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| NZG historical
model box. |
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| The parts. |
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| Old timer body
shape. |
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|
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| Excellent track
wheels.
|
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| Rivets are
detailed on the roof. |
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| Jib head with
excellent spoked pulleys. |
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| Jib geometry is
very good. |
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| Gear wheel
modelled inside. |
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| Tipping the
bucket. |
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The Menck M 251 is one of the historical
series of models produced by NZG.
Packaging
The model is supplied in a cardboard box imprinted with
an artwork picture of the machine at work as is the usual
style for models in this series. Inside the box the
model is contained within a polystyrene box with a compartment
for the jib sections and other parts.
A coloured sheet shows the rigging instructions in a clear
diagrammatic way.
The review model was undamaged and
rigging presented no problems.
Detail
The undercarriage has metal sprocket wheels for each track
and the tracks themselves are metal and made of links which
are individually pinned together. There is excellent
detailing of rivets and cover plates on the underframe and
the turntable has deeply grooved teeth on the ring.
The body of the crane is a masterwork. Commencing
with the cab, there are lights and a first class metal ladder
up on to the roof. Inside the cab there are levers
and a seat, and an internal door separating the cab from
the engine compartment. Behind the cab is a sliding
door which gives access to one of the winch controls.
Looking inside, the floor has texture and aspects of the
machinery are modelled. Moving to the rear of the
crane, the counterweight has the lettering for 'Menck'
impressively cast in. Above this is another sliding
door and when this is opened the engine block can be seen
inside. There is another sliding door on the right
hand side and this provides access to two more winches.
Also visible is a large flywheel. Next to this sliding
door is an excellent handrail.
The roof of the body has excellent rivet detailing and a
couple of exhaust pipes both of which are actually pipes
rather than just solid castings. The pulleys on the
roof are metal.
The jib sections are beautifully made with excellent lattice
work. They are joined using the push pin system and
this works well on this model. The bottom section
of the jib contains a couple of larger metal spoked pulleys
for the dragline. Two intermediate jib sections are
supplied, and the top jib section contains superb detailing
with metal spoked pulleys and moving cable retainers on
the jib luffing pulleys. Also supplied are three metal
cable retaining loops for the main winch rope which are
fixed by pushing them into holes in the jib sections.
The dragline bucket continues the high standard of the model.
The bucket has draining holes and the chains and rigging
are all excellent. The winch ropes are intended to
be tied off directly onto the bucket rigging but on the
review model the ropes have been tied off onto jewellery
clasps which provide a quick-hitch facility to enable the
model to be switched between crane and dragline use easily.
Features
The crawler tracks work beautifully. The crane rotates
and the there are three working winch mechanisms.
One controls the jib luffing, one the main hoist and the
third is for the dragline. Each works very well and
is operated by means of the tool supplied by NZG for the
purpose.
The sliding doors on the body are excellent.
The model can be displayed in a variety of ways. It
would look fine on a suitable low loader or alternatively
can be rigged with a variety of jib lengths in either crane
or dragline formation.
Quality
This model is a class apart from most other models produced
in volume of this scale both in terms of detail and quality.
There is almost a complete absence of plastic, the only
exception being the internal parts within the body.
The paintwork is particularly rich and the lettering is
faultless.
Price
NZG have produced a model which is very good value for money.
Overall
The Menck M251 is a stunning model and sets an excellent
standard for 1:50 scale models of this type. The addition
of a suitable demolition ball would provide further display
options.
Footnotes
The model was introduced in 2000. At the 2004 Nuremberg
Toy Fair an 'aged' version of the 1:50 scale model
was announced with dilapidated paintwork. At the same
Toy Fair a 1:87 scale version was announced. The aged
version never appeared. The 1:50 scale version of
the model was absent from the 2005 NZG catalogue.
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| Profile view. |
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| Impressive old
machine. |
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| Old fashioned
cab. |
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| Underneath. |
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|
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| The jib foot. |
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| Dragline
bucket. |
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| Jib can be
fully lowered. |
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| Sliding door at
the back. |
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| Another sliding
door. |
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| Rigged with a
demolition ball (not included. |
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