 |
| The box.
|
 |
 |
| A big one. |
 |
| Graphics are very
sharp. |
 |
| Engine visible
through the fine mesh grille. |
 |
| Tough bottom
dump bucket. |
 |
| Opening hatch
on top.
|
 |
| Detailed boom
hydraulics.
|
 |
| Boom and stick
are convincing. |
 |
| Beating up a
Peterbilt East Dump Truck. |
 |
| Loading a
Caterpillar 772. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The Caterpillar 385C FS Face Shovel is designed for high
production mining applications.
It has an operating weight of around 90 tonnes.
Packaging
The model is packaged really well with an outer
cardboard box containing a presentation box wrapped in
soft paper. Inside, the model is contained within black
trays. There were no defects or missing parts on the
review model.
A really nice inclusion with the model is a reprint of
the original Caterpillar 385C FS brochure and this also has
a unique serial number for the model.
Detail
The detail underneath is interesting with many panels
detailed on the body. The
metal track pads are very detailed too, and the track frames
have rollers and finely detailed steps.
The cab has protection grilles and a mirror, and the
interior detail is very good with the controls and
monitor modelled. The handrails up to the cab door
are plastic with a very good colour match.
The body is very convincing with realistic grilles and
graphics, with a number of metal grab rails. Walkways
along the sides have a textured surface, and the black
engine cover has an excellent fine mesh section. A plastic engine resides underneath.
The hydraulics are to a very high standard with plenty
of hoses linked to the pump. Slewing motors are
also modelled.
The boom is very good with lifting eyes and hydraulic
pipes modelled, and there are hoses to the hydraulic
cylinders which also have protection guards. The stick is to
the same high standard with the applied graphics looking
sharp.
The bottom dump bucket is cast really well with very
good teeth and the hydraulics appear realistic.
Painted pins make all of the connections look authentic.
Features
The tracks roll really well aided by the working
rollers, and the tension is maintained by spring loaded
idler wheels.
The cab has an opening door without unsightly hinges.
At the rear there three opening hatches which are all
implemented well.
The model rotates well.
The boom and stick mechanism is very stiff rather than
smooth although it is possible to pose a full range of
movement. The bucket moves rather easier and the
bottom dump mechanism is excellent with the pistons in
the cylinders
actually operating rather than being dummies.
Quality
This is a very good quality model with a high metal
content and the relatively few plastic elements do not
detract.
The paint and graphics are very good.
Price
The model is fair value in view of the high quality.
Overall
This is a very nice model of a modern Caterpillar
machine. It has very good details and looks
authentic. It is an outstanding Caterpillar model.
Footnotes
This
model appeared in early 2012 in a run of 750 models. A
version of 1000 models was also made in a 385C L
Excavator version.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Included is a
uniquely numbered brochure and a pointer to open doors. |
 |
| Very nice track
details. |
 |
| Ready to be
fired up.
|
 |
| Panels are
detailed underneath the body. |
 |
| Cab guards. |
 |
| Opening cab
door. |
 |
| Step up to a
big machine.
|
 |
| Hydraulics
inside the bucket work. |
 |
| More opening
hatches. |
 |
| Impressive. |
|
