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| The WSI branded box.
|
 |
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| Impressive
Volvo tractor. |
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| Air lines. |
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| Realistic
number plate.
|
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| Underneath the
jeep dolly. |
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| Trailer
standing empty. |
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| Control console
on the module. |
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| Control
consoles at the centre. |
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| Long vehicle. |
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| Distinctive
Volvo grille.
|
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| Poses well as
part of a wind turbine diorama. |
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| Impressive
connection to the transport frame of the nacelle. |
|
 Comment on this model.
This version of the Mega Windmill Transporter
(MWT) uses a 5-axle Scheuerle trailer instead of a Nooteboom
NLD-70 self-tracking dolly.
The tractor is a
Volvo FH 8x4.
This model version of the MWT is in
the colours of the Dutch company
Bolk Transport which was founded in the 1930s.
Packaging
The packaging is a
standard WSI-style box.
There were
no defects or missing parts on the review model.
There is no information provided about the real
vehicle. It is a pity there is no instruction sheet for
the model particularly as previous versions included
some, as
there are a number of parts to fit together.
Detail
The Volvo tractor looks impressive. The chassis
has the transmission and suspension fully modelled, together
with the exhaust. The tyres have different treads
on the front and rear axle pairs, and are mounted on detailed
hubs which have good wheel nut details.
The cab detail includes windscreen wipers, mirrors, and orange beacon lights, and there is a
towing hitch at the front which can take a pin. Inside the cab
the Volvo logo is on the steering wheel and seat backs.
The Bolk graphics on the cab are sharp.
Behind the cab, the equipment tower is a cabinet with
detailed panel handles. Coiled lines are available
to plug into a trailer. Diamond plated surfacing
extends to the fifth wheel, and plastic wheel arches
cover the rear three axles. At the back, the lights
have plastic lenses and an authentic number plate.
The Mega Windmill Transporter is made up of two
wheeled components,
the jeep dolly at the front, and a Scheuerle trailer at
the rear.
The three axle jeep dolly has a finely modelled
chassis with suspension and steering components. Small rubber
tyres are mounted on detailed hubs with plastic wheel
arches
covering each wheel. The standard of the detailing
on the jeep dolly is very good with a tiny Nooteboom
logo impressing as do the small controls and signage.
At the front there is an orange beacon light and
equipment boxes and spare wheel.
The Scheuerle trailer units consist of one 3-axle and
one 2-axle module.
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 fit on top.
The livery is interesting, with a fine yellow
stripe, and a pair of clip-on rear light clusters is
provided, together with a non-functioning drawbar. Also included is a
control console.
The turntable for the lift adaptor is a separate intricate
part with excellent model engineering and very
fine hydraulic cabling.
The lift adaptors are not quite an identical pair as they
are designed to have the small remote control units on the same side
of the vehicle. Each one has a nicely rendered generator,
hydraulics box and fuel tank, and
there are various hydraulic lines. There are excellent diamond plated walking surfaces
at the lift adaptor gantry.
A cable links the front and rear adaptor although the
grade of plastic used does not seem so realistic. A set of
clip-on width marker signs incorporating beacon
lights is included.
Features
The Volvo has a limited amount of movement of the linked
steering axles.
The cab tilts forward to about 60° and can pose tilted.
A pin is provided for
the front hitch.
The jeep dolly has steering on axle three but
the range of movement is small. Axles 1 and 2
have working suspension. At the front there are a couple of support
legs which can be rotated and used to park the jeep dolly
when not connected to the tractor.
Both Scheuerle modules have excellent independent suspension
and the steering is slightly proportional on the 3-axle
module and parallel on the 2-axle. The steering is
configurable by adjusting the position of the metal
steering bars. The connection method for the two
modules consists of a small metal locking bolt carried
in a holder.
The lift adaptor structures have a range of horizontal movement
which is achieved by disconnecting a pin on each side.
The connection to windmill components is adjustable through
hydraulic cylinders both vertically and fore and aft.
The main cylinder has a pin hole to set the position of
the lift adaptor.
Quality
This model is high quality with a high metal content,
and an appropriate use of plastic.
The paintwork and graphics of the Bolk livery are very good.
Price
The model is good value.
Overall
WSI has produced another high quality MWT model and it
looks really good in the Bolk livery. It looks great
when posed with a separately available nacelle or tower
section.
Footnotes
The model appeared in November 2013.
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|
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| The parts out
of the box. |
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|
The Mega Windmill Transporter travelling empty. |
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| Steering angle
is fairly shallow.
|
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| Detailed
chassis. |
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| Volvo engine
under the cab. |
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| Underside the Scheuerle
modules. |
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| It is a large
vehicle even when empty.
|
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| Detailed
turntable at the rear. |
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| Not one for a
trip to the supermarket. |
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| The MWT loaded
with a Vestas V90.
|
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| Overall vehicle
is long - around 70cm with the Vestas nacelle on board. |
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