 | | The Nooteboom box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Windmill on the equipment tower. |  | | Great detail underneath. |  | | The 4-axle jeep dolly. The steering on the rear two axles is shown at the maximum lock. |  | | The two dollys coupled for transport. |  | | Generator on the rear dolly. |  | | Details at the rear. |  | | The extendible bed slightly lengthened to carry two sections. |  | | Legs can hold the jeep dolly when the tractor is disconnected. |  | | Impressive. |
| As wind turbines get larger in order to be more efficient the vehicles used to transport them to site need to be able to handle larger and heavier components. A previous version of the Mega Windmill Transporter (MWT) model had a 3-axle jeepdolly and it was reviewed here.
To take heavier loads, this version of the MWT has a 4 axle jeepdolly designated the JPD-65-04. It has a maximum kingpin load of 25 tonnes, and an axle load of 10 tonnes/axle. Axles 1 and 2 are rigid and liftable, and axles 3 and 4 have self tracking steering. At the rear the 7-axle NLD-70 self-steering dolly has steering on axles 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 with a maximum axle load of 10 tonnes/axle.
This model version of the MWT is in Nooteboom colours and it does not come with a windmill load but it is understood that both tower sections and nacelles will be available separately in future.
Packaging
The packaging used is a presentation quality box with the model parts held within black foam rubber. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
There is no information provided about the real machine or instructions for the model which is a pity. A small card warns not to tilt the cab of the tractor as it will break the bull bar on the front.
Detail
The tractor unit is a Scania R Topline 8x4 unit. Details underneath are of the usual WSI high quality with the main elements of the transmission and suspension modelled. Appropriate tyres are mounted on the steering and non-steering wheels, and the hubs are excellent. The front has a bull bar which has a fine mesh and looks great. There is a number plate and a 'special transport' sign. The colour coded mirrors look smart as does the beacon light bar on the roof. Inside the cab, the two beds are modelled behind the seats. Air lines to the trailer extend from the equipment tower behind the cab and diamond plated surfaces surround the fifth wheel. As with other tractors in Nooteboom colours it has a unique number which for this model is T-016.
The Mega Windmill Transporter is made up of two components, the jeepdolly at the front, and a self-steering dolly at the rear. The jeepdolly is four axle and a new casting compared to the three axle version. Underneath, the axles are finely modelled with suspension and steering components. Small rubber tyres are mounted on detailed hubs with plastic mudguards covering each wheel. The standard of the detailing on the jeepdolly is first class with a tiny Nooteboom logo impressing as does the small controls and signage. At the front there is an orange beacon light and a connection point for lines from the tractor. The upper structure carrying the lift adaptor continues the high quality. A nicely rendered generator, hydraulics box and fuel tank are stowed at the front and the main lift adaptor cylinder has hydraulic lines running to it. There are excellent diamond plated walking surfaces at the lift adaptor gantry and a tiny remote control unit is positioned below the lift adaptor. The unique number for the jeepdolly is OPL-011.
The self-steering dolly is a seven axle unit and it replicates all the high quality detailing of the jeepdolly with the addition of a special transport sign at the rear. At the rear a storage platform has been added and this has a couple of spare wheels. A red control cable links the two dollies. The unique number for the rear dolly is OPL-012.
A set of replica timber palettes is supplied with the model together with clip-on width marker signs which incorporate beacon lights.
Features
The tractor unit has steering front axles but the steering lock is extremely limited so good poses of the tractor turning are not possible. The fifth wheel can be significantly adjusted for position longitudinally.
The jeepdolly has steering on axles three and four but the range of movement is really quite small. Each axle also has working suspension. Axles 1 and 2 are lift axles on the real trailer, but this functionality has not been provided on the model. At the front there are a couple of support legs which can be rotated and used to park the jeepdolly when not connected to the tractor. The lift adaptor structure has a range of horizontal movement which is achieved by disconnecting a pin on each side. The connection to windmill components is adjustable through hydraulic cylinders both vertically and fore and aft. The main cylinder has a pin hole to set the position of the lift adaptor but no pins were supplied with the review model.
The self-steering dolly has the same functions as the jeepdolly. However the steering is different with the front three axles linked together, and the rear three axles also forming a linked group. The steering is proportional and is very effectively represented. A mechanism to force rotation of the upper structure is also replicated on the model.
To display the transporter in a short coupled travelling configuration the hooks of the rear lift adapter are put on top of the hooks of the front one, and the vertical cylinder of the rear lift adapter is completely retracted. The top part of the front lift adapter is put down on top of the top of the rear lift adaptor to interlock the pins.
Quality
This is another excellent quality model from WSI. Paintwork and graphics are very good and the colour match between metal and plastic parts is perfect.
Price
The model is good value for a complex model in high quality packaging.
Overall
This version of the Mega Windmill Transport looks very smart in Nooteboom colours and reflects the trend to transport larger and heavier windmill sections. It is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model appeared in September 2010.
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|  | | Quality foam interior. |  | | Bull bar on the front. |  | | Rear view. |  | | Fifth wheel has a large range of movement. |  | | Steering is good on the 7 axle dolly. |  | | Jeep dolly with tiny graphics and generator. |  | | Width markers can be clipped in. The larger ones are deployed on the jeepdolly. |  | | Box at the rear with spare wheels and pallets. |  | | The overall vehicle is an interesting model. |
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