 | | Conrad box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Equipment tower. |  | | Tilting cab. |  | | Steering front and rear. |  | | Fifth axle raised out of service. |  | | Fifth axle clearance is good. |  | | Front bogie. |  | | Rear axles. |  | | Gooseneck. |  | | Deck plates are plastic. |  | | Axles raised and well clear. |  | | Extended deck. |
| Faymonville is a Belgian manufacturer of semi-trailers for the specialist haulage industry. It was founded in 1962.
This model is of a VarioMax trailer and the tractor is a MAN TGX 10x4. The real tractor was originally an 8x4 but the fifth axle was added as a modification by Estepe.
The trailer is in Faymonville colours and the tractor is in the colours of Renting Car-WTS, which is a subsidiary of the Faymonville Group.
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 the accessory bag for the tractor missing, but this was quickly provided separately.
There are a number of trailer 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.
The MAN tractor has separately attached mirrors and roof aerials, and there is a second optional towing hitch.
There is no information supplied about Faymonville or the real vehicle.
Detail
The MAN TGX tractor is a 10x4 and the MAN model designation is 41.540. 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, and the wheels on the fifth axle look the same size as the others which is close enough to the real vehicle.
The cab has very detailed graphics and colour coded door mirrors, but there is no number plate. The roof has a good light bar, beacon lights and aerials. Under the cab is a reasonable engine.
The metal equipment tower includes a large tank and cabinets, but no air lines. The wheel arches are plastic with lenses on the lights at the rear. Two towing hitches complete the detail.
The gooseneck is a heavy piece with wheel chocks and spare wheels. The casting details are good and plastic width markers can be attached.
The front and rear axle groups are of similar construction with very strong metal frames and reasonable looking wheels. Each set of wheels is mounted on a plastic support which includes a working cylinder. There is a yellow stripe painted down the edges of the units. At the rear there are some graphics applied but the lack of any detail on the rear lights looks a little odd.
The deck is a strong part in metal. There are plastic fold-out supports and plates which can make the deck full width.
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. The fifth axle also has a limited degree of steering and can also be raised and clipped out of service. At the rear, the driven axles float independently to give some suspension movement.
The cab tilts forward but would not stay tilted on the review model.
A second towing hitch can be fitted at the rear, although it fouls the trailer if fitted.
The gooseneck angle can be adjusted with the modelled cylinders which are stiff enough to hold any pose.
The trailer axle units have 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 the five axle unit has a degree of proportionality in the steering. Each wheel set can also be raised and clipped out of service.
The deck beam is adjustable for length, and using the width extenders a full width deck can be attained.
The width marker boards can be extended or retracted.
The deck can be attached to the front axle unit or directly to the gooseneck.
When stretched out to the maximum length the whole model is around 60cm long.
Quality
The manufacturing quality is very good, with the paint applied well and the graphics on the MAN are of a very high standard.
Price
The model is reasonable value.
Overall
Although it is not the most highly detailed model, the functionality is good and another Faymonville model from Conrad is to be welcomed. It is good enough to be highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2012.
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|  | | The parts rest in high quality foam. |  | | The standard configuration without deck plates. |  | | MAN is decorated in the colours of the Faymonville subsidiary Renting Car-WTS. |  | | A heavy tractor. |  | | Smart decoration. |  | | No number plates on the model. |  | | Detailed chassis. |  | | Underside of the gooseneck. |  | | Width markers at the rear. |  | | Deck separated. |  | | Hauling a Soilmec SR70. |  | | Good trailer for a heavy load. |  | | Configured with the deck directly connected to the gooseneck. |
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