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Weathered
Series box sleeve. |
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Resin base is
very good. |
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Nice metal
tracks. |
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Realistic
decoration on the ripper. |
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Operator in the
cab. |
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Weathered
blade. |
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Realistic. |
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Looks good. |
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The Caterpillar D9T weighs around 48 tonnes. It is used for large earthmoving
operations.
This version of the model is in a weathered finish, and
is the first in a line of models designated the
Weathered Series.
Packaging
The model comes in an outer shipping carton which contains a
sleeve which covers a presentation box.
The review model had no missing parts or defects.
There is no information for the model, but a mini
catalogue of the Diecast Masters range is included.
There is no information about the real machine.
Detail
The model comes with a heavy resin base which has rubber
pads underneath. The detaining of the base is very
good and it includes track pattern.
The underside has some good detailing within the casting
and there are transverse beams connecting the track
frames. The metal tracks are nicely detailed with
bolt heads. The weathered finish applied
underneath the model is excellent. The track frames have the rollers modelled
within the casting and they are non-functional. The
high drive sprocket is plastic but this is disguised by
the weathering.
The cab structure is metal and there are wipers on the
windows. The hand rails are metal and thin.
Grab rails are a mix of metal and plastic. and are also
weathered.
Inside the cab there is the usual operator for Diecast
Masters. There is a dusty look to the roof and it is
also applied to the graphics.
Behind the cab there are work lights and red painted
stop lights. The single-shank ripper assembly is metal
and the tooth is sharp. The rams are plastic but they
are detailed. There are
plenty of hydraulic lines although the connection points
are a little crude. Again the weathering is
excellent and includes the hydraulic lines. Some
is also applied to the pistons although they may have
been better left clean.
At the front the engine cover has grille details formed
by graphics and the exhaust and air intake are plastic.
The front grille is plastic and it looks good.
The metal dozing blade has wear plates detailed at the
bottom although there are no perforations in the grille
on the top edge. The weathering is
convincing. There are hydraulic lines
running to all cylinders.
Features
The model poses well on the base, or separately.
The tracks roll very easily in the hand and are
spring-loaded.
The ripper assembly has a reasonable amount of
movement. It can be parked high or positioned with the
ripper down, although the depth of penetration is
shallow.
The blade can be raised and lowered and the mechanism is
reasonably stiff. The tilting function is modelled
well. Some sideways rotation is also possible.
Quality
It is a good quality model with a high metal content.
The weathering is generally excellent for a mass
produced product.
Price
It is good value.
Overall
This model is
nicely detailed with very good functionality. As a
first example of the new Weathered Series is very good,
and is nice change from the usual pristine factory
colours.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in late 2020.
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Inside the box. |
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Convincing
realistic look. |
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Weathering is
underneath too. |
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Only the screw
head detracts from the look a little.
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Profile view. |
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Detailed
weathering. |
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Attractive
display piece. |
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