 | | Drake branded box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Air lines to the trailer. |  | | Opening door lets you into the detailed interior. |  | | Underneath the dolly. |  | | Spare wheels have locking bolts and chains. |  | | Underneath the trailer. |  | | The full rig in narrow formation. |  | | The swingwing trailer and dolly opened up. |  | | Loading a Vermeer T1255 Terrain Leveler. |  | | Very small graphics are legible. |  | | Imposing heavy haulage. |
| Drake Trailers is an Australian company which was founded in the early 1960s. Located in Brisbane, it manufactures trailers for heavy haulage and their range includes mine trailers also.
The swingwing trailer was first introduced in 1969 and is available in load carrying capacities up to 120 tonnes, and depending on the version the width can be expanded to 4.6m.
The review model is a 4x8 swingwing trailer with a 2x8 dolly in Doolans colours. Doolans is a part of the Silk Logistics Group, and provides heavy haulage services throughout Australia.
Packaging
The model comes in a Drake branded box and is contained within a polystyrene tray, with the parts protected by polythene. There were no defects on the review model although the brochures and some small parts were missing, but these were supplied separately by TWH.
Three brochures are supplied. Two include information and photos of the real trailer and the Kenworth T908 and they are a nice inclusion. The third describes the features of the dolly and trailer although it does not indicate how the separate parts should be fitted. This is fairly straightforward though with the only thing to watch out for is the fitting of the spare wheels as they are each individual and have a specific place. Each one is thoughtfully marked with its correct position on the dolly or trailer.
Detail
The Kenworth T908 Prime Mover is a 6x4 long distance tractor with a sleepover cab. The chassis is very detailed underneath with an excellent representation of the transmission and suspension. The tyres have a tread pattern which is different on the front and rear axles, but the patterns are not so good.
The cab details are great with a bullbar at the front and first class chrome work all round, and really small and legible graphics. There are excellent rubber mud flaps behind the wheels. Under the hood is a detailed engine, with a separate radiator, and there are various pipes and hoses modelled. Inside, the cab is very pleasing and even the sleeper portion is detailed with furniture, although it is hard to see.
Behind the cab, the detail continues with three coiled lines for connection to the trailer and excellent non slip walking surfaces.
The dolly continues the high detail with plenty of air lines running to the wheels and for the trailer connection. The structure is authentically represented with more very small graphics which really add to the overall look of the model. A plastic auxiliary fuel tank attaches to the gooseneck and four spare wheels also clip on. Each of these has a chain and separate locking bolt.
The swingwing trailer is almost all metal and the structure and deck are very realistic with yet more tiny graphics. There are air and hydraulic lines throughout and the hydraulic pump is modelled too. The swingwing mechanism uses friction rivets at the pivot points and these are unobtrusive and improve the look of the model. At the rear the ramps are held vertical by chains.
Features
The front wheels on the Kenworth steer, but the steering is 'notched' rather than variable so the wheels can only be posed in one position when pointing left or right. The bullbar folds forward and the hood opens in a very easy action. The cab doors can be opened and inside the seats have an air ride action and can be moved up and down.
The ‘fifth wheel’ on the tractor works and is operated with a spring loaded lever to secure a trailer in position. It can also be adjusted longitudinally.
The dolly has removable spare wheels and the locking bars can also be detached. The kingpin can be set in one of two positions and has an oscillating skid plate. There are two support legs and each can be lowered and locked by using a removable pin.
Both sets of wheels can be slid out to widen the dolly and the axles float and twist.
The kingpin on the trailer can be set in one of three positions by using a screwdriver. The spare wheels can be removed and the locking bars can also be detached.
Each of the wheel axles has working suspension with a significant range of movement, and at the rear the ramps can be lowered. There are three support legs, two at the front and one at the centre, and they can be lowered and pinned into position.
The swingwing mechanism works smoothly. It opens up in a number of widths and can be pinned into position.
Quality
TWH have produced a high quality model with plastic used to a limited extent, but appropriately. The paint work is nice and the graphics are excellent with some of the smallest detailed graphics seen to date.
Price
As usual for a TWH model it is relatively pricey but a very high quality model is provided in return.
Overall
The first run of this model sold out rapidly and it is easy to appreciate why. It is an excellent model and it is great to see a model of a trailer from a non-US / European manufacturer. The features of the model complement the high detail. It is outstanding.
Footnotes
Each part of the model has a separate TWH model number: 110 is the dolly, 111 is the trailer and 113 is the Kenworth T908. The first run of the complete model in 2010 was as follows: White 250; White/post office red 250; Drake Trailer 250; N.Q. Heavy Haulage 250; McAleese Transport 250; Vintage burgundy 250; Chrome yellow/machine yellow 250; Gunmetal grey 250.
The Kenworth T908 was also made separately as follows: White/post office red 250; Vintage burgundy 250; Gunmetal grey 200; Mercury silver 250.
In 2011 a new run of complete models was produced: White 450; White/post office red 450; Drake Trailers 450; Vintage burgundy 450; Gunmetal grey 450; Tenkate Plant Hire & Bulk Haulage 550; Doolan’s Heavy Haulage 600. A version in Lampson blue was also produced in a run of 150. |
| |
|  | | The model sits in the tray. |  | | The brochures. |  | | The Kenworth T908 Prime Mover. |  | | Tremendous detailing. |  | | Excellent detail underneath. Tyre tread patterns seem a little odd. |  | | Underneath the tilting hood is a very detailed engine. |  | | Dolly closed in narrow formation. |  | | This rig means business. |  | | You would not want to stand in the way of this. There should be an 'Oversize' sign on the front but this was missing from the review model. |  | | Detailed cabling. |  | | Neat chains and more tiny graphics. |  | | Fine detail along the trailer edge. |  | | The Drake looks great with a load on. |
|
