 | | High quality Nooteboom box. Ballast set is included. |  |  | | Very smart Actros with good steering angle. |  | | Looks real. |  | | Wheel arches are plastic. |  | | Detail underneath. |  | | Very nicely detailed deck structure with aluminium beams represented. |  | | Opening spare wheel holder. |  | | Small graphics on the edge. |  | | Trailer steering performs well. |  | | Realistic. |
|  Comment on this model.
This model is of Mercedes-Benz Actros 6x4 GigaSpace with a Nooteboom 7-axle Ballast Trailer.
It is in the Nooteboom 'Red Line' colour scheme with the tractor having the Nooteboom scale model designation T-102 and the trailer is OPL-104.
Included with the model is a ballast set for a Liebherr LTM 1350 mobile crane.
Packaging
The model comes in a long very robust high quality outer shipping carton. Inside the truck and ballast set are separately packaged. The truck box is high quality, with Nooteboom branding. The model is held within black foam which is fairly stiff so care is needed getting the model out. The ballast set is in a standard WSI style box.
There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
There is a small booklet which has interesting information about the real truck, and it also describes the features of the trailer model. A plastic certificate is also included.
There are a number of small parts to fit to the tractor but there are no instructions. Also included is an alternative fifth wheel which will allow the tractor to accommodate trailers with a thicker king pin.
Detail
The Actros is a 6x4 and it is nicely detailed with the transmission, suspension and tanks modelled. There is Tekno branding on the chassis. The tyres are different on the steering and driven axles, and the wheels are highly detailed, although not all the wheels were properly grounded.
As usual the cab looks very smart in the Nooteboom red finish and the graphics are very sharp. There is a nice light bar on the roof and the front grille looks convincing. There are inset door handles. The cab interior is two-tone and looks good.
Under the cab is a detailed plastic engine. Behind the cab is a plastic tower and there are coiled lines.
At the rear the wheel arches are plastic.
The ballast trailer chassis is detailed with the axle sets nicely modelled. The fat tyres look good on the detailed wheels, and the hydraulic steering system is modelled. A stand out aspect of the detailing is the load floor with the aluminium beams represented really well, both top and bottom.
The deck edges have a yellow stripe, and there are highlighted tie-down loops and tiny graphics.
The ballast set is the standard set made by WSI, but in Nooteboom red. The counterweight tray is a nicely detailed part with metal handrails and the luffing winch is reeved out of the box. The counterweight blocks interlock well and have nice sharp graphics.
The spreader plates have well defined lifting points which can be used to pose the plates being lifted. The heavy hook block is high quality with metal pulleys .
Features
The Actros has good steering movement and poses realistically. The cab tilts and it can maintain a tilted pose.
The trailer axles have sprung suspension which is very good, and the many wheels mostly remain grounded particularly with a load on board.
The linked steering is also very good and works smoothly.
The landing legs can be lowered and are locked in position with pins.
The spare wheel holder opens, but the large hinge on the flap prevents the wheel being removed.
The trailer can be loaded with the ballast set.
Quality
This is a very well presented high quality model with a high metal content.
The paint finish is very good, and the graphics are sharp.
Price
It is reasonable value.
Overall
IMC has produced a detailed and very attractive looking model of this heavy ballast carrier. Although it would have been nice if deck stakes had also been included, it will look good paired with a suitable heavy crane, particularly if it is in crane company colours.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in May 2016.
|
| |
|  | | Booklet and parts. |  | | 'Tower behind the cab. |  | | Detailed chassis. |  | | Tilting cab. | |
|  | | On the road with the included ballast set. |  | | Running empty. |  | | Nice deck surface. |  | | Impressive with a load. |
|
