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| Smart
sleeve.
|
 |
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| Limited
steering angle, but it looks great. |
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| Detailed
chassis. |
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| Straight
exhaust pipes.
|
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| Underneath the
boosters. |
|
|
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| Detailed
wheels. |
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| Impressive
trailer. |
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| Looks good. |
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| Hauling an RT
crane. |
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| Two axle
booster. |
|
The tractor is an International HX520 6x4 and the
trailer is an XL 120. Two boosters are also
included.
The review model is the black version.
Packaging
The packaging consists of a cardboard outer shipping
carton which encloses a very quality drawer-style tray
within a picture sleeve.
There were no defects or missing parts on the review
model.
Included with the model are a few parts to add in
various configurations. There is a small sheet
describing how to extend the flip neck on the trailer.
Detail
The International tractor chassis has the engine,
gearbox and transmission detailed in plastic. The
twin fuel tanks and exhaust is modelled and there are
soft mud flaps. The plastic wheels are
detailed and there are different tyres on the steering
and driven axles.
The front grille is very good and there is a tiny badge
at the top. The light and front bumper look nice
also, although there is no number plate as this is a
generic truck.
Around the cab the chrome work looks very smart, and the
mirrors are plastic, and the steps are textured.
The exhaust stacks are very detailed and a choice of
straight or bent exhaust pipes is included. The
cab interior has detailing.
Behind the cab is more chrome work with a light bar and
optional 'Oversize Load' sign.
There are no coiled
lines, but the rear wheel arches are chromed. The
rear lights are painted.
The trailer is made up of the gooseneck, the
trailer, a 1-axle or 2-axle booster in the East Coast design.
The gooseneck is a metal part. It has sharp
graphics applied.
The trailer is a heavy metal part. There are
plastic ramps at the front, and the deck has plastic
replica timber surfaces which have a nice texture and
pattern. The edges have the outriggers modelled in
the casting and there are sharp graphics. The deck
has a good looking pre-camber.
At the rear, the axle assemblies are modelled well, and
the wheels are detailed. There is a textured
surface on top and there are soft mud flaps at the back.
The rear lights look convincing.
The two boosters are very similar with the difference
being the number of axles. They are mainly metal
with sharp graphics and the same plastic wheels as the
trailer, and soft mud flaps. They lack a drop leg
jack so they can stand properly when not connected.
An 'Oversize Load' sign can be attached to the rear of
the trailer or boosters.
Features
The HX520 has steering with a limited range of movement,
and it rolls freely.
The hood tilts forward to about 45° and can pose in any
tilted position. The engine underneath is detailed
in a number of coloured components.
The gooseneck is detachable from the deck and is hinged
so the angle is adjustable. It has an extending
flip neck with an alternate king pin position.
The deck has fold-down ramps at the front. The
rear axles have a degree of vertical float.
Either the one-axle or two-axle booster can be added to
increase the capacity of the trailer.
Quality
This model is well made with a high metal content.
The paintwork and graphics are to a high standard.
Price
It is reasonable value.
Overall
It is good to see Diecast Masters produce a
US tractor
trailer combination, and it is a logical step to provide
trucks that can be posed carrying models from their vast
Caterpillar catalogue. Overall it is very good and
a welcome addition.
Footnotes
The model appeared in October 2018 after being first
announced at the 2018 Nuremberg Toy Fair.
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|
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|
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| The parts and
leaflet. |
 |
|
The model in basic
configuration. |
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| Lots of chrome
work. |
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| Opening hood. |
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| Underneath the
trailer. |
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| Very sharp graphics. |
|
|
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| Outriggers are
formed in the casting.
|
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| Hauling an
excavator. |
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| Pre-camber on
the deck. |
 |
|
Loading the crane. |
|
