 | | The Sword box style. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Air lines and 'fifth wheel'. |  | | Opening door to the detailed cab. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Shovel and tarpaulin storage box. |  | | Tarpaulin being closed. |  | | Impressive when tipping. |  | | Opening the tailgate as a door. |
| This is a model of the Peterbilt 357 day cab with an East dump trailer. Peterbilt was founded in 1938 and is a famous producer of American trucks. The East Company of Ohio manufactures a range of bodies and trailers for trucks and most of its dump trailers are made of aluminium.
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 was undamaged.
Included in the box are some small bags of parts to fit, including the wing mirrors and air horns, and some replica timber edging pieces for the trailer.
Detail
The tractor chassis is very detailed although the light cluster at the rear is basic. The two driving axles are complete with prop shafts and differentials and replicated suspension details. The rear wheels have very good metal hubs with finely treaded tyres, and there are rubber mud flaps bearing the Peterbilt logo. Towards the front the underside of the engine is visible and the exhaust pipe trails out to the side of the body and the front wheels are on different metal hubs to those on the rear wheels. The moulding on some of the tyres was not quite perfect with lipping on one edge although this is not apparent in most poses.
The imposing front of the Peterbilt is modelled very well with a superb finely etched radiator grille. The bumper is metal and the headlight clusters have lenses incorporated for both headlamps and indicators. Both on the top of the radiator and on the sides of the bonnet (hood) there are tiny Peterbilt badges which are perfectly legible. The wheel arches have an excellent rubber lining which become mud flaps behind the wheels. Under the bonnet is a detailed engine, with a separate radiator, and there are various pipes and hoses.
The cab detail is all of an excellent standard. On each side fuel tanks with very fine graphics are modelled and are integral with the cab steps which have nicely patterned treads. The exhaust stack has a grab handle and it is good to see an exhaust pipe that has a hole and looks like a pipe. There is lots of chrome work around the top of the cab with very good metal wing mirrors, lights and air horns. The model makers have chosen to leave the main windows out of the cab doors presumably to replicate the truck appearing 'in use' but it would probably look a little better with the windows in. Inside, the cab is also detailed with the steering column having a tiny stalk below the wheel.
Behind the cab, the detail continues with three coiled airlines for connection to a trailer.
The East dump trailer is very detailed. The structure of the chassis is modelled very well with electrical lines running the length of the trailer. The two rear axles have metal hubs and good treaded tyres. A particularly fine detail is the brake fluid tanks and the lines running to each wheel. A further hydraulic line is provided for connection to a pump on a tractor unit.
Turning to the trailer body, at the front there are step irons and a shovel together with tiny warning notices. Above this, a Flip Tarp system from Mountain Tarp is modelled – more on this later. The body is replicated well with strong casting detail of the structure and on the underside there is more electrical wiring and the hydraulic cylinder which lifts the body is a metal multi stage piston.
At the rear, the tailgate has small locking latches and a chain, with a mechanism for opening a small shutter. Mud flaps with the East logo complete the rear. Replica timber edging is provided to both edges of the body, and these are removable.
Also modelled is the mechanical tarpaulin system which includes a realistic piece of material and weights and chains as part of the operating mechanism.
Features
The front wheels on the tractor steer, but the steering is 'notched' rather than variable so the wheels can only be posed in one position when pointing left or right. Also the steering fouls the wheel arch very slightly so that the model does not roll smoothly when turning.
The hood opens in a very easy action and the cab doors can be opened too. The ‘fifth wheel’ on the tractor works and is operated with a spring loaded lever to secure a trailer in position.
The tipper mechanism is very smooth and can hold the body up at any desired angle. The tailgate has two modes of opening. It can open as a conventional tipper tailgate or, by switching a pin, it can swing open sideways like a door. Included within the tailgate is a working small shutter which can be opened and closed. To support the trailer when not attached to the tractor two feet can be screwed down.
The tarpaulin mechanism works well too. It can be opened to cover a load and retracted by turning a thumbwheel on the side of the tarpaulin storage box and is a very pleasing feature.
Quality
This is a precision scale model with a very high level of detail and there is almost a complete absence of plastic. All the working parts are smooth and operate well. The paintwork and graphics are all to a high standard.
Price
The model is relatively pricey compared to the majority of other 1:50 scale model trucks but this reflects the quality of the product offered by Sword Models.
Overall
This model does not disappoint in terms of the level of detail and functionality offered and this is typical of the Sword models range. There is little to complain about and any collector of this kind of vehicle will be pleased to own the model. Interesting poses can be obtained by pairing the model with others and overall it is a high quality model.
Footnotes
The model was released in 2007 and the following versions were produced: Colours: Red - 500; White - 500; Grey - 500.
Badged: Rick Kuntz 250; Owen Trucking - 250.
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|  | | The model in the tray. |  | | Tractor unit looking mean. |  | | Underneath, there is plenty of detail. |  | | Opening hood and engine. |  | | Very strong lines of the trailer body. |  | | Detail underneath the model is very good. |  | | Ready for the road. |  | | Tailgate opening normally. |  | | You can pose your own demolition site. Here the Peterbilt is with the Case CX800 and Case 1488 LC. |
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