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Mercedes-Benz Actros GigaSpace - Blue

Maker:  NZG
Model No:  952/25
Scale:  1:18
Review Date:  January 2017


NZG Index
Commercial Truck Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)8
Detail   (max 30)27
Features   (max 20)18
Quality   (max 25)22
Price   (max 15)11
Overall   (max 100)86%

Footnotes


Mercedes-Benz Actros GigaSpace - Blue video.   [Youku Video]
NZG branded box.
Very impressive in 1:18 scale.
Detailed chassis.
 
Detailed engine block.
Realistic back end.
High standard of detailing.
Cab detailing is convincing.
Mercedes-Benz logo can be illuminated.
Decent steering angle.
It towers over a 1:50 scale model.


This model is a Mercedes-Benz Actros 4x2 GigaSpace.

It is in the unusual scale of 1:18.

Packaging

The model comes in an NZG branded outer box, and inside the model is contained within large expanded polystyrene trays.

The review model had no defects.   Out of the box it had a missing part which was quickly supplied by NZG.

The model has some electronics so there is a battery to fit, and instructions are provided.  A nice touch is that a pair of cotton gloves are supplied for handling the model.  There is no information about the real Actros.

Detail

This is a very large and heavy model.

It is very detailed underneath, with lots of metal used.  Highlights are the engine block, and the hoses and cables on the rear axle.  The wheels are convincing. The tyres are the same on both axles and this is perhaps the only disappointment in the detailing, and it would have been appropriate to have the tyre branding in the sidewalls. 

The GigaSpace cab takes full advantage of the larger scale.  It is metal and the finish is beautiful.  The grille at the front is finely reproduced and the lights are high quality, and there is a generic NZG number plate.  Overall the paint job is excellent with sharp graphics.  Air horns, wipers and mirrors are included and the door handles are convincing. 

Inside the cab the detail is very good and the large size of the model enables it to be appreciated. 

Behind the cab there are coiled lines, and the various metal tanks are realistic with colour coded filler caps.  The rear lights have plastic lenses and there are wheel chocks.  The wheel arches are plastic which is appropriate regarding the real truck.

Under the cab is a very detailed engine.

A spare pair of wheels chocks is supplied with the model, and these can be used to stop the model rolling.

Features

The Actros rolls well in a straight line.  It has a decent steering angle and it can roll in a curve with some snatching of the rear tyres probably only due to the lack of a working differential!  When steering, the steering wheel in the cab also turns a little.

The rear axle has a stiff working suspension, and there is partial suspension on the front axle.

The fifth wheel has a working latch.  The ends of the coiled lines are hung on hangers and can be detached.

The front of the cab has a section which can be raised up and posed in the open position.

The cab tilts to a good angle and it reveals the very detailed engine.

The cab doors open widely and have a spring mechanism to keep them tightly shut.

The arm rests of the seats can be raised up. 

The model has electronics fitted and these control LED lighting in the Mercedes-Benz logo and the cab.  The three position switch is located inside the cab, and the lighting is blue which gives the model an impressive appearance in low light.

Quality

NZG has produced a high quality model that is very heavy which, despite the large scale, is almost entirely in metal.

The paintwork and graphics are very good.

Price

The model is good value given its large size.

Overall

NZG has produced a very impressive model in the scale of 1:18.  Not only is it physically large, but it is heavy at around 4 kg because of the high metal content.  The detailing is really good and the finish of the model is excellent, with the blue lighting adding an interesting feature to the long list of other features.

Footnotes

The model first appeared at the end of 2016.

 
Profile view.
Manual and accessory bag.
Very realistic.
 
Hoses and cables.
Coiled lines hooked on holders. Very nice tanks.
Opening front with detail underneath.
Engine is very detailed also.
Both the logo and cab interior can be illuminated.
Excellent large model.