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| Caterpillar
branded tin. |
 |
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| At work. |
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| Detailed cab. |
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| Grilles formed
of graphics.. |
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| Digging deep. |
|
|
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| Decent
hydraulics details. |
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| Opening panels. |
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| Sharp graphics. |
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| With a service
truck.. |
|
The Caterpillar 352 Next Generation Hydraulic Excavator
has an operating weight of 48.9 tonnes.
Packaging
The model comes in
the usual excellent Diecast Masters packaging. There is
an outer shipping carton which contains a tin which is
protected by a nylon bag. The tin is high quality and
includes a photo and details about the real
machine.
The review model had no defects or missing parts.
A Diecast Masters promotional leaflet is included.
Unusually for Diecast Masters there is no operator
figure included.
Detail
The undercarriage has a plastic base plate, and the
underside of the body has some detail in the casting. The track frames are
reasonably detailed, including some tiny graphics, but
there are no working rollers.
The metal crawler tracks have decent track pads with
bolt head detailing.
The cab has got mirrors and lights, and a plastic
roof. Inside, the seat has a logo on it.
The body details include highlighted panel handles
and grilles indicated by graphics . The grab
rails and ladders are metal. There are some small
warning sign graphics.
The counterweight has solid lifting eyes.
On top there is black highlighting of rivet head
locations.
Soft hydraulic lines run to the boom foot, and silver
connectors are modelled. Cast-in pipes run to the cylinders on the boom and
stick. Connection pins on the boom and stick are
painted. The boom has lights with black
highlighted cables running to them.
The bucket is a detailed
casting with good wear plates and teeth. It is
fixed to the stick with painted screws.
Features
The tracks are spring loaded for tension, and they
roll very easily.
It rotates with some stickiness on the review model.
The boom
can
be lowered for digging at depth with a little piston
showing on the rams. The stick and bucket have a good
range of movement.
The cab roof is removable, but no operator is included.
The bucket is not designed to be removable.
Quality
It is a robust model with relatively little plastic used.
The paint is very good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is fully priced.
Overall
This is a straightforward version of the Caterpillar 352
without any unusual aspects other than it is surprising
the usual operator figure is not included. . It
looks pretty good and the detailing is to a very good
standard.
Footnotes
The model became available in June 2026.
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| Parked up. |
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| The baseplate
is plastic. |
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| Tiny graphics
on the track frames. |
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Metal handrails. |
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| Profile view. |
 |
| Black
highlighted rivet heads. |
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| Good transport
load. |
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| Loading a road
tipper. |
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