 |
| Weather Series
packaging. |
 |
 |
| Load plate
included. |
 |
| On the base
plate. |
|
|
 |
| Detailed base
plate. |
 |
| Good steering
angle. |
 |
| Very good
tipping angle. |
 |
| Under the dumb
bed. |
 |
| Goes very well
with other models. |
 |
| On the road. |
|
The Caterpillar 745 weighs around 33 tonnes and can
carry a payload of around 45 US Tons.
This version of the model has a weathered decoration.
Packaging
The model comes in
'Weathered Series' packaging. There is
an outer shipping carton which contains a hinged box
inside an outer sleeve.
The review model had no missing parts.
The assembly of parts of the model were not quite
perfect.
A mini
catalogue of the Diecast Masters range is included.
Detail
The
model comes with a resin base plate. It is heavy
and the texturing includes tyre tracks.
The chassis is modelled well with the drive shafts and
suspension linkages present. The big tyres have a
very good tread pattern and they are mounted on detailed
plastic wheels. Weathering has been applied as a
dirty look with some scratched surfaces.
At the front there are various details within the
casting and there are grilles formed by graphics.
The lights look good, and there is a nice Cat logo
visible through the weathering.
Access around the cab is textured and the metal
handrails are nice and thin.
The cab
is plastic with a plastic roof and there are wipers on the
windows. The weathering has been applied well,
with the swept wiper area being clean. The mirrors are mounted on flexible
plastic stalks. The cab is detailed and there is
an operator installed.
The pivot point has got a convincing pair of armoured
hydraulic connections, and the weathering has been
applied.
At the rear the lights are detailed nicely and the axle
and suspension bars look good too.
The dump bed has weathering applied inside and out.
An optional plastic dummy load is provided, and it adds
an interesting display option.
Features
It rolls very smoothly with each wheel rotating
independently. The steering has a nice stiffness
and can reach a good angle. The suspension on the
rear axles is excellent with the complex linkages
engineered very well.
The dump bed raises smoothly and reaches a very good
angle. It will hold any intermediate pose.
The engine hood tilts forward and can pose tilted. There
is a detailed engine underneath.
The cab can be tilted sideways to provide access to
equipment underneath. The movement is restricted
by the metal handrails, but some detailing can be seen.
The cab roof is removable
giving access inside. However, the operator is
fixed in position and is not removable.
Quality
It is a
robust and very good quality model with a high metal content.
The weathering effect is applied really well for a mass
produced product.
Price
It is good value overall.
Overall
This is a very nice addition to Diecast Masters
Weathered Series.
The 745 is particularly good for its functionality, and
it looks realistic posed on its base plate.
Footnotes
The model
was
released in October 2022.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Realistic. |
 |
| Weathering is
applied underneath. |
 |
| Opening hood
and tilting cab. |
|
|
 |
| Weathering
applied to the wheel and pivot point.
|
 |
| Profile view. |
 |
| Inside the load
bed. |
 |
| Good looking
load. |
 |
| Realistic
weathered machine. |
|
