 | | High quality box. |  |  | | Diamond plating on the back. |  | | Engine bears the Volvo name. |  | | Gooseneck looks great. |  | | Heavy connection of the vessel beams and module. |  | | Support legs for the gooseneck. |  | | Deck level is excellent. |  | | Short wide configuration with a wide vessel. |
|  Comment on this model.
This model is in the colours of Affolter, a Swiss haulier.
The tractor is a Volvo FH16 10x4 and the trailer is a vessel carrier with a Scheuerle 3-line module and vessel bed.
Packaging
The packaging is a high quality Tii-branded presentation box with the model parts held within black foam rubber, and the whole box was shrink-wrapped and delivered in two outer layers of packaging.
There were no missing parts or defects on the review model.
There is no information provided about the real vehicle but a colour instruction sheet provides the main assembly points for the model.
Detail
The Volvo chassis is excellent, with no compromises on the modelling of the steering and transmission with only the exhaust pipe stopping short. The wheels are very detailed with different tyres on the steering and driven axles.
The cab detailing is very good with windscreen wipers, orange beacon lights, and an authentic number plate. The light bar has blue tinted headlamps which mirror the real truck. The cab interior includes the Volvo logo on the steering wheel.
Under the cab is a detailed engine with coloured components and it bears the Volvo name.
Behind the cab, the equipment tower has fine grab rails with a pair of lights on top (there are four on the real truck), and there are coiled air lines. Diamond plated surfacing extends over most of the rear surface. At the back, the lights have plastic lenses and there is an authentic number plate and mud flaps.
The trailer is made up of the gooseneck, a three-axle Scheuerle module and the vessel bed.
The gooseneck is a metal part with some very good details such as banks of hoses and the cabinets on each side have excellently detailed handles. A couple of plastic boxes sit in the load storage area, and two width marker signs can be fitted.
The Scheuerle module has intricate hydraulic lines underneath which join the tanks. The wheels are nice and the structure is modelled in an authentic way. The steering linkages are metal and diamond plated metal cover plates provide the protection. Graphics on the module includes maximum speed signs, and a pair of clip-on rear light clusters is provided.
The vessel bed comprises detailed metal adaptors for fitting to the module and gooseneck, and the main beams are nicely engineered parts.
Features
The Volvo has very stiff steering with very limited movement which is not surprising given the complexity of 3-axle steering.
The cab tilts forward to about 60° and can pose in the tilted position.
The gooseneck has very stiff working cylinders so different angles can be set. It connects to the vessel bed connector using the sliding locking pin system although the pin was a little too short on the review model. Two supports are provided which can be used when the gooseneck is not connected to a tractor.
The Scheuerle module has excellent independent suspension and the steering is proportional. The steering is configurable by adjusting the position of the metal steering bars, although no information is provided on this aspect.
The vessel bed beams can be configured in a normal or extendible wide configuration, and they are also telescopic, so a large model around 60cm long can result.
There are two plastic loading ramps which can be attached as well as four plastic pivoting load plates.
Quality
This model is high quality with plastic used appropriately.
The paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
This Affolter model is good value.
Overall
WSI have produced a high quality heavy haulage model and the Volvo tractor certainly impresses. It looks very good in Affolter colours and is an outstanding model.
Footnotes
The model appeared in December 2012.
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|  | | Five axle Volvo is heavy haulage. |  | | The vehicle in basic configuration. |  | | Very detailed chassis. |  | | Lights have plastic lenses. |  | | Ramps and levelling plates fit to the vessel bed beams. |  | | Light boards at the rear. |  | | The module unit. |  | | Long wide configuration. |
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