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| The Sword box style.
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| The tractor in
the colours of DG Equipment. |
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| Air lines and 'fifth
wheel'. |
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| Opening door to
the detailed cab. |
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| The front bogie
unit without the gooseneck. |
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| The panel with 'SIZE'
on it opens to provide access to the basket. |
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| Realistic controls
for the man at the back. |
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| At maximum length
the model disappears into the distance. |
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| In a shorter configuration
carrying a Bucyrus 495 'Fastfil'
Dipper. |
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| Hauling a
Fermentation Tank.
|
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| Assembling a longer
flat bed using a
Link Belt RTC
80100. |
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Peterbilt was founded in 1938 and is
a famous producer of American trucks. The Nelson Manufacturing
Company of Ohio was founded in 1947 and manufactures a range
of trailers and crane attachments
This is a model of the Peterbilt 379 Day Cab with a Nelson
3x3x3 Trailer. This particular equipment is used in
heavy haulage applications where loads typically up to 100
tons can be carried. Larger trailers exist to carry
heavier loads.
The review model is in the colours of DG Equipment.
Packaging
The model is packed in a standard Sword Models box which
just has the model name on it but no pictures or other information.
Inside, the model is well packed within a couple of expanded
polystyrene trays.
The review model had no defects
or missing parts.
Getting the pieces out of the tray it becomes apparent just
how many separate parts there are and for this reason alone
it is perhaps surprising that there is not a simple parts
list and instruction sheet with assembly instructions.
However with that said, the model is not difficult to assemble
and most collectors will not have a problem.
Detail
The tractor chassis is very detailed. The two driving
axles are complete with prop shafts and differentials and
replicated suspension details, and there is a third helper
axle. The rear wheels have very good metal hubs with
finely treaded tyres, and there are rubber mud flaps bearing
the Peterbilt logo.
Towards the front the underside of the engine is visible
and the exhaust pipes lead out to the side of the body.
The front wheels are on different metal hubs to those on
the rear wheels.
The imposing front of the Peterbilt is modelled very well
with a superb finely etched radiator grille, with a spoiler
on top. The bumper is metal and the headlight clusters
have lenses incorporated for both headlamps and indicators.
Both on the top of the radiator and on the sides of the
bonnet (hood) there are tiny Peterbilt badges which are
perfectly legible. The wheel arches have an excellent
rubber lining which become mud flaps behind the wheels.
Under the bonnet is a detailed engine, with a separate radiator,
and there are various pipes and hoses.
The cab detail is all of an excellent standard. On
each side fuel tanks with very fine graphics are modelled
and they are integral with the cab steps which have nicely
patterned treads. There are a pair of exhaust stacks
and each has a grab handle and the exhaust pipe has a hole
and actually looks like a pipe. Around the top of
the cab there is lots of chrome work with very good metal
wing mirrors, lights and air horns. The makers have
thoughtfully provided spare mirrors and surplus different
air horns with the model. The two orange beacon lights
on the roof of the cab add to the look. There is no 'glass'
in the cab windows.
Inside, the cab is also detailed with the steering column
having a tiny stalk below the wheel and fine details on
the inside of the door. Behind the cab, the detail
continues with three coiled lines for connection to the
trailer. There are also some fine chains and equipment,
with a piece of folded tarpaulin. An 'Oversize
Load' sign is provided and this fits into the notch
on the front bumper.
The trailer units are very detailed indeed. The bogie
units have very good hubs with rubber tyres and patterned
treads. Each of the axles has the suspension fully
modelled and there is excellent brake line detail to each
wheel.
The front unit has receivers for the lines from the tractor
unit. Further lines then travel down the length of
the bogie unit to the rear. Support legs are modelled
for when the unit is disconnected from the tractor and two
holders for supplied wooden blocks are provided on each
side of the main structure and these have rubber securing
bands. A fifth wheel sits on a realistic structure
which has convincing holding down bolts. At the rear,
rubber mud flaps and painted light clusters are present.
The gooseneck has equipment boxes at each end and full cabling
throughout. A very good feature of the structure throughout
the trailer is the excellent representation of the fabricated
elements with the holes in the beams.
The rear unit has a hydraulic steering system on the front
bogie and this is complete with hoses. Detail is further
enhanced with floodlights which also have electrical cabling
running from them. There are tiny warning notices
replicated although they are not legible. Following
the main structure towards the rear bogie and various equipment
boxes are included together with other small cabinet details.
Two holders for wooden blocks are provided on each side
of the main structure and these have rubber securing bands.
At the rear is a man riding basket for controlling the rear
steering. This has a fine mesh floor and realistic
controls which have electric cables running into the bogies.
The rear bumper has painted light clusters and rubber mud
flaps bearing the Nelson name. Two holders for the
supplied warning flags complete the detail at the rear.
The rear gooseneck is a large piece which has an equipment
box at the front end and hoses and cables which run throughout.
There are floodlights and a couple of orange beacon lights
which are painted metal rather than the more usual plastic
lights. Cables from the gooseneck run and plug into
holes in the bogie units.
The flat bed is made up of a number of units of varying
sizes. At each end, the connecting pieces to the goosenecks
have hydraulic lines modelled and there are holders for
warning flags. The deck units have lines running down
each side and there are tiny loops throughout the flat bed
for attaching tie-downs to secure loads.
The connecting pins for joining deck sections is worthy
of special mention as not only are they pins with lifting
handles but the ends have a hole for a supplied securing
pin which is a superb detail. A plastic replica timber
deck completes the flat bed detail.
Also supplied with the model are a set of
chains and hooks.
Features
The front wheels on the tractor steer, but the steering
is 'notched' rather than variable so the wheels
can only be posed in one position when pointing left or
right. The helper axle can be clipped out of use and
this is achieved by removing the cover above the axle and
adjusting a screw so this provides a variety of display
options.
The hood opens in a very easy action and the cab doors can
be opened too. The ‘fifth wheel’ on the tractor works
and is operated with a spring loaded lever to secure a trailer
in position. It can also be adjusted longitudinally.
All of the trailer axles have very good working suspension
which works by using small springs. The bogie units
have various opening equipment boxes.
At the back of the trailer the operator basket has an opening
door to facilitate entry.
The flat bed element of the trailer comes in four sections
and by combing these in various ways eight configurations
can be built up including one which makes the model over
1m (40 inches in length). To prevent the deck sagging
when under load clear spacers are provided which clip under
the deck and keep it level - a thoughtful feature.
Quality
This is another precision model from the Sword stable.
The quality of manufacture is very good with limited use
of plastic, and the level of detail is very high.
The paintwork is high quality and the graphics are good
although not as good as the best of the very latest standards.
Price
This model is not inexpensive but it is a highly detailed
and impressive model for the money.
Overall
Collectors of heavy haulage models will be very pleased
to own this. The level of attention and detail that
has gone into the model is apparent and makes it very impressive
close up. Stand back, and the model impresses for
its sheer size. As a display piece the configurations
which are possible provide good options and, when couple
with a suitable load, the overall display can be excellent.
This is a very good model indeed and the only thing it misses
is information about the real machine and some good instructions.
Footnotes
The model was released in May 2007. The following
versions have been produced: red, run of 400;
blue, run of 300; yellow, run of 300; white,
run of 400. DG Equipment (blue), run of 400;
Sharpe Houseboats (white and red), run of 200.
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|
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| The model in the
tray. |
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| The many parts
out of the box. |
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Rigged in short formation. |
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| Opening hood shows
the detailed engine. |
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| A classic Peterbilt
tractor. |
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| Rear bogie unit
without the gooseneck. |
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|
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| Opening equipment
boxes. |
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| Underside view
reveals plenty of detail. |
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| Another opening
equipment box. |
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| Impressive rear
bogie arrangement. |
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| Up close with
the load. |
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| The back seat
driver ... driving from the back seat. |
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| Old meets new.
Hauling a Bucyrus
Steam Shovel. |
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