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Wolff branded box. |
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Parts in the
bottom layer. |
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Large climbing frame. |
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Machinery deck
looks really good. |
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Jib sections
have mesh walkways. |
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Jib supported
during erection by the assembly brace ropes. |
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Full 70m
configuration. |
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The name is on
the plate. |
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Strut prevents
over-luffing. Realistic steep angle. |
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The Wolff 700 B is one of the largest in their luffing
jib range. It has a maximum jib length of 70m, and
a maximum capacity of 40 tonnes.
Packaging
The model comes in a high quality Wolff branded box with
the parts held in foam rubber.
The review model had
no defects or missing parts.
There is a detailed instruction manual for the model
which is pictorial and it has a list of parts. The
possible jib configurations of the real crane are shown.
Detail
Starting at the bottom the cross frame is a detailed
casting and it clips into four concrete coloured pads.
The large ballast blocks are single pieces shaped like
separate slabs and the Wolff name is on each slab.
The tower sections are very good with the fixing
positions rotated at each corner like the real crane.
Plastic bolts are used for the connections and these
work very well. Inside each section there are
plastic ladders and platforms. Each tower section
on the model is the length of two sections on the real
crane which is a pity as it means the model cannot be
posed with a section on the climbing frame.
A capacity board clips in to the tower.
The climbing frame is very robust and the lattice work
seems thick. The access platforms are nice, but
the main ram is modelled in metal as part of the main
casting rather than being a separate component, and the
tray has a solid bottom.
The slewing ring and counterjib are modelled very well,
and the winches look realistic and the auxiliary crane
on the machinery deck is modelled too. All the
handrails and ladders are in metal. The
counterweight is made up of solid blocks, but is cast to
look like separate slabs.
The cab is very good considering the scale, and
windscreen wipers are replicated by graphics.
The upper tower head section is very good and it is made
up of separate parts so could be used to make transport
loads. The pulleys are metal, as they are
everywhere else on the model. The strut that
prevents over-luffing of the jib is also modelled.
The jib is excellent with a very straight profile.
It is made up of separate sections just like the real
crane, and the lattice work is fine quality, and mesh
walkways add detail. Some sections have internal
pulleys for the hoist rope. There are access
platforms at the jib end and these are plastic,
presumably to keep the weight down, but they look fine.
The assembly brace ropes are modelled, but they are a
stiff thread so they do not hang in a nice catenary
shape when not in use.
The hook block is a nicely detailed part considering the
scale. A Wolff branded plate is provided for use
as a load.
Features
The crane rotates smoothly.
The luffing winch works well, and luffing is smooth.
It is operated by a key and relies on friction to hold a
position. Over luffing is accurately prevented by
the strut on the upper tower head section.
The hoist winch also works well, and the hook can be
reeved for 1, 2 or 3 falls.
The other main feature of the model is the configuration
options. The tower can be built in different
heights, with or without the climbing frame, and all of
the jib lengths of the real crane can be replicated.
The crane can also be accurately displayed during
various stages of erection.
Quality
This is a high quality and robust tower crane
model, with a high metal content.
The paintwork is very good as are the graphics.
Price
It is good value given the quality and
flexibility.
Overall
Conrad has a long history of making tower crane
models in 1:87 scale, and this is the best so far. Apart
from the double height tower sections it accurately
replicates the parts of the real crane, meaning that
realistic transport and erection poses can be made.
Above all, the model looks great when fully assembled.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the end of 2017. A
conversion kit to make the US version of the crane was
also produced as Conrad #98031. |
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Top layer of parts and instruction sheet. |
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Profile view. |
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Very nice
cross frame. Capacity board on the tower. |
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Cab detail is
very nice. |
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Wolff sign
board. |
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Realistic. |
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Excellent jib
profile. |
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