 | | High quality box. |  |  | | Rear view |  | | Underside view. |  | | Stabilisers are non-functioning. |  | | The front bucket can tip right over to provide stability for digging. |  | | Digging with the backhoe. |
| JCB is the largest construction equipment manufacturer in the UK. Its first product was created by the founder Joseph Cyril Bamford in 1945, and in 2009 the company employed 7000 people on four continents.
The JCB 3C Mk1 was introduced in 1963 as the successor to the JCB 3 and it had longer digging arms and a more spacious cab. It was in production until 1968.
Packaging
The model comes in a high quality box with a photo of it on the cover although there are a number of detail differences between it and the model inside. Inside the box the JCB is securely held between a couple of clear plastic formers. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
A card is included which gives the model a unique number in the series and also provides some information about JCB and the real machine.
Detail
This a fairly small model but looks sharp in its yellow and red colour scheme.
On the underside there is some simple detailing within the casting to represent the transmission. The wheels consist of metal hubs with good quality authentic looking tyres.
The cab is a nice piece of modelling with the windows having painted seals, and there is an extremely fine windscreen wiper. There are some lights modelled within the casting, and the roof has a dummy hatch on top. Inside, the seat and controls are replicated well, with levers for both driving and the backhoe.
The backhoe has some good detailing, and the bucket is a good piece. At the front, some engine detail is visible and the mechanical arms and bucket look fine. Some hydraulic lines to the cylinders would have enhanced the detail level.
Features
The front axle steering is good and allows a very sharp angle to be set.
At the back, the backhoe has the ability to side shift and there is a reasonably full range of movement available within the backhoe itself so it can be posed realistically digging. It cannot fold up tight however so it sits slightly wide of the rest of the vehicle, and also very low to the ground.
The front bucket has a very good range of movement available. It can lift up high and although it is a little stiff, and it can tip right over which is good as it means the model can be posed digging with the front bucket as a stabiliser. It is only a pity that the rear stabilisers are non functional.
Quality
The model is quite nice quality with decent castings and unobtrusive rivets. The paintwork is very good.
Price
Although the model is small, it is reasonable value.
Overall
This is an interesting model of an historic machine, and Corgi have rendered it pretty well. A little more detail and some working rear stabilisers would have made this a great model, but as it is, it is easy to recommend.
Footnotes
The model first appeared as a separate item in 2009 and was boxed in a limited run of 1500 models worldwide. It was also included as a load for a Nooteboom low loader and packaged as model 14015.
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|  | | The model inside the box, complete with numbered card. |  | | The bucket is raised for travelling. |  | | Cab detail. |  | | Loading a MAN Tipper. |  | | The bucket raises high. |
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