 | | 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.
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|  | | 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. |
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