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| The Nooteboom box.
|
 |
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| The parts out of
the box. |
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| Windmill on the
equipment tower. |
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| Tilting cab.
|
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| Underneath the
MAN. |
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| Underside of the
Scheuerle. |
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| Generator on
the lift adaptor. |
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| Detailed
turntable on the Scheuerle. |
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| Excellent graphics
on the Jeep Dolly. |
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| Wheels a plenty.
|
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| The Jeep Dolly
standing up for itself. |
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| Overall vehicle
is long - around 75cm with the Vestas on board. |
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| 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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|
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|
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| Quality foam interior
- and instruction sheet. |
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|
The Mega Windmill Transporter travelling empty. |
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| MAN Tractor impresses.
|
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| Good fan in a mesh
cage at the top of the tower. |
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| Fifth wheel is
fixed. |
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| Underneath the
Jeep Dolly. |
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| Vehicle poses well.
|
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| Adaptors
clipped together for empty transport. |
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| Rear end of the
Scheuerle trailer. |
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| The MWT loaded
with a Vestas V90.
|
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| Connection at the
rear of the nacelle. |
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| A mini diorama
with Terex
AC500, Nooteboom
OSDS + Hub and the MWT. |
|
