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| Conrad box.
|
 |
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| The parts out
of the box. |
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| Chassis detail. |
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| Wheel details
look good. |
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| Cab tilts, but
not far. |
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| Under a module unit. |
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| Solid gooseneck. |
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| Carrying a
heavy metal fabrication. |
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| Gooseneck
connection. |
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| Carrying a
'vessel'. |
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| Configured for
a very long load. |
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| Deck / module
connection. |
|
This is an exclusive model by Heavy Transport Models
(HTM) and is made for them by Conrad. It is in the colours of
Senn AG, a
Swiss engineering company
headquartered in Oftringen which was founded in 1957.
The tractor is a MAN TGX
XXL SLT 8x4.
Packaging
The model comes in a standard 'Conrad Collection' box
with the model and its many parts securely held within
high quality black foam rubber. The review model had no
defects. The roof aerials supplied for the MAN cab
appeared to be side mounted rather than the top mounted
type needed.
There are a number of components and a black and white
double-sided sheet of instructions is provided which
gives a clear pictorial description of how it fits
together and some of the various configurations
possible. It is straightforward to assemble.
There is no information supplied about Senn AG or the real
vehicle.
Detail
The MAN TGX tractor is an 8x4 and the transmission and suspension is mostly modelled, with
the main prop shaft missing because of the large linked
steering mechanism. The wheels are very good, with
different width tyres split between the driven and
steering axles. The wheels are nicely detailed.
The cab looks really smart in Senn AG colours complete with colour coded
door mirrors, but there is no number plate. The roof
has beacon lights and aerials, although the supplied
aerials look wrong, and air horns add detail. Under the
cab is a reasonable plastic engine.
The metal equipment tower behind the cab is detailed and
very solid and has a good mesh-encased fan on top. The
wheel arches are plastic with lenses on the lights at
the rear. A towing hitch completes the
detail.
The two Goldhofer modules are of similar construction.
They have very strong metal surfaces and structural
frames, and each set of wheels is mounted on a plastic
support which includes a working cylinder.
The gooseneck is a heavy piece and is modelled well with various
cylinders and wheel chocks underneath. The headboard and side
panels are metal with a nice metal hand railing.
The casting details are very good with fine details.
The support beams for the bed are metal and feel strong.
A series of metal adaptors is provided to allow
different configurations. Plastic deck surface
sections can be placed between the beams or
alternatively plastic span rods can be used to maintain
the separation of the beams.
A clip-on light bar with painted details can be
attached at the rear of the trailer.
Features
The MAN tractor has linked steering on the front
two axles and these permit a small range of movement
before fouling on the wheel arches. However they
can be forced to give a hard lock which is fine for
posing the model. At the rear, the
driven axles float independently to give some suspension movement.
The cab tilts
forward but would not pose in a tilted position.
The Goldhofer modules have axles with a very good range of
movement up and down and side to side to represent
suspension. The steering mechanism works well with
various axle lines linked together, and when turned they
have a degree of proportionality in how they move.
The real flexibility of the model is the large number of
possible configurations. The axle units can be coupled
in various ways. They can be separately attached to the
gooseneck, or joined to make a continuous ten axle line.
The deck beam components are adjustable for length and
width, and either deck sections or three different
lengths of width spacer beams can be used. The deck can
be attached to the module units or directly to the
gooseneck.
When stretched out to the maximum
length the whole model is around 70cm long.
Quality
As usual, the Conrad quality is high and the model is
strong and robust with a high metal content. The Senn
AG livery is very good and the applied graphics are sharp.
Price
The price reflects the very limited
edition nature of the model.
Overall
These Goldhofer trailer models have many configuration
possibilities and it looks impressive in Senn AG
colours. It is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The Senn AG livery was made in a limited run of only
150
models.
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|
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|
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| The parts rest in high quality foam. |
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|
The standard configuration. |
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| Very nice
livery details,
but no number plate.
|
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| Very good graphics. |
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| Equipment tower
looks tough. Lights have
plastic lenses. |
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| Wheel arches
are plastic. |
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| Convincing
heavy haulage. |
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| Configured with
module units only. |
 |
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| Rear light
details. |
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| Impressive
load carrier. |
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| Narrow beam
configuration. |
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