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| 'Luxury'
presentation box. |
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| In the box.
|
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| 'Hi Def'
detailing. |
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| The 'doofing'
mechanism |
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| Is it a hook or
an umbrella? You decide. |
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| Alternate hook
design hangs sadly. |
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The first pre-production sample of the
Plonker "Tower Crane" appeared in 2009 and was reviewed
here. Since then
it has undergone a lengthy development period and this
production version was shown on the Plonker stand at the
2013 Nuremberg Toy Fair.
It has been confirmed that the model is in fact of a new
tower crane design which will make its first debut at
the 2013 BAUMA Exhibition in Munich.
Packaging
The model comes in what is described as a luxury
presentation box. They can call it what they like
but it is just a plain box which is too ashamed to
describe the contents. Inside, the parts are
protected by foam but there is nothing to protect the
collector from the anger they will feel when they see
what they have bought.
The review model had no missing
parts but the whole thing seems to be one massive
defect.
An instruction sheet is provided but omits the required
disposal information.
Detail
The production version has been enhanced with 'Detail
Packs' which are designed by some idiot to improve the
look of the crane.
A base section has intricate track art work and bogie
wheels from a detail pack can be added to the base to
provide a very convincing display of poor model
engineering.
The mast and jib sections appear to be the same quality
as the pre-production sample so the four years of
extended development has achieved zilch. Rough
painted yellow lines are supposed to denote lattice
work, but in truth they denote some kind of serious
illness in the mind of the person producing it.
Another detail pack has a laughing jackass of an
operator sitting in what is supposed to be the cab.
The pre-production sample had a remarkable 'hook block'.
In fact it is now clear that this was not a hook at all
as the model now includes a detail pack with different
hooks which can be stuck on to the block. The
effect is an amazing piece of modelling detail which
will certainly cause deep depression in the collector.
Features
The instruction sheet describes the features.
It can 'circle' although how it does this when there is
no slewing ring modelled is a mystery.
It 'lifts heavy loads' using a bizarre tilting motion.
As with the pre-production version
It features an opening flap in the side of the mast.
According to the instructions this has something to do
with 'Doof to make higher'. One can only feel
sorrow and pity.
Quality
The model achieves a consistent quality standard on a
par with the earlier sample. Lamentable.
Price
Pricing information was unavailable at the time of the
review but it is expected to reflect the detail and
quality of the model. as well as the increase in the
cost of raw materials since 2009.
Overall
Plonker has spent four years improving its
pre-production sample and the result is clear. It
is absolute crap.
Footnotes
This review of the
pre-production sample was published as a 'worldwide
exclusive' on April 1st 2009. The model is expected to
be released at BAUMA 2013 and distribution arrangements
via dealers are being negotiated.
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|
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| The much
improved Plonker Tower Crane. |
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| How would you
feel if you just paid good money for this? |
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| Comprehensive
instructions. |
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| This must be a
self portrait of the nut case that runs the Plonker
company.
|
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| Posed in
collapsed mode. |
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| Just imagine
telling your friends you bought it. |
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