrability.
• Engine accessibility for service and for repairs was unique.
• The engine position improved traction and road holding of the unloaded vehicle considerably.

Though the 12000 U13 was too expensive too be sold in really large numbers it became the ancestor of many heavy and medium-duty Büssing underfloor engine trucks.

Technically ingenious the line of underfloor engine trucks, however, can be considered as the main reason why Büssing failed economically. The underfloor engine made it difficult to drive the front axle and the engine hanging under the chassis restricted ground clearance. Therefore this design was not usuable for the building trade. Thus Büssing was compelled to produce three different types of trucks to match all customers’ needs: underfloor engine trucks, conventionals and coes. For a smaller company this scattering was fatal. In 1971 MAN purchased Büssing and continued to produce underfloor trucks up to 1994.

Two 12000 U have survived. They are the undisputed highlights of any vintage truck meeting in Germany.

My scratch build shows the earliest version of the 12000 U13 as shown on this contemporary picture.

 

For full visibility of the engine I “removed” the engine cover - as most owners and later on even Büssing did. The intricate chassis, the open platform body and the cab without existing drawings made the project rather time-consuming. Though I could use some identical or modifiable parts of the Revell kit I spent more than 1000 hours building my model.
Among all approximately 250 models still in my hands (I really wonder how many models I have built during the past 55 years) this is my favourite model. If I were compelled to give all models away except one I would certainly keep this one.
I hope you like it too.

 

 

 

A similar topic of mine:

 

1937 Mercedes-Benz L 10000 Scratchbuilt 1/24
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75830

Edited August 17, 2017 by Plastheniker
Fotki links replace PB

[charlie8575]

Jurgen, your models, especially your scratchbuilds, are a delight to us all.

In looking at the engine, is that a flat engine (pictures 7 and 8)? Quite unusual for a big truck, or a diesel.

Stunning, either way.

Charlie Larkin

[Bennyg]

Hi Jurgen.

That's great. It's good how you give a history as well. Thanks for sharing. I would like to see some progress shots.

Ben

[jeffs396]

WOW!!!

Super nicely done!

[Plastheniker]

Thanks for your replies.

Charlie, one could really suppose that this is a flat engine. Actually, however, all Büssing underfloor engines were straight six engines from the conventionals or COEs tilted by 90° to the passenger's side. Of course the engine peripherals had to be modified.

Ben, I am sorry, but I built my model long after stopping writing magazine articles and long before starting posting in forums. This is why I didn't take any WIP pictures.

[flat-top]

Awesome, Jurgen , your modeling is top shelf.

[kilrathy10]

Man, this is an outstanding looking model....I, too, like the history lesson....It's almost an exact replica of the old pic you included with the model shots....Which are also, outstanding.....Great photography of a great model.....And that is one shiny chassis and engine....Puts my exterior paint jobs to shame....

[slusher]

Amazing build and with the history. WOW....

[PappyD340]

WOW Jurgen, that truck is absolutely INCREDIBLE, and your modeling and photography skills are IMPECCABLE!!!

[Jim B]

Fabulous model! The attention to detail is first rate.

[Rob Hall]

Beautiful build..some incredible scratch building.

[rous74]

Fantastic build !!

Congrats !

[Plastheniker]

Thanks for your replies!

I reviewed my old files and found this nice picture of the 12000 U13 chassis without engine cover.

Unfortunately there are no elucidating pictures online showing the engine peripherals of Büssing's underfloor engines. I hope to find some usuable photos in my old truck brochures.

[olsbooks]

Fascinating! Thanks for the history lesson and sharing your work of art!

A day where you dont learn something is a day wasted.....well, today certainly was not wasted.

[ap40rocktruck]

Absolutely stunning! a shrunken real truck! Clean, crisp, true to detail & scale, fantastic.

[tbill]

simply amazing. [speechless here....]

[Danno]

Outstanding.

[Bennyg]

Thanks for your replies.

Charlie, one could really suppose that this is a flat engine. Actually, however, all Büssing underfloor engines were straight six engines from the conventionals or COEs tilted by 90° to the passenger's side. Of course the engine peripherals had to be modified.

Ben, I am sorry, but I built my model long after stopping writing magazine articles and long before starting posting in forums. This is why I didn't take any WIP pictures.

All good. Keep sharing them.

Ben

[Kostas Parchas]

Better than the real one!!!

Nice and clean build.

Kostas.

[hotrod59f100]

Wow simply wow I love it. Btw if you ever feel compelled to give any models away keep me in mind lol jk great work .

[Plastheniker]

Thanks again!

Wow simply wow I love it. Btw if you ever feel compelled to give any models away keep me in mind lol jk great work .

Never, only over my dead body! But... what about my lovelymother-in-law?

[peekay]

Another absolutely stunning truck!!!

[jacobus]

its a memorylane truck

absolut beautiful work

its wunderbar

great have no other words for , and i am very little again when i see this lastkraft oldtimer

jacobus

[QCDOC]

WOW!

[Tesla]

UNBELIEVABLE! Your builds are some of the best I've ever seen.

Keep them coming! :D