| Tii Group branded box. | | | Very nice module surface. | | Excellent detail with tiny graphics. | | Surfacing on the power pack is detailed. | | High quality etching. | | Highlighting of details. | | Transporting a heavy fabrication. | | All wheels grounded. |
| Comment on this model.
Scheuerle Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMT) are designed for transporting very heavy loads over short distances. SPMT units can be coupled together in various ways and have carried loads over 15,000 tonnes.
Packaging
The model comes in a robust high quality box with Tii branding. The model parts are held within individual expanded polystyrene trays.
The review model had no missing parts or defects.
There is a good small booklet which describes the assembly of the model. It also describes some arrangements of other components not included in this model.
Detail
One 4-line and one 6-line module is supplied, and they are both detailed to the same level. A separate power pack module is also included.
The rubber tyres are good with a realistic tread pattern and they are mounted on metal hubs which are different on the driven and non-driven axles. Each pair of wheels is mounted on a metal support with a non-functioning hydraulic cylinder.
The structure underneath is strong and robust.
The edges of the modules are very detailed with many tiny graphics on the sides and ends. The surfaces are nicely textured with finely detailed tie-down points
Plastic connectors enable the modules to linked at the ends or on the sides, with the pinning mechanism of the real modules also utilised, although the large steel pin would have looked better in black, and mounted in a holder like the real module.
The power pack has metal sides and top with a plastic underside. There are pipes detailed within the casting at the module connection end. The hydraulic rams which adjust the angle of the PPU are non-functional.
The sides are highly detailed with etched grilles. The top surface has a variety of anti-slip surface and there are nicely detailed but non-functional lifting eyes in the corners.
Features
Each wheel set steers independently with a full range of movement although there was variation of stiffness in the individual sets, with some fairly loose.
There is no height adjustment of wheel sets which is a pity as this is essential functionality of the real machine.
Both modules come with connectors to enable them to be connected in series or in parallel.
The power pack can be fitted to the ends of either module.
Quality
These are high quality models with limited use of plastic.
The paint finish is very good and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is moderate value.
Overall
Scheuerle SPMT have been modelled before and this version has the high detail level as the major improvement, including the deck finish and tiny graphics. It would have been better however if the wheel sets were height adjustable, although this does not matter for most normal poses. Another plus point is that this set is the first of a system of SPMT components.
Footnotes
The model was released by IMC Models in December 2015.
|
|
| | Booklet and parts. | | Each wheel set has adjustable steering. | | Realistic look, although there is no pin holder at the connector like the real modules have. | | Plastic underside. |
| | Fully assembled. | | Nice profile. | | Parallel assembly. |
|