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| The box.
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| Very good rear
work lights. |
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| Underside. |
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| Work lights
with mesh covers at the front. |
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| Tilting cab. |
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| Heavy cabling
and the AC/DC inverter at the rear.
|
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| Engine panels
have excellent fine perforations. |
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| Engine inside. |
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The Caterpillar D7E is a dozer in
the 25 tonne class. It was introduced in 2008 and
its unique feature is the electric drive technology
which offers greater efficiency and fuel economy.
Packaging
CCM's packaging is high quality with an outer cardboard
box containing a presentation box wrapped in tissue.
Inside, the model is contained within polystyrene trays
and has its own clear plastic wrapping. There were no defects
or missing parts on the review model.
There is no information about the real machine or the
model. Two parts are included with the model; a pin for
the towing hitch and a small wire tool which appears
designed to aid opening the panels on the model.
Detail
As a 1:24 scale model it is large and impressive
allowing some finer detailing and parts which are more
accurately scaled.
Underneath, the body plates have various rivet details. The
metal tracks are very good quality and robust. So are
the track frames, and these have working rollers top and
bottom, and good bolt head details throughout.
The engine area has fine handrails and the side panels
have very fine perforations. The hinges on the panel
doors are painted so they are unobtrusive. The exhaust
and other parts are metal. Inside the engine
compartment there is a well detailed engine with pipes
and other components, and a silver radiator. Looking
from the front the radiator grille is metal and
perforated and a large fan can be seen behind it which
is a great detail.
The cab area has very good non-slip texturing around the
outside and some finer detailing within the casting. A
pair of rear work lights has mesh protection. The view
inside the cab is impressive with the controls and
computer console all looking realistic, and the Cat name
is printed on the seat. A rear view mirror hangs from
the roof. Under the cab the AC generator is modelled as
is the AC/DC power inverter, and there are various
cables and components.
At the rear there is a frame with a towing hitch and a
pin that would allow a tow bar to be connected.
The blade is a meaty chunk of metal with anti wear
plates fitted along the bottom edge. The frames holding
it have stepping positions for access to the cab. The
main cylinder has an authentic looking connection to the
blade and there is good quality rubber hydraulic hosing.
Features
The tracks mechanism is a little stiff so they do not
roll on a smooth surface. Each set of tracks is linked
by a pivoted transverse beam so they can oscillate up
and down relative to each other.
The engine panels on each side open to reveal the
detailed engine. The panels are close fitting so take a
little effort to prise open, and the supplied tool is
not very effective.
Two panels open up on each side at the bottom of the cab
and this allows the whole cab to be tilted over to
provide access to the inner workings.
The blade raises and lowers and can maintain any pose.
It is rigidly connected so there is no tilt available.
Quality
This is a high quality model with some fine detailing.
The paintwork and graphics are very good and there is
very little plastic used.
Price
Because of its large size there is a lot of metal used
and so it is relatively pricey. However it is
reasonable
value for what is offered.
Overall
Although 1:24 scale is unusual there is no doubt a big
and impressive model results. It looks particularly
imposing on a desk and is the kind of model that would
have
non-collectors looking. It is highly recommended.
Footnotes
This model was introduced at the end of 2009 in a run of 1000 models. A
later version in a run of 250 models included a Carco
H90 Winch Package.
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| Profile view. |
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| Blade up. |
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| Track details
are good. |
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| Very good
cab interior.
|
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| Opening panels. |
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| Please don't
operate it like this. |
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| Towing frame. |
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| Radiator block
is silver. |
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| View inside the
cab - rear view mirror and console. |
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