 |
| Transport
Series
sleeve.
|
 |
 |
| Limited
steering angle. |
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| Detailed
chassis. |
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| Opening hood.
|
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| Headache rack
removed. |
|
|
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| Edge detailing. |
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| Running empty. |
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| Hauling an
articulated dump truck. |
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| Two axle
booster. |
|
The tractor is a Western Star 49X Tridem and the
trailer is an XL 120. Two boosters are also
included.
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 configure the headache rack behind the
cab.
Detail
The tractor chassis has the
engine, gearbox and transmission
detailed in plastic. Chrome
work includes the fuel tanks and
exhaust. There are
soft mud flaps. The plastic wheels are
detailed and there are different tyres on the steering
and driven axles.
The front grille has a logo
at the top and a bull bar is modelled. The lights
are inset, and the large chrome
bumper does not have a license
plate as this is a generic
model. Western Star
branded mud flaps are fixed at
the front and rear.
The cab has a chrome visor and
air horns, and the mirrors are
plastic. Textured steps
rise to the cab door, which does
not have a window fitted.
The exhaust stacks have bent pipes. The
cab interior has very nice console detailing.
Behind the cab the optional headache rack has a beacon
light bar and 'Oversize Load' sign,
but there are no coiled
lines. At the rear there is a a simple towing
hitch.
The trailer is made up of the gooseneck, the
trailer, and 1-axle or 2-axle booster.
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 Western Star has steering with a limited range of movement,
and it rolls freely.
The hood tilts forward to about 35° and can pose in any
tilted position. The engine underneath is detailed
in a number of coloured components.
The cab doors can be opened.
The headache rack is removable
and can be replaced with a flat
plate.
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
This is an alternative
combination using a Western Star
tractor and provides a good
heavy haulage option to display
Caterpillar models.
Footnotes
The model appeared in October 2022.
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|
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|
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| The parts and
leaflet. |
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The model and boosters. |
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| Headache rack
is removable. |
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| Opening doors. |
|
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| Underneath the
trailer. |
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| Very sharp graphics. |
|
|
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| XL Trailer mud
flaps.
|
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| Configured with
booster. |
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| Trailer parts. |
 |
|
Loading the articulated dump truck. |
|
