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Faymonville CombiMax

Maker:  Conrad
Model No:  98023
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  February 2015


Conrad Index
Special Transport Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Individual ratings are not given for Accessory Reviews
Packaging             
Detail    
Features    
Quality   
Price    
Overall   

Footnotes


Faymonville CombiMax Video. [YouKu Video]
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The box.
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Enough parts to make two big trailers.
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Gooseneck.
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Five line module.
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Big selection of modules.
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Drawbar.
Gooseneck supports.
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Impressive long trailer.
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Carrying a heavy fabrication.
Towing some of the modules.  The MAN tractor is from Conrad model 70195.
Rear end detail.
Comment on this model.

Faymonville is a Belgian manufacturer of semi-trailers for the specialist haulage industry.  It was founded in 1962.

The CombiMax is a kit system with a modular platform structure that is configurable to provide individual transport solutions.  It was awarded the IAA 'Trailer Innovation Award' for 2015.

Packaging

The model comes in a CombiMax box which also has a plastic carry handle. Inside, the many parts of the kit are held within foam rubber.

There were no defects or missing parts on the review model. 

The kit includes an assembly sheet.  It has a parts list and a number of photos showing their assembly.   A couple of configurations are shown. 

It would have been good if there was more information about the flexibility of the real CombiMax system.

Assembly is straightforward with many of the plastic parts clipping into position.  However they seem strong and not brittle or liable to crack.

Detail

The kit consists of a large number of parts.  There are module units ranging from 1 to 6 axle lines. 

Each module has a heavy metal frame and the wheel assemblies are modelled in plastic, with plastic wheels and decent tyres.  The connectors at the ends are separate plastic parts which clip in, and are chosen depending on the configuration.  Metal plates can be slid in to cover the central wells if required.  Modules are joined using a plastic locking bolt.

A separate module bridge section is included, as is a beam which can be set to various lengths.  Two turntables are in the set and these are all plastic with adjustable metal stakes, and they can be positioned at defined positions on the modules.

A deck beam section is also in the kit but it does not include any bridging timbers to form a flat deck which is a pity.

The gooseneck is a robust part with spare wheels and wheel chocks, and two support legs are provided for when the gooseneck is not attached to a tractor.  As an alternative a metal drawbar can be attached.

Other details include two light boards which can be clipped at the rear and these are plastic parts with good graphics.  Width markers can also be attached to the gooseneck and modules.

Features

The main feature of the kit is that it reflects the real CombiMax in terms of the variety of trailer configurations that it is possible to build. 

The module wheel sets can rotate transversely to give some flexibility on a rough surface.  However it is surprising that there is no steering of the wheel sets possible, so travelling in a straight line is the only posing option supported.

The gooseneck is adjustable for angle using the hydraulic rams which are very stiff.

The deck frame is extendible in length.

The spine beam has an adjustable connector so can be set at different lengths.

The width markers can be extended and retracted.

Quality

This is a typically robust Conrad model.  Most of the the connectors and other small parts are plastic, but the colour match to metal parts is very good.

The paintwork is very good, and the few graphics are sharp. 

Price

This kit is quite expensive, but there are enough parts to make up a couple of large trailers.

Overall

This is an interesting kit which does a very good job of mirroring the flexibility of the CombiMax trailer system.  It certainly would have been nicer if the modules had been made with simple steering at least, as more realistic poses could have been made.  However, the kit offers many options to make interesting displays.

Footnotes

This kit first appeared in December 2014. 


 
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The box has many parts in the kit.
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Wheel chocks at the front.
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Wheel assemblies are plastic.
Bridge section, turntable and beam.
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Carrying a long beam.
 
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Transporting a large vessel.
Inter dolly formation.  Boom of machine lowered into the well.
Configured to shift a conventional load.
The frame is also telescopic.