 |
| Goldhofer
branded
box. |
 |
 |
| Very low
headroom so it can traverse under an airplane. |
 |
|
Steering angle is very good. |
 |
| The nose wheel
capture equipment. |
 |
| Good graphics
at the front. |
 |
| Cab elevated. |
 |
| Nice looking
model. |
|
 Comment on this model.
The AST-1 is a towbarless aircraft tractor used for
positioning larger aircraft of up to 600 tonnes at
airports. It works by capturing and raising the nose
wheel of an aircraft.
This version of the model is in the colours of
VINCI Airports.
Packaging
The model comes in an older style Goldhofer branded box
with good quality foam packaging inside. The review model had
no defects or missing parts.
No information is provided about the real machine or
model, and no assembly is required.
Detail
This is a heavy model for the size and the underside is
metal with a simple painted finish. The tyres have
a good tread pattern and the wheels appear to be
reasonably detailed plastic.
At the front the cab is metal with a nicely detailed
interior and good beacon lights on the outside.
The access platforms have a textured surface and the
handrails and mirrors are metal.
The body sides have various panel details contained
within the casting and the handles are highlighted
which, together with other graphics gives a detailed
appearance. At the rear the lights are coloured.
On the inner sides of the body plastic is used for the
sides and some of the capture equipment but the colour
match with metal parts is good. Overall
the look of this part of the model is good although it
simplifies the detail of the real tractor.
Features
The front wheels steer to a very good angle although not
quite to the 60º angle that the real tractor
achieves. The tractor rolls very smoothly helped
by the weight.
At the front the cab elevates to allow the driver to
have a good view to the rear (the real tractor also has a
rotating seat).
The capture equipment has an elevating ramp, and
extendible and rotating clamps.
Quality
This model has a high metal content and has a
very solid feel as a result.
The paintwork is good, and the graphics are applied
well.
Price
As a very limited edition model it is higher
priced, but it is reasonable value.
Overall
This is an interesting model of an unusual
haulage vehicle. It is very robust with
interesting functionality and is good enough to highly
recommend.
Footnotes
The model first appeared around 2005. This is
version appeared in January 2013 and was produced in a
limited run of 200 models. |
|
|
|
 |
| In the
packaging. |
 |
| Clean lines. |
 |
| Simple
underneath. |
 |
| Detailed
graphics. |
 |
| Looks strange
from the rear with the cab lowered. |
 |
| Extended
capture arms. |
|
