 | | The box. |  |  | | Ready for the road, but without wing mirrors. There is a ladder fixed on the underside of the cab. |  | | Rear view, with fine lettering on the tail. |  | | Fly jib and counterweight. |  | | Fly jib stays on with the boom up. |
| This is the model of a Faun 3-axle 45t mobile crane. The real crane is produced in conjunction with Tadano, the owners of Faun Gmbh. The model reviewed here is the limited edition 'Scholpp' version.
Packaging
The model comes in a special picture box and inside the model is packed securely within a foam rubber covering which ensured there was no damage to the review model. No instructions are provided but the few pieces provided are easily assembled.
Detail
The cab is quite well detailed with the 'Faun' name forming part of the casting just under the front windscreen. The front lights are plastic inserts rather than clear lenses. Under the front is a silver ladder which is not removable but looks good. The roof has orange beacon lights but this is one of those Conrad models that does not have windscreen wipers or wing mirrors.
The carrier has the usual Conrad style wheels with very good tyres mounted on plastic hubs. The carrier deck has textured walking areas and a well modelled radiator unit behind the cab. At the rear, wheel chocks are fitted and the light blocks are painted on. Underneath there is no detail modelled. The outrigger beams are single stage and made of plastic.
The crane cab has a diecast grab rail but again there is no other detail such as windscreen wipers. Inside the cab there is a simply detailed seat and controls block. Behind the cab is a spare wheel and further to the back is a partial counterweight with plastic cylinders to screw in and attach a separate counterweight block. These cylinders rest loosely in place when they are not attached to the main counterweight block. The hook winch is located above the counterweight and the drum cheeks have toothed edges for ease of operating with a finger. The model would have benefited from a further orange beacon light at the rear.
The boom is a five section telescope with a standard locking mechanism for each section when it is extended fully. At the boom head there are separate plastic pulleys. When the boom is down the hydraulic ram does not look quite right with the cylinder jacket being too short and therefore too much piston remains visible.
The fly jib consists of a finely cast lattice section which pins onto the boom head and an internal plastic section which telescopes out to approximately double the overall length. The hook is a standard Conrad three pulley block.
Features
All axles steer with the rear pair being linked together and so crab steering is possible with all wheels pointing the same way. A reasonable lock can be achieved before the tyres are fouled by the wheel arches.
The outriggers can be extended and screwed down and, although they are plastic, they hold the weight of the crane.
The normal crane functions can all be replicated; slewing, telescoping, boom up and down, and raising and lowering the hook.
The main counterweight is detachable, and can be carried on the carrier deck where it fits over two small notches. A feature of the fly jib is that it can either be mounted straight or at one of two offset angles using a simple latch arrangement.
Quality
Overall this is a good quality model up to Conrad's normal standards. The paintwork and lettering on the 'Scholpp' version reviewed here is first class.
Price
This model is reasonable value for money compared to similar models.
Overall
The ATF 45-3 is an attractive looking crane, particularly in 'Scholpp' red, or the later blue and white version. All the usual crane functions are present so the model can be displayed in a variety of ways to reflect the preferences of the collector. There are some areas for possible improvement; more detailing and modelling amendments such as to the hydraulic ram.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in the BAUMA equipment exhibition in April 2004. It has been produced in a red 'Scholpp' version which appeared in early 2005. In December 2005 a blue and white version appeared which was the new Tadano Faun corporate livery.
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|  | | Model held snugly by the foam wrapping. |  | | Fly jib stows well. The separate counterweight is shown in the transport position. |  | | Hook has a loop at the front for transport. |  | | Ready for work. |  | | 'The crane's ready. Where's the load?' |
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