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Caterpillar
branded box. |
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Excellent
display. |
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Impressive big
Cat. |
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Detail
underneath. |
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Matte silver
finish looks great. |
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Details seem to
stand out more in this colour scheme. |
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Handrails are
black. |
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Perforations on
top of the blade. |
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Access ladder
rotates down. |
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The Caterpillar D11T (JEL Design) has an operating
weight of around 113 tonnes. It is used for large quarry operations.
This version of the model carries a U Blade.
It is in a special Matte Silver finish and is one of
Diecast Master's Caterpillar Commemorative Series.
Packaging
The model comes in an outer shipping carton which contains a
yellow Cat branded box. Inside is a presentation
box.
The review model had no missing parts or defects.
A mini
catalogue of the Diecast Masters range is included.
Detail
The
presentation box is high quality. It has a photo
od the D11T on the inside of the box lid. The
model is supported on a plastic stand on the base.
The base has a mirror finish and there is an etched
nameplate. Overall, the effect of the presentation
is stunning.
The underside of the model has some detailing including
the transverse beam connecting the track frames. The
metal tracks are very good and have bolt head details.
The track frames do not have working rollers.
The single-shank ripper assembly is metal and the tooth
is sharp. The rams are plastic but they are detailed
and the silver finish hides the material type
completely. There are many soft
hydraulic hoses which are black.
The cab structure is metal and the wipers are formed
within the casting. The black hand rails are metal and
thin. Grab rails are a mix of metal and plastic. The
inside of the cab is detailed with the Cat logo on the
seat back and graphics for the instrument clusters which
is a nice enhancement of detail. The roll over
protection structure (ROPS) has small lights. The
folding access ladder on the side is plastic with the
same silver finish.
The walkway around the cab has a textured surface, and
there is fire suppression equipment at the rear.
At the front the engine cover has grille details formed
by graphics and the exhausts and air intakes are
plastic. The front grille is very good and there is a
tiny Cat logo on top.
The metal U blade has wear plates detailed at the
bottom and it is good to see perforations in the grille
on the top edge. There are hydraulic lines
running to all cylinders.
Features
The tracks roll very easily and are
spring-loaded. They are able to be rolled with the
model supported on the base.
The ripper assembly is very stiff and has very good
movement. It can be parked high or positioned with the
ripper down.
The blade can be raised and lowered and the mechanism is
reasonably stiff. The tilting function is modelled
well with a large range of movement possible.
The rotating access ladder sits well in the
parked position.
There are opening engine covers on each side and they
allow a view of some engine detail.
The ROPS and cab roof is removable allowing the inside
of the cab to be seen. There is no operator figure
included with the model.
Quality
It is a very good quality model with a high metal content.
The matte silver paint finish is exceptional.
Price
It is reasonable value
for a special high quality finish.
Overall
This is a different kind of model in that it is aimed at
being a high quality ornament. It achieves this
completely. The matte silver finish is
extraordinarily good, and it seem to make the finer
detailing on the model really stand out.
Footnotes
The model
was released in late 2019.
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Presentation
box. |
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Super mirror finish base. |
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Blade height is
very good.. |
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Big ripper.
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Profile view. |
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Heavy blade. |
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The seat is
silver too. |
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Opening engine
cover. |
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Looks great. |
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