 |
| Conrad
box. |
 |
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| Reasonable
detailing behind the cab. |
 |
| Tilting cab
poses tilted. |
 |
| Proportional
steering on the axles. |
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| Ramps removed
and deck posts fitted. |
 |
| Loaded with a
Cardem demolition
excavator. |
 |
| Extended length
with Eurovia equipment on board. |
 |
| Impressive when
loaded. |
 |
| Unloading on
site. |
|
 Comment on this model.
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.
This version of the model is in the colours of
Cardem which is
a demolition company and part of the
VINCI Group.
Packaging
The model comes in a Conrad branded box which holds the
model within a foam insert.
The review model had no
defects or missing pieces.
There is no information on the model or real vehicle provided.
Assembly is limited to attaching door mirrors and
roof aerail to the MAN cab, and deck posts to the
trailer if desired.
Detail
The tractor unit is a 6x4 MAN TGS. Underneath, the
transmission components are detailed in plastic, and the
tyres are mounted on good hubs with wider tyres on the
steering axle. The cab is detailed with colour-coded
door mirrors, windscreen wipers, aerials and beacon lights.
There are no number plates
on the model which is a surprise for a fleet vehicle, but
the simple Cardem livery
is appealing.
Behind the cab there is a metal equipment box and a textured walking
surface. The wheel arches on the rear wheels are
plastic, and the rear lights are formed of plastic
lenses. There is a towing hitch at the rear and an
alternative is also supplied as a spare.
The Doll semi trailer is a five axle unit and there is very
little plastic used. 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.
A set of 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.
Features
The MAN tractor steering works very well, and a very
hard lock can be obtained if desired. The rear axles are floating which gives the impression of a
form of suspension.
The cab tilts to reveal an engine
block inside, and the cab can pose tilted.
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. Additionally
the gooseneck can be separated from the trailer by removing
a plastic pin on the underside. The trailer also has
plastic support legs front and rear,
and the ramps at the rear fold down nicely.
The ramps can fold down, and are also removable.
Another interesting feature is that there are small
plastic pull out horizontal extenders down each side of
the trailer bed which could provide some additional support to wide loads,
although no spanning timbers are included.
Deck posts can be fitted if required.
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 very good.
Price
The model is good value for the quality and features offered.
Overall
This is another good addition to the collection of VINCI
Group models, and when it is loaded with a suitable
piece of machinery it makes a great display piece. It
has a few small worthwhile revisions compared to earlier
versions of the model and is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The Doll trailer was first announced at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in February
2009 and appeared at dealers in August of the same year.
A version of the Doll Trailer was also produced in 2012
in the colours of
Affolter.
This version in Cardem colours appeared in March
2014 in a limited edition of 300 models
|
|
 |
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| The parts out of
the box. |
 |
| The MAN has very
good steering movement.
|
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| Underneath view.
|
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| Running empty. |
|
|
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| Support legs
down. |
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| Rear view. |
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| No number
plates. The deck posts are difficult to keep
straight. |
 |
| Loading a
Cardem excavator. |
|
