 | | The Nooteboom box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Windmill on the equipment tower. |  | | Tilting cab. |  | | Underneath the MAN. |  | | Underside of the Scheuerle. |  | | Generator on the lift adaptor. |  | | Detailed turntable on the Scheuerle. |  | | Excellent graphics on the Jeep Dolly. |  | | Wheels a plenty. |  | | The Jeep Dolly standing up for itself. |  | | Overall vehicle is long - around 75cm with the Vestas on board. |  | | Connection at the hub end. |
| This version of the Mega Windmill Transporter (MWT) uses a 6-axle Scheuerle trailer instead of a Nooteboom NLD-70 self-tracking dolly.
The tractor is a MAN TGX XXL 41.680 8x4.
The advantage of the Scheuerle configuration is that it suits operators who already have modular units, and the trailer can also be used for other haulage duties. However the NLD-70 is a more efficient bespoke solution which is easier to operate and has better payload duties.
Previous versions of the MWT model which have been reviewed include the 3-axle and 4-axle jeep dolly versions with a Nooteboom rear dolly.
This model version of the MWT is in Nooteboom colours and does not come with a load but a separate wind turbine nacelle, the Vestas V90, is available which can be used as a load.
Packaging
The packaging is a high quality presentation box with the model parts held within black foam rubber. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
There is no information provided about the real machine but it is good to see a good colour instruction sheet provided which covers the main assembly points. There are quite a few small parts supplied with the model which are not used in the base configuration.
Detail
The MAN tractor has the unique Nooteboom number T-019. It has very good chassis detail underneath with drive shafts, differentials and suspension modelled, and the gearbox is rendered in silver. 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 is fully detailed with windscreen wipers, colour coded mirrors, and orange beacon lights, and there is a towing hitch at the front which can have a cover fixed with a supplied pin although the fit on the review model prevented the pin engaging fully. Inside the cab, the details include nice moulded seats.
Behind the cab, the equipment tower is very detailed with various tanks and a fan on top which is covered by a realistic mesh screen. A fine grab rail and twin exhaust pipes are included and 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 there is an authentic number plate, and a towing hitch which can have a guide and pin attached.
The Mega Windmill Transporter is made up of two components, the jeep dolly at the front, and a Scheuerle trailer at the rear.
The jeep dolly is four axle and has the Nooteboom number OPL-14. Underneath, the axles are finely modelled 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 does the small controls and signage. At the front there is an orange beacon light and a connection point for lines from the tractor. The review model lacked lines running from the king pin area to the turntable as on the previous version of this jeep dolly.
The Scheuerle trailer units consist of one 4-axle and one 2-axle 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 units is excellent, with a fine yellow stripe and maximum speed signs, and each module has a separate number. A pair of clip-on rear light clusters is provided, and a non-functioning drawbar. An experienced collector could make the drawbar at least partly functional by drilling out a pin. Also included is a control console and another generator pack.
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 stowed at the front, and there are various hydraulic lines. There are excellent diamond plated walking surfaces at the lift adaptor gantry.
There are no cables joining the jeep dolly and rear trailer as in earlier versions of the MWT. A set of clip-on width marker signs incorporating beacon lights is included.
Features
The steering of the two linked front axles on the tractor works, but there is only a limited range of wheel movement possible.
The cab tilts forward to about 45° to provide access to the detailed engine. A pin and cover is provided for the front hitch and a pin and guide for the rear hitch.
The jeep dolly has steering on axles three and four but the range of movement is small. Each axle also has working suspension. Axles 1 and 2 are lift axles on the real jeep dolly, but this functionality has not been provided on the model. 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 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. The connection method for the two modules consists of a small metal locking bolt carried in a holder. Also the overall design is such that when the units are lifted they are rigidly fixed in line rather than flopping about.
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 continues the excellent quality of WSI Mega Windmill Transporters.
The paintwork and graphics are very good.
Price
The model is good value given its complexity and quality.
Overall
There is no doubt this is another very high quality Nooteboom model and it is presented in a professional manner and the addition of instructions is welcome. It looks great when posed with a nacelle or tower section. It is an outstanding model.
Footnotes
The model appeared in May 2011 in a run of 300 models.
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|  | | Quality foam interior - and instruction sheet. |  | | The Mega Windmill Transporter travelling empty. |  | | MAN Tractor impresses. |  | | Good fan in a mesh cage at the top of the tower. |  | | Fifth wheel is fixed. |  | | Underneath the Jeep Dolly. |  | | Vehicle poses well. |  | | Adaptors clipped together for empty transport. |  | | Rear end of the Scheuerle trailer. |  | | The MWT loaded with a Vestas V90. |  | | Connection at the rear of the nacelle. |  | | A mini diorama with Terex AC500, Nooteboom OSDS + Hub and the MWT. |
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