 |
| The Oshkosh
branded box.
|
 |
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| The colour
scheme is great. |
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| The standard of
modelling on the underside is really high. |
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| Very nice
wheels and tyres. |
 |
| Looks tough, is
tough. |
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| Underneath the
trailer. |
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| Excellent
detail on the trailer deck. |
 |
| Opening
cupboard. Wheel chocks are provided. |
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| The HET and
Trailer. |
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| Rear of the
trailer.
|
|
The Oshkosh HET (Heavy Equipment
Transporter) M1070 and M1000 Trailer is designed for
moving military hardware and specifically the 70 ton M1
Abrams tank, in arduous conditions. The HET has
accommodation for 6 people and is an 8x8 tractor.
The review model is in a camouflage colour scheme.
Packaging
The model comes in an Oshkosh branded box which has
technical information about the vehicle printed on the
outside. Inside, the model is packed within expanded
polystyrene trays and wrapped in polythene. The review model had no defects
or missing parts.
There are no instructions supplied with the model and
there is no assembly to speak of, with just a few small
parts that are decorative. A key for operating the
winches and a pointer for opening doors and flaps are
included.
Detail
The chassis of the HET is excellent with nearly all the
components made of metal. The transmission and
suspension is first rate and there is a mass of cabling
throughout which looks very realistic. Heavily
treaded tyres are mounted on impressive metal hubs.
The cab is finely detailed with individual rivets
detailed throughout and there are some very small signs
and notices. Interior detail is very good with
signs and other items such as the aircon on the ceiling
modelled.
Behind the cab the winch area is very authentic looking
with mesh screens, controls and coiled air lines.
At the rear there are rubber mud flaps and a pintle
hitch.
The trailer standard is just as good as the HET.
The gooseneck has metal handrails and winch for the
spare wheels, and hydraulic lines to the cylinders.
Underneath the trailer the steering linkages are metal
and again there is a mass of detail including lines to
each axle. Support legs with locking pins and
chains are provided on each corner.
The trailer deck is excellent too with finely modelled
tie down points and loops. A floating winch pulley
sits at the back. The metal ramps have a good
structure and small grab rails.
Features
The front and rear axles of the HET steer in a notched
manner, but the range of movement is good and realistic
poses can be produced. There is also working
suspension on all axles, which is particularly good on
the rear three axles.
The door mirrors can be folded in, and the cab doors
open with the hinge mechanism on the doors not spoiling
the appearance of the model at all on the outside.
The engine hood can also tilt forward to reveal a
detailed engine.
Behind the cab, the three winches can be operated using
the supplied key. Separate pins are supplied which
can be used to pin the shackles into a storage position.
The trailer has fully working suspension on each wheel
set, and the axles also steer proportionally although
the mechanism is very stiff. Each support leg can
be lowered and pinned into position.
The gooseneck has working cylinders which can adjust the
gooseneck angle. The loading ramps are spring
loaded and can be lowered and popped back to upright.
There are two opening storage compartments, one on
either side of the front of the trailer.
Quality
This is a very high quality model from Sword which is
almost entirely metal. The camouflage paintwork is
beautiful and there are some tiny graphics around the
cab.
Price
The price of the model reflects the high quality
standard and will be good value if production runs are
limited.
Overall
This is an excellent model of a military special
transport vehicle. Both the detailing and the
manufacture are excellent, and the colour scheme looks
great. This is an outstanding model for anyone
with an interest in this kind of vehicle.
Footnotes
The model was originally announced as a TWH model and
was then taken over by Sword. It appeared in 2010.
Three colour variations were made: camouflage, tan, and
black and green.
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|
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|
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| The model in the
tray. |
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| The parts
out of the box. |
 |
| Excellent
details in the winch area. |
 |
| Opening engine
hood. |
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| Detailed
interior with warning notices on the inside of the door. |
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| Support legs
and plenty of air lines. |
 |
| Opening stair
detail. |
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| Loading ramps
folded down. |
 |
| A folding
ladder and shackles are included. |
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| Heavy special
transport. |
|
