 |
| Weathered
series box. |
 |
 |
| Interesting
display piece. |
 |
| Reasonable
height of lift. |
|
|
 |
| Dirty
appearance. |
 |
| Pivot point. |
 |
| Radiator
weathering is very good. |
 |
| Bucket edges
show wear. |
 |
| On the road. |
 |
| It is a good
load. |
|
The Caterpillar 966M
is a medium sized wheel loader. It has an operating
weight of 23.2 tonnes.
This version of the model is in a weathered finish.
Packaging
The model comes in high quality packaging. There is
an outer shipping carton which contains hinged box
covered by a protective sleeve. The model is
protected by foam rubber.
The review model had no missing parts or defects.
A 2022 mini
catalogue of the Diecast Masters range was included with
the review model.
Detail
The underside has limited detailing with the transmission modelled.
Weathering is applied with paint appearing rubbed off. The tyres have
scuffed and used appearance and they
are mounted on plastic wheels which have dirty hubs.
At the rear the radiator grille has a Cat badge and
video camera and the weathered finish is applied well. The
rear side grilles are formed by graphics and a dirty
look has been applied to them and the Cat logo and 966M
name badge. The exhaust stack
is plastic without a hole.
The cab is detailed and has a non-removable operator.
The grab rail and mirror assemblies are plastic. A
nice weathering detail is that the windscreen is clean
in the area swept by the wipers.
Detail at the pivot point includes the
steering rams and transmission, and there are some small
graphics which add to the appearance. However, there are
no hydraulic hoses visible. At the front
there are lights mounted on plastic stalks.
The loader arms have weathering applied, and it has also
been painted on to the hydraulic rams pistons.
These would have looked much better shiny.
The metal bucket has abrasive wear marks applied to the
teeth and edges.
A resin base plate is included which has not slip feet
underneath. The surface is convincing and includes
tyre tread marks to match the model.
Features
It rolls very smoothly and the rear axle has significant
transverse oscillation for rough terrain..
Steering across the pivot point achieves a very moderate
angle.
The bucket has a slight cut angle but very little carry
angle. The lift height is reasonable but the tipping
angle is weak.
Quality
It is a good quality model.
The paintwork is very good and the weathering is applied
very well.
Price
It is moderately priced.
Overall
It is interesting to see this latest release in Diecast
Master's Weathered series. The weathering looks
realistic for the most part and the model is a good
display piece on its resin base.
Footnotes
This version of the model first appeared in September
2022.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Standing on the
resin base. |
 |
| Weathering is
applied underneath. |
 |
| At work. |
|
|
 |
| Tyres have
scuff marks. Pistons would have looked better
unweathered.
|
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Weathering on
the Cat logo. |
|
