 | | Grove picture sleeve covers the box. |  |  | | Two winch drums are provided, but only one hook. |  | | Weights of each counterweight slab are marked on. |  | | A good looking model. |
| The Grove GMK 3055 is one of the first models to emerge from TWH.
Packaging
The model is packaged in a high quality picture box which contains a two piece polystyrene tray. Included is a Product Guide in English giving plenty of information about the real machine including a couple of magazine reprints, specifications, dimensions and lifting charts and this represents a good step forward for other model makers to follow. Strangely the front cover contents list indicates 20 pages when the booklet is only 12 pages. There are no instructions for the model itself which is a pity as a guide as to how the fly jib should be mounted would be useful. The review model was undamaged.
Detail
First impressions of the model are good. The tyres are mounted on plastic hubs but they are painted so they look as good as metal. Underneath the carrier, the engine and prop shafts are modelled.
At the front the lights are modelled in the bodywork with tiny plastic lenses. A wire loop is provided for attaching the hook when the crane is in transport mode - a good detail. The windscreen wipers are part of the windscreen but painted black and hence look effective and 'Grove' is printed on to add to the look. The mirrors on the doors are provided separately and have to be fitted, and they are some of the best mirrors seen on a model of this scale with very thin support frames. The top of the cab is completed with a beacon light. Inside the cab has some simple detail.
The rest of the carrier has metal outriggers, a good exhaust stack and compressor (both plastic) and at the rear a spare wheel is fitted and the lights are painted on. The crane body itself is well detailed with the operator's cab having a grab rail as thin as you are likely to see on a model of this scale. Close inspection reveals that the cab is in fact fully plastic which comes as a surprise because the colour is such a convincing match to the rest of the model.
At the rear the counterweight appears a solid piece, permanently fixed. In fact the bottom three plates can be removed using a screwdriver underneath the counterweight. These plates are three separate castings and it is a pity that the carrier does not have some locating pins behind the cab for placing the plates during transport. Casting details on the counterweight are excellent including having the Grove name embossed at the rear. The tops of the boxes on either side of the crane are also plastic but again the colour match is excellent.
The boom comprises a six section telescope and detail on the lowest boom section is good with plastic cable spools fixed on each side. The smaller one even has rope wound on it but as the spool does not turn it cannot issue out cable as the boom is extended. At the boom head plastic pulleys are provided and unfortunately these are one piece parts so the pulleys cannot move independently.
The hook is metal and very good. A two-piece metal fly jib is provided which pins together and to the boom head. It also includes a hydraulic cylinder to replicate the luffing ability of the real fly jib.
Features
Each axle of the carrier steers independently although both front and rear axles cannot obtain a hard lock because the tyres foul the body.
The outriggers are fully operational. A first for a model of this type (i.e. dedicated carrier rather than a crane mounted on a standard chassis truck) is the tipping cab which reveals a detailed plastic engine block.
Turning to the crane, the operator's cab tilts and the usual crane functions of slewing, raising the boom and extending the boom all work. Two winches are provided which are operated by turning the toothed drums with a finger. The lattice fly jib stows on the side of the boom during transport although it was fiddly on the review model to get it in a stable and appropriate position. It can be attached to the boom head and folded out for maximum under hook height.
Quality
The model looks very good with some fine details but this achieved in part by the use of plastic to a higher degree than in other models. Having said that the plastic parts generally do not look cheap and blend in very well with the metal parts. The paintwork is a very high standard and the lettering is also very good with a highlight being the weight of each part of the counterweight being marked.
Price
The model is priced above similar sized models from other manufacturers and comparatively perhaps the difference is not justified by better quality.
Overall
This model is a very good effort considering this is one of the first to be produced by TWH with some worthwhile innovations in terms of the provision of the Product Guide, and some of the detailing. The use of plastic for some more parts than usual has been done well. Most collectors would probably prefer die cast metal and may be left wondering whether over extended periods of time the effects of light will begin to produce colour differences between plastic and metal parts.
With that said, the model can be posed many ways and deserves a place in a model crane collection.
Footnotes
It first appeared in 2004 and was displayed at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2005. It has been produced in a variety of different liveries. An 'All Crane' variant, and through NZG licences Scholpp, Laukant and Markewitsch versions have appeared. It has also been made in green, dark green, blue and white colours. In January 2006 a blue version 'Quality Crane' was introduced. Further versions were introduced in early 2006: 'All Crane', 'Maxim' and 'Amquip' appeared in yellow and white colours. In January 2007 a limited edition of 100 models in the UK 'Dewsbury and Proud' livery (white) appeared. In March 2007 a limited edition version in Mammoet colours was introduced with a run of 1000 models. In 2008 the original version was updated. Production quantities for some of the liveries of the original version are: Scholpp - 150; Laukant - 150; Markewitsch - 150; green - 150; blue - 150; white - 150; Quality Crane - 100; Grove yellow - 1150; Dewsbury and Proud - 100; Mammoet - 1000; Blansjaar - 150; Midlands UK - 100; Terranova - 100.
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|  | | The manual is really an information brochure on the real machine. |  | | Fine details on the wing mirror and a loop for attaching the hook when travelling. |  | | Ready for action. |  | | 'The fly jib's on the floor....' |  | | Good detail underneath - prop shafts and transmission. |
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