 |
| The box.
|
 |
 |
| Smart accurate
decoration. |
 |
| Profile view.
Fire extinguisher box behind the cab. |
 |
| Detailed
engine. |
 |
| Landing legs
lowered. |
 |
| Steering on the
rear axles.
|
 |
| Widened deck.
|
 |
| Loaded with a
crane section. |
 |
| Impressive
looking. |
|
 Comment on this model.
This review is of a MAN TGX XLX 6x4
Tractor with a Nooteboom 4-axle OSDS semi low-loader.
The trailer was
previously reviewed in Nooteboom colours.
It is in the colours of
Ainscough, the UK's largest crane hire and heavy
lifting specialist.
Packaging
The model comes in a WSI
branded box and is contained in an expanded
polystyrene tray and held with a clear
plastic former.
There were some defects on the review model. A
mirror and the rear equipment pack on the tractor were
broken and had to be re-glued. Some of the
graphics at the rear of the trailer were poorly applied.
There is no information about Ainscough or the real
vehicle, and no instructions are supplied for the model.
Detail
The tractor unit is a MAN TGX 6x4 unit. Underneath, the detail is very good with transmission and suspension features reproduced, and a good detailed gearbox. The tyres
have a differing tread pattern on the front and rear
wheels and they are mounted on detailed
wheels.
The cab decoration includes a UK number plate and STGO signage. The door mirrors
are colour coded in yellow. In addition to the
windscreen wipers, the cab roof also has rear spot
lights, air horns and good quality orange beacon
lights. Inside the cab, the detail level is good with right hand steering. The standard of the graphics on the cab is very high with the Ainscough
logo rendered well. Under the cab is a detailed engine
which has MAN Common Rail in tiny writing.
Behind the cab there is a fire extinguisher box, and
simulated air lines which can be posed fixed to the
trailer. A diamond plated walkway leads to the fifth wheel area. At the back there are large plastic mud flaps and the rear light clusters have nice plastic lenses.
The trailer is highly detailed and the structure
underneath is modelled very well. The
axles are fully detailed with the suspension
modelled and there is hosing running to each wheel.
At the front a couple of landing legs and extendible width
markers are present. The surface of the trailer
is top quality with an excellent representation of a timber
surface which has screw holes modelled, and the metal surfacing
is textured well.
Details along the edges of the trailer are really nice with
small graphics and tiny tie down points modelled
although they are not separate loops so cannot actually
be used. On one side there is a well detailed control
console.
The gooseneck has connectors for lines from the tractor.
A separate pack of metal deck posts is provided
and these plug into holes in the deck edge. A pair of width markers can be attached at
the rear end of the trailer or stored under the
gooseneck.
Features
The steering on the MAN tractor turns to a reasonable
angle.
The cab tilts smoothly revealing the engine.
The fifth wheel is adjustable longitudinally.
The trailer has many features. All the axles have
effective working suspension with good movement, and the
rear two axles can turn to a good angle.
At
the front the landing legs can be screwed down, and the
marker boards stowed under the gooseneck can be slid
into position. At the rear, a couple of hinged support
legs can be rotated down if required. The rear width
marker boards can be fitted or left off as desired, and
stored under the gooseneck when not in use.
The trailer bed can be extended to almost double its
length, and there is a sliding cross beam too.
For wider loads the trailer has a load floor width
adjustment and this works with tiny extension supports
which can be pulled out and then replica beams can be
laid between them.
Other configuration options are
provided by fitting the deck posts although
it can be fiddly to get them to stand straight.
Quality
The overall quality of the model is very high if the
defects on the review model are set aside.
The paintwork and graphics are of a very high standard.
Price
This is a limited edition model in a well known UK
company colour scheme. It is good value.
Overall
WSI has produced a very nice model and it is a pity
there were manufacturing issues on the one reviewed
here. However it is a 'must have' model for
collectors keen on models in famous liveries and is
highly recommended.
Footnotes
This version appeared in August 2012. An
Ainscough Ballast
Trailer was previously released.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Configured with
deck posts. |
 |
| Steering angle
is reasonable. |
 |
| Air lines
and adjustable fifth wheel. |
 |
| Detailed
chassis.
|
 |
| Excellent
detail on the underside of the trailer. |
 |
| Width
extensions.
|
 |
| Detailed rear
but some graphics are poor on the review model. |
 |
| Extendible
deck.
|
 |
| Width markers
fitted. |
|
