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| The wooden box. |
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| Metal
undercarriage. |
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|
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| Underneath. |
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| Capacity board
on the tower. |
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| The cab. |
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| The L-shaped
angle irons are modelled within the casting. |
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| Commemorative
load. |
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| Lifting a
concrete bucket. |
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The TK 8 tower crane is a historic machine
being one of the first products of the Liebherr Company.
This model was produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary
of Liebherr in 1999.
Packaging
The anniversary version of the model is supplied in a simple
wooden case. The wood is lightweight and pale and
the box is not varnished. However, it still gives
the feel that this is a special model. Removing the
lid reveals the model contained within a black foam rubber
insert which contrasts with the silver colour of the model
very well. There is also a leaflet with the model,
which although not uniquely numbered, is a nice touch.
It shows a copy of the original patent application, a picture
of the original machine and a simple page of instructions.
The high quality packaging delivered an undamaged model.
Detail
The model is assembled and requires no rigging. This
crane runs on tracks and a short metal length is included
with the model.
Turning to the crane itself the immediate impression is
that extra care was put into this model. The casting
detail around the base is excellent. The winding handles
provided to control the hook and jib are metal. The
casting of the mast and jib is first class as close inspection
of the lattice work reveals that the cross members are all
tiny L-shaped angle sections. This is very pleasing
detail.
The cab is also very good and includes a roof section within
the mast cross-section - another piece of close attention
to detail. The hook is a standard Conrad single line
hook. A capacity notice board is clipped to the mast.
Also provided with the model is a medal to celebrate the
50 year anniversary.
Features
The main crane functions can all be operated so the crane
can be posed in any number of ways. The control of
the jib luffing is with a pin through a chain at the end
of the luffing rope.
This means the luffing is not stepless and is more like
a jib which can be fixed in a variety of positions, presumably
as in the real machine. The model is well balanced.
Quality
The casting and paintwork are of a very high standard.
The use of plastic is limited to the pulleys and cab windows.
This model looks exceptionally good under lighting when
the silver paint glistens.
Price
This model is very good value in the wooden case version.
Overall
A very fitting model for Liebherr to celebrate its anniversary.
The excellent quality makes this a first-class model.
Footnotes
The model was produced in two versions of packaging.
The first was in the wooden case described above.
The second was in the usual Liebherr picture box style.
The model was withdrawn from Conrad's online model list
in February 2006.
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| Inside the box. |
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| Metal track. |
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|
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| The TK 8 crane. |
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| Stacked
counterweight blocks are indcated |
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| Complex shape
are cast well. |
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| Excellent jib
geometry. |
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| Looks great. |
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