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Mercedes Benz MP3 + Scheuerle Intercombi Trailer - Zaugg

Maker:  WSI
Model No:  01-1099
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  June 2012


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Cranes Etc Model Rating
Packaging   (max 10)
Detail   (max 30)27
Features   (max 20)16
Quality   (max 25)20
Price   (max 15)10
Overall   (max 100)82%

Footnotes


Mercedes Benz MP3 + Scheuerle InterCombi Trailer - Zaugg Video
High quality box.
Smart looking Mercedes.
Wheels are detailed.
Detailed equipment tower.
Tilting cab.
Underside of the gooseneck.
Detailed 4-line unit.
Tiny graphics on the edges.
Heavy load on board - the Liebherr LB28.
Great display pose.
Vessel bed extended.
Configured for a wide load.
Short configuration loaded with a Liebherr R916 .
This model is in the colours of Zaugg, a company operating in the German and French regions of Switzerland.

The tractor is a Mercedes Benz Actros 6x6 and the trailer is a Scheuerle InterCombi with 2 and 4-line modules and a vessel bed.

Packaging

The packaging is a high quality Tii-branded presentation box with the model parts held within black foam rubber, and the whole box was shrink-wrapped and delivered in two outer layers of packaging. 

There were no missing parts on the review model, although the guide for the rear towing hitch lacked a through hole for the pin so an additional one was drilled in.

There is no information provided about the real machine but a colour instruction sheet provides the main assembly points for the model.  There are some small parts supplied which are not used in the base configuration.

Detail

The Mercedes tractor has a very good chassis with the 6x6 transmission modelled really well, including the gearbox.  The wheels are very detailed with different tyres on the front and rear axles.

The cab is detailed with windscreen wipers, orange beacon lights, and an authentic number plate, and there is a towing hitch at the front which can have a cover fixed with a supplied pin.  The cab interior is very good and includes the Mercedes logo on the steering wheel and the ceiling is also modelled.  The Zaugg colour scheme looks nice and the Mercedes model number on the cab is 3365.

Under the cab is a detailed engine bearing the Mercedes Benz name.

Behind the cab, the equipment tower is very detailed and includes a very fine grab rail, wheel chocks and fuel tanks, however there are no coiled air lines.  Diamond plated surfacing extends to the fifth wheel, and over the plastic wheel arches covering the rear axles.  At the back, the lights are nicely detailed and there is an authentic number plate.  The rear towing hitch has a guide and pin.

The trailer is made up of the gooseneck, two Scheuerle modules and the vessel bed.

The gooseneck is a metal part with some very good details such as banks of hoses and the cabinets on each side have excellently detailed handles.  A couple of plastic boxes sit in the load storage area, and two width marker signs can be fitted.

The Scheuerle modules consist of one 4-line and one 2-line unit and they are from the standard WSI Scheuerle range.  Underneath the modules there are intricate hydraulic lines joining the tanks.  The wheels are nice and the structure of the trailers is modelled in an authentic way.  The steering linkages are metal and diamond plated metal cover plates provide the protection.  Decoration of the modules includes maximum speed signs, and a pair of clip-on rear light clusters is provided.

The Vessel bed comprises of a number of detailed metal adaptors for fitting to the modules or gooseneck, and the main beams are nicely engineered parts.  The pins used to secure the beams have painted heads which is a nice touch.

Features

The Mercedes tractor has very stiff steering but it is good to see that a decent range of movement can be achieved so more interesting poses are possible.

The cab tilts forward to about 45° and can pose in the tilted position.  A pin and cover is provided for the front hitch and a pin and guide for the rear hitch.

The gooseneck has working cylinders so different angles can be set.  It connects to the other components using the sliding locking pin system although surprisingly on the review model the pin was too short to make a strong connection.  Two supports are provided which can be used when the gooseneck is not connected to a tractor.

Both Scheuerle modules have excellent independent suspension and the steering is proportional on the 4-axle module and parallel on the 2-axle.  The steering is configurable by adjusting the position of the metal steering bars, although no information is provided on this aspect. 

The vessel bed beams can be configured in a narrow or extendible wide configuration, and they are also telescopic, so a large model around 65cm long can result.  There are two plastic loading ramps which can be attached in the normal width arrangement. 

Quality

This model is high quality with plastic used appropriately.  On the review model the fit between various InterCombi components was not quite as good as seen on previous Scheuerle models.

The paintwork and graphics are very good.

Price

The model is fairly good value.

Overall

WSI's Scheuerle modules always make interesting models and this one is no exception.  The vessel bed can be configured in different ways giving a variety of ways to display the model.  It is highly recommended.

Footnotes

The model appeared in May 2012.

 
Quality foam interior - and instruction sheet.
The vehicle in basic configuration.
Graphics are good.  Steering can be set to a good angle.
Very detailed chassis and transmission.
Plenty of anti-slip surfaces.
Towing hitch at the front.
Excellent painting of panel handles.
The two line unit.
Hoses and width markers at the gooseneck connection.
Rear light clusters are clip-on.
Configured with the module units only.
Small ramps fitted.
Impressive truck.