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| Conrad box.
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| The parts out
of the box. |
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| Equipment
tower.
|
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| Tilting cab. |
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| Steering front
and rear. |
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| Fifth axle
raised out of service. |
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| Fifth axle
clearance is good. |
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| Front bogie. |
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| Rear axles. |
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| Gooseneck. |
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| Deck plates are
plastic. |
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| Axles raised
and well clear. |
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| Extended deck. |
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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. |
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The standard configuration without deck plates. |
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| MAN is
decorated in the colours of the Faymonville subsidiary
Renting Car-WTS.
|
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| A heavy
tractor. |
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| Smart
decoration. |
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| No number
plates on the model. |
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| Detailed
chassis. |
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| Underside of
the gooseneck. |
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| Width markers
at the rear. |
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| Deck
separated. |
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| Hauling a
Soilmec
SR70. |
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| Good trailer
for a heavy load. |
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| Configured with
the deck directly connected to the gooseneck. |
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