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| The Conrad brand
box. |
 |
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| On the
road. |
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| Good graphics
on the MAN. |
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| Steering
movement is very good.
|
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| Tilting cab,
but the movement is limited and the cab cannot pose
tilted. |
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| The trailer can
be supported by front legs when disconnected from
the tractor. |
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| Rear steering
on the trailer. |
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| The trailer extended
and shown here with the deck posts fitted. |
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| The trailer
disconnected from the gooseneck. |
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| Carrying a
Volvo A40D. |
|
The German company Doll was originally
founded in 1878.
The 5-axle semi trailer featured here is the low bed version
and it is used in a variety of industries to carry heavy
or large loads.
The model is in the colours of
Affolter, a Swiss haulier and consists of a MAN TGX
6x4 tractor and Doll 5-axle trailer.
Packaging
The model comes in a Conrad branded box which holds the
model within a foam insert. The review model had
one defect. A ramp pin was broken and spares were
quickly provided.
There is a small label on the box with a picture of the
model but nothing about real machine or the livery.
There is little assembly to do other than attach some door mirrors
and aerials to the MAN tractor, and
deck posts to the trailer if desired.
Detail
The tractor unit is a three axle MAN TGX XXL which is
marked TGX 33.680.
Underneath, the transmission components are well detailed
albeit in plastic, and the tyres are mounted on good hubs
with different tyres on the steering axle. The cab is
detailed with colour-coded
door mirrors, windscreen wipers, aerials, horns and beacon light
bar. There are no number plates on the model but
the graphics look good and the livery is appealing.
Behind the cab there is a textured walking surface. The
mud guards on the rear wheels are plastic, and the rear lights are formed of plastic
lenses. There are two towing hitches at the
rear.
The Doll semi trailer is a five axle unit and there is very
little plastic used on it. The treaded tyres
are mounted on small plastic hubs which look reasonable.
The deck has a nice textured surface, and the headboard
at the front has a couple of spare wheels fitted, together
with a set of wheel chocks. Two
ramps at the rear are cast well to include their structure.
Features
The MAN tractor steering works very well,
and a very hard lock can be obtained if desired. The
rear axles of the tractor are floating which give the impression
of a form of suspension. The cab tilts to reveal an engine
block inside, although the forward tilt is very constrained.
A second towing hitch can be added at the rear of the
tractor.
The axles on the trailer all steer together in an impressive
way which is also proportional in that the rear axles steer
more than the front ones, and this works very well with
the rear axle achieving the 45° steering angle of the real
machine. The axles also have a form of suspension.
A good feature is that the semi trailer is extendible which
makes it much longer for certain loads and the overall
length of the extended vehicle is 46cm. Additionally
the gooseneck can be separated from the trailer by removing
a plastic pin on the underside.
The trailer has
plastic support legs front and rear which can support it
when detached from the tractor or when being loaded over
the rear end,
and the ramps at the rear fold down nicely. This
version of the Doll trailer has pinned ramps rather than
riveted as in earlier versions, so the model can be
displayed without ramps if desired.
Another
interesting feature is that there are small plastic pull
out horizontal extenders down each side of the trailer bed
which can provide some additional support to wide loads
although no deck planks are included.
A set of metal deck posts can be fitted to each side of the deck
edge although these are not a tight fit so it is a little
difficult to keep them straight and looking right.
Quality
This is a good quality model up to the usual Conrad
standards. There is a limited use of plastic and the
model has a solid feel. The paintwork and graphics are good.
Price
The model is good value for the quality and features offered
bearing in mind it is a very limited edition.
Overall
This tractor and trailer look good in the colours of
Affolter and it has many features which provide
interesting display possibilities. It is easy to
recommend.
Footnotes
The model appeared in the Heavy Transport Models shop in
February 2012 and was made in a run of 100 models.
A previous version of the Doll Trailer
was produced in the colours of
Bloedorn.
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|
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| The model in
its wrapping. |
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| A number plate
would have added to the detail.
|
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| Plastic lights
at the back.
|
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| Light bar and
aerials on the roof. |
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| Trailer
steering has excellent movement. |
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| Deck extenders
pull out but no planks are supplied.
|
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| Smart livery.
|
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| Posed without
the ramps. |
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| Heavy haulage
on the move. |
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| Unloading the
Volvo. Ramps and stabilisers down. |
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