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MAN TGS 8x4 + Meiller Tipper - Merz

Maker:  NZG
Model No:  776/01
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  May 2012


NZG Index
Truck Index

Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)7
Detail   (max 30)21
Features   (max 20)13
Quality   (max 25)20
Price   (max 15)11
Overall   (max 100)72%

Footnotes


MAN TGS 8x4 + Meiller Tipper - Merz Video
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NZG windowed box.
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Smart wheel hubs.
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Good rear detail including number plates.
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Side opening mechanism is represented within the casting.
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Chassis detail is good and there are reflectors on the wheel arches.
Realistic looking truck.  On rear tyre is not grounded properly but this is barely visible in practice.
Tailgate opens.
Looks great with a load on board.
This model has a Meiller tipper body mounted on MAN TGS 8x4 chassis.  It is in the colours of Merz, a haulage company in the Bayern region of Germany.

Packaging

The model comes in an NZG branded box with a window.  There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.

There is no information about the real machine, and as the model is complete out of the box, there are no instructions provided.

Detail

This is a heavy model with a relatively low plastic content.  Underneath, the chassis is detailed mostly in metal with only the steering linkages being purely functional as a modelling compromise.  The tyres have a good tread and appear to be the same on all wheels, and the wheels are detailed.

The cab is of a high standard with aerials, beacon lights and horns on the roof.  The access steps are textured, there is a number plate and the lights have plastic lenses.  The door handles are realistic inserts and the MAN type number is on the doors: TGS 35.410.

Behind the cab the exhaust, air intake and fuel tank is rendered well.  The wheel arches are metal throughout and some tiny paint dots represent reflectors.  At the back the light bar has nice plastic lenses, a number plate and there is a usable towing hitch.

The tipper body is all metal with good decoration.  The real tipper has a three-way tipping functionality and the mechanism for sideways tipping is detailed but is non-functional.

Features

The truck rolls well and the front two axles have linked steering which can be posed to a very good angle on the review model.

The tipper can be raised and reaches an angle of around 50°before it clashes with the towing hitch. 

The tailgate opens and snaps shut in the closed position, but it is not free-swinging.

Quality

This model is good quality and mostly metal, with good paintwork and graphics which are faithful to the real truck.

Price

It is good value.

Overall

This tipper truck is solidly made and although the sideways tipping mechanisms are detailed well, it would have been even better if they had been functional.  It is a recommended tipper truck model.

Footnotes

The MAN model in this livery first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2011 and was produced in a limited run of 300 models. 
 
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Excellent steering angle.
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Profile view.
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Smart cab decoration.  Side opening mechanism is detailed but non-functional.
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Good chassis detail.
Number plate and towing hitch.
Tipping angle is reasonable.
On the road.
Detail behind the cab and painted water cap.
Being loaded by a Liebherr 916.