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Mack Granite Flatbed Truck

Maker:  Sword
Model No:  2102
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  August 2011


Sword Index
Commercial Truck Index

Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)8
Detail   (max 30)27
Features   (max 20)17
Quality   (max 25)22
Price   (max 15)9
Overall   (max 100)83%

Footnotes


Mack Granite Flatbed Truck Video
The Sword style box.
Configured as a flatbed.
Smart Mack front end.
Cones stored under the flatbed.
Tilting hood.
Opening door, with a fire extinguisher beside the seat.
Accessories - cones, shovel and wheel chock.
Tilt angle is very good.
Beams strapped down on the flatbed.
This is a model of the Mack Granite Flatbed Truck with additional Titan Tipper side panels and tailgate.  There is no information provided about the real truck and the review version is in a red colour scheme.

Packaging

The model is very well packed with a plain cardboard outer box enclosing the Sword branded box wrapped in tissue.  Inside, the model is held within polystyrene trays.  The review model had no defects or missing parts.

The only parts to fit are the door mirrors and tipper side panels and although there are no instructions it is easy to do.  Some accessories are included and It is good to see that some spare door mirrors and a pointer tool are also provided.

Detail

The truck chassis is very detailed underneath with the suspension and transmission parts modelled in metal.  There are excellent brake lines to each of the wheels.  The wheels have very good metal hubs with finely treaded tyres which have a different width on the front and rear axles.

The Mack Granite radiator looks great with a Bulldog mascot mounted on the hood.  The headlights have plastic lenses.  Under the hood the engine is detailed and made of a number of components.

The cab detail is excellent with air horns and lights on the roof.  The door mirrors are improved from previous Sword Mack models with a fine wire structure which is stronger too.  Inside, the seats and instruments are very good and there is a fire extinguisher also.  The seats have a Mack logo printed on the back. 

Behind the cab, the exhaust stacks are excellent, and the chassis has some large equipment holders and very fine quality diamond plate surfacing between the rear wheels.

The flatbed has a well formed surface with red and white striping along the side edges.  At the front the headboard has superb fine mesh inserts.  At the rear the lights look good and the mud flaps are flexible rubber.  The optional tipper panels are a one-piece item with only the rivet holding the tailgate looking a little large.

Some accessories are included with the model.  Three different length sets of three rubber tie-down straps allow loads to be secured.  Four small cones with detailed graphics are provided as well as two rubber wheel chocks and two nice metal hand shovels.

Features

The front wheels on the tractor steer, with a good range of movement which only fouls at the extremities.  The steering is notched rather than smooth.  All axles have working suspension.

The hood opens forward completely and the cab doors can also be opened.  The seats have a degree of 'spring'.

The flatbed deck can be tilted to a good angle and can be held at any pose.

The tipper side panels can be clipped into place and the tailgate opens or can be clipped in the closed position.

The towing hitch at the rear can be opened and closed.

Quality

This is a high quality model with particularly fine mesh work.  The plastic content is very low.

Price

The model is priced to reflect the high quality.

Overall

Sword have produced another model in keeping with their high quality standards.  It is well presented, and the accessories and features of the model provide plenty of flexibility which do enough for the model to be considered outstanding.

Footnotes

The model was much delayed from its initial announcement and finally appeared in July 2011.  It was also produced in yellow, black and white.

 
The parts in the box.
Door mirrors have very fine gauge supports.
Chassis detail is really good.
Detailed engine.
Excellent mesh screens.
Tailgate opens.
A Potain MDT 178 tower section as a load.
Good detail at the rear.