 | | The Sword box style. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Excellent detail behind the cab. |  | | Opening cab door. |  | | With the roof off, you can see inside the sleeper accommodation. |  | | The East Flatbed Trailer. |  | | Opening tool boxes on both sides. This one contains tie-downs. |  | | It looks great with a boom load suitably tied down. |
| Freightliner Trucks is based in Portland, Oregon and is a division of Daimler Trucks of North America. It is a leading producer of trucks in the USA and this is a version of the Century tractor unit which is designed for long haul trucking and includes a sleeper cab. It is paired with a flatbed from East Trailers, which was founded in 1968 and is one of the larger trailer manufacturers in the US.
Packaging
The model is packed in a standard Sword Models box which just has the model name on it but no pictures or other information. Inside, the model is well packed within a couple of expanded polystyrene trays. The review model had no defects or missing parts.
Included in the box are some small bags of parts. These include the wing mirrors and bulkhead for the trailer. Also included is a set of tie-down chains and a set of straps for securing loads. No instructions are provided with the model although it is simple to assemble. Some information on the real machine would have been a worthwhile inclusion.
Detail
The Freightliner tractor is fully detailed underneath with the transmission and the underside of the engine clearly visible complete with very good suspension detail. The wheel hubs have detailed wheel nuts and they are mounted with good treaded tyres which have different treads on the front and rear wheels.
At the front the headlights and indicators have inset lenses and the radiator grille has ‘Freightliner’ written in very small type. The cab has windscreen wipers and collector-fitted wing mirrors which are metal. Outside the cab there are various step plates all with photo etched texture. Inside, the cab is very detailed indeed with a wood effect dashboard and small details such as drink holders clearly visible. Behind the driver’s seat there is a detailed sleeping area complete with cabinets and a bed.
Outside the cab at the back is a very detailed ‘headache rack’ including various tools and chains and realistic coiled air lines. A fifth wheel is provided, and detail at the rear is completed with painted light clusters and mud flaps.
The East Trailer has a detailed and authentic looking structure underneath. The axles have various lines running to them and there is a detailed suspension system. Realistic looking mud flaps and a couple of toolboxes complete the arrangements at the axles, and painted light clusters are provided at the rear.
A pair of detailed Holland support legs is provided which have tiny graphics and a turning handle. The bed of the trailer is cambered like the real thing although in the model world this camber does not flatten out when the trailer is loaded. The surface of the trailer bed has a realistic texture with inlaid wood effect plastic.
A set of twelve chains for securing loads is included, and also provided is a realistic set of tie-downs which can be used to make realistic poses with loads. The canvas strapping is replicated using rubber bands, and the clips enable the tie-downs to be secured to the trailer bed.
Features
The tractor unit has front wheels which steer although they are of the ‘notched’ variety so they naturally tend to sit at one angle when steered. With care any angle can be posed however and a good hard lock can be obtained without fouling the wheel arches. All axles are also fully sprung with working suspension.
There are many opening features. The hood and cab doors open, and the roof of the cab also lifts off to enable the interior of the cab to be seen and the shelf above the bed folds also. An amazing feature is the sprung seats and they give the model that big truck feel.
The fifth wheel has a working latch and is also adjustable lengthwise over the rear axles.
Turning to the East Trailer there is a fitted bulkhead which can be removed if required. The support legs are adjustable as they have hidden screw threads within. Two toolboxes are provided and they both have opening doors allowing the storage of chains or tie-downs inside. Another feature of the trailer is that the suspension on the rear axles works well.
Quality
This is a high quality model with very good detail and interesting features. The quality of the paintwork is very good, if not to the highest standard of more recent Sword models.
Price
It represents good value having regard for the quality of the model offered.
Overall
A flatbed truck has a place in any heavy haulage or crane collection as it can be posed with relevant equipment loads. This is a fine model of an American haulage vehicle and looks great when posed with other models. Overall it is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model was released in December 2006 and a number of versions have been produced:
Model 2018 was the truck only which appeared in red, white and grey versions
Model 2059 included a Shuttlelift (see TWH 028) with the truck Colours: Red, with Shuttlelift - 500 models; White, with Shuttlelift - 500.
Badged:
Anthony, with Shuttlelift 500; GL Power equip, with Shuttlelift - 500
Model 2062 included various Manitowoc boom sections with the truck Colours: Red, with boom section - 500; Grey, with boom section - 500
Badged:
ATS, with boom section - 1000 (3 versions with different boom sections)
Model 3002 in Schneider colours as a run of 1000 models available as a truck alone or with a snowplough load |
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|  | | The model in the tray. |  | | Sleek lines of the tractor unit. |  | | Chassis is detailed too. |  | | Hood tilts right over. |  | | Detail around the driving position - complete with cup holders! |  | | Lots of detail underneath, with plenty of hoses around the axles. |  | | Tiny scaled tie-downs. |  | | At the job site ready to be unloaded by a Manitowoc 16000. |
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