 | | 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.
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|  | | 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. |
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