 |
| The outer
sleeve. |
 |
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| Excellent book. |
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| The No 12. |
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| Operator area. |
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| Nice looking
engine. |
|
|
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| Detailed
wheels. |
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| 12M3 moldboard
has detailed hydraulics. |
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| Steering angles
are restricted. |
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| Grilles are
formed of graphics. |
|
This model set traces the history of Caterpillar
12 series Motor Graders. It includes models of the No
12 and 963K, and also a book describing the history of
the motor grader series.
This set as one of Diecast Masters Evolution series.
Packaging
The set comes in excellent packaging. There is
an outer sleeve which covers a high quality box. The
box has a hinged lid with a ribbon restraint. Inside
the box there are reprints of relevant marketing
sheets, and various photos of motor graders in
the series.
The review set had no missing parts or defects.
A mini
catalogue of the Diecast Masters range is included
together with a leaflet describing how to install the
operator in the 12M3.
Detail
The set includes a comprehensive ring-bound book. It is
full of information from the
Caterpillar archives and describes the evolution of the
motor grader. It is an excellent
reference work to accompany the models.
The models are fixed to a base plate which has
nice quality badges embedded. The models are fixed by
screws with stands. The stands are partly visible when the models
are mounted.
The No 12 has old fashioned tyres and wheels at the
front, and behind them is a raking tool. The
rivets used to connect parts are painted so they do not
spoil the look.
The
moldboard is simple and it is attached to a nice toothed
gear ring. Mechanical connections run to the
operator's controls.
The operator's area
has replica levers
and it is nice to see an operator which is is fixed in
position and is in period clothing. A
plastic umbrella provides protection.
At the rear the engine block and radiator grille have
details highlighted with paint.
The 12M3 has nice rubber tyres which are mounted on
plastic wheels. The mud guards are all soft plastic.
At the rear the ripper is metal and the five shanks have
nice teeth. The rivets are painted so they look
unobtrusive, and hoses are modelled.
The engine block has metal grab rails and the grilles
are formed of graphics. No hydraulics are visible at
the steering pivot point. The cab roof is plastic, and
the detail throughout the cab is good and it the
operator is in the usual modern style.
The front end has a counterweight fitted and the drawbar
and circle are modelled very well. The moldboard has
rivet details on the blade. The detailing of the
hydraulics is very good.
Features
The No 12 has working steering and the front axle
oscillates. The rear wheel pairs also oscillate.
The blade can be rotated.
The 12M3 front axle has very limited steering capability
but it is able to oscillate up and down. The mechanism
to lean the tyres is modelled, but was non-functional on
the review model. The rear wheels are in linked pairs
with very limited oscillation.
The grader can steer across the pivot point behind the
cab, but the angle is shallow.
At the rear the ripper can be raised and lowered.
The moldboard has a full range of movement. It can be
raised and lowered, and a small amount of side to side
tilt is possible. It can also rotate on the circle, be
extended to one side or the other, and have the face
tilted forwards and backwards.
Quality
The models are very good quality with nice paint and
graphics.
The presentation of the set is excellent.
Price
The set is good value.
Overall
This latest set in the Evolution Series continues the
high standard of the first offerings. In
particular the book is of particular interest to anyone
with an interest in the real machines.
Footnotes
The
set first appeared in 2018.
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| Brochure
reprints in the lid. |
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Mounted on the base plate. |
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| Highlighted
radiator grille. |
|
|
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Underneath the No 12. |
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| Nice base plate
presentation. |
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| Rake and
toothed gear ring. |
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| Underneath the
12M3. |
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| Ripper down. |
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| Operator in the
cab is optional. |
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