 | | Tekno box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Plenty of trailer parts. |  | | Rear mud flap is rubber. |  | | Excellent graphics. |  | | Engine detail is very good. |  | | Complex steering mechanism. |  | | Width extensions added. |  | | Ramps up on to the rear bogie. |  | | Extendible deck with the model at the maximum length. |  | | The short deck section removed. |  | | Loaded with a Doosan Moxy MT31. |
| Brouwer is a Dutch haulage company that started in 1938. It runs a number of heavy haulage vehicles from a base at Utrechthaven.
This model is of an historic 8x4 Scania 143e 500 tractor which was one of the 3 Series introduced by Scania in the late 1980s. It is paired with a Goldhofer 3-axle low loader.
Packaging
The model comes in a standard Tekno branded box and although it has a window the truck is not visible as it is covered with foam rubber. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
There are a large number of parts to fit to the Scania and these add detail. Many of them are very small and no spares are supplied so care is needed not to lose any. Also they do not fit securely into the tractor so either glue or plastic putty is needed to hold them in place. The trailer also comes with a number parts most of which allow different posing possibilities.
A single sheet of instructions is provided but this only covers a few aspects of the trailer.
There is no information about the real vehicle or Brouwer.
Detail
The Scania is a very detailed model. Underneath the chassis is modelled well with a particularly good looking transmission. However the steering mechanism is modelled in a purely functional way. The wheel hubs are finely detailed with different tyre treads on the steering and driven axles.
Detailing around the cab is excellent with many tiny lights added. The main spotlights on the roof and bullbar are jewelled. Decoration is precise with many small high quality graphics that look realistic. The door mirrors are colour coded and detailed. Other pleasing details include textured steps, grab rails, and a number plate which includes 'NL' in tiny writing. Under the cab is a well detailed V8 engine that is made of a number of components and includes the gear lever. The back of the cab has excellent casting detail.
Behind the cab, the exhaust has a perforated muffler and there are coiled air lines and lights behind the equipment box. The chassis and wheel arches have textured anti-slip surfaces. At the rear the lights are painted but look good and the mud flap is rubber and bears the Scania name.
The trailer gooseneck is mainly a metal part with some good graphics applied. There is a spare wheel attached to the front headboard and the rear cover is plastic. A pair of plastic width markers can be fitted.
The deck sections are very thin with metal supports for the width extension timbers which are plastic and patterned to look like wood. Some black metal wires add detail to the deck edges although they clash with the fold-out supports and there is not an obvious connection point at the rear bogie. The deck inserts are plastic and look good. Two pairs of plastic ramps are supplied to enable loading of the deck or bogie top.
The rear bogie is metal with much of the axle arrangement in plastic but with a good colour match. Tiny silvered non-functioning tie-down loops are modelled, and width marker boards can be fitted. At the rear the lights are painted in a simple manner and there is a painted orange beacon light which is not as realistic as those on the Scania.
Features
The Scania steering is linked with a small range of movement.
The cab tilts to give access to the engine, and can remain in a tilted position. The bullbar needs to be removed to enable the cab to tilt properly.
The rear bogie of the Goldhofer has steering rear axles and can be set to show proportional steering. The trailer gooseneck has a pair of cylinders allowing the angle of the deck connection to be adjusted.
The main deck section is extendible providing a variety of configurations and the smaller deck section can be fitted or left out. At maximum length the vehicle is around 60cm long. Along the sides of the deck sections the supports for the deck width extension planks can be folded out and they are stiff so they do not flap about. Plastic planks can be added to extend the width.
Various parts can be added or left off depending on display preferences and these include the width marker boards and ramps.
Quality
This is a high quality model with the paintwork and graphics on the Scania being particularly good. Plastic is used effectively and does not detract from the look of the model.
Price
The model is relatively pricey but this reflects the high quality.
Overall
Tekno has produced a highly detailed model, and the Scania is particularly impressive in this respect as long as you do not mind fitting lots of small pieces to the model. The trailer is made well and offers good functionality. It earns an outstanding rating.
Footnotes
The model was introduced in 2011.
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|  | | Foam rubber packaging. |  | | The model. |  | | Many small parts to fit to the Scania. |  | | Excellent details on the cab. |  | | Steering modelling is functional, but transmission is very good. |  | | Anti-slip surfaces behind the cab. |  | | Steering shown at the maximum angle. |  | | Gooseneck has a tiny 'Goldhofer' badge. |  | | Beacon light and rear light arrays are a little crude. |  | | Configured with a short deck and width extensions. |  | | Not really retro enough but a Dynapac paver is on board. |  | | Loading a dump truck. |  | | A very smart looking truck. |
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