 |
| Nooteboom box.
|
 |
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| Smart looking
Mercedes-Benz. |
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| Big chrome
exhaust. |
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| Detailed
chassis.
|
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| Tilting cab. |
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| Modules. |
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| Detailed
console on the gooseneck. |
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| Tiny graphics
on the edges. |
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| Spare wheels in
the storage area. |
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| Deck posts can
be fitted.
|
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| Extendible
deck. |
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| A bunch of gear
chucked on by the Cranes Etc guys. |
|
 Comment on this model.
This model is one of Nooteboom Trailers Red Line Series.
The tractor is a Mercedes-Benz Actros 8x4 and the
trailer is a Nooteboom 4-axle EURO-PX + 2-axle ICP.
The tractor has a model fleet number of T-030 and the
trailer is OPL-025.
Packaging
The packaging is a high quality Nooteboom-branded
windowed box.
There were no defects or missing parts on the review
model.
An instruction sheet is included which is a welcome
addition and it includes information about the real trailer
on one side and the basics of assembling the trailer on
the other, although not all aspects of the model are
covered. A collector card is also included.
Detail
The Mercedes-Benz tractor has a very good chassis with
the 8x4 transmission fully modelled and that includes the gearbox.
The wheels are very detailed with different tyres on the
front and rear axles.
The cab has windscreen wipers, orange beacon lights and
light bar, number plate, and colour-coded door mirrors.
The cab interior is very good and includes the Mercedes
logo on the steering wheel and there also appears to be some coloured detailing on the instrument
cluster although it is hard to see.
Under the cab is a detailed engine bearing the Mercedes
Benz name.
The equipment tower is entirely plastic but it is very
detailed including grab rails, tanks and lights. A
chromed exhaust stack looks impressive. Coiled air
lines and anti-slip surfacing extends to the
fifth wheel and at the back the lights have plastic
lenses.
The trailer is made up of the gooseneck, a 2-axle
Interdolly, the flatbed and 4-axle Pendel X module.
The gooseneck is a metal part. The control console on
the left side has tiny graphics and yellow reflective
stripes run on each side. At the rear a set of
hoses / cables are ready to plug into the Interdolly or
deck section. Two spare wheels can sit loosely in the
storage area on top and width markers can be clipped
underneath.
The 2-axle Interdolly is a precision part. The
detailed wheels are supported on metal parts with the
sprung suspension neatly modelled with the spring inside
the ram. The authentic look is highlighted by the
use of many tiny graphics, and on top the painting of
the casting highlights bolt heads around the access
plates.
The 4-axle unit is similarly detailed. It features
a deep central trough which is an advantage of this
trailer design so that the boom of a transported load can
be folded low. Graphics are used to provide the
detail on the inner edges and tie-down loops are
reproduced within the casting. A width marker
board assembly can be added on top.
There is a detailed surface on the flat bed with plastic
timber decking which has the screw pattern visible. The
yellow reflective stripe continues along the edges.
Tiny plastic outriggers for supporting timber edge
extensions are modelled, and holes for deck posts are
provided. The metal posts are
included with the model also.
Features
The Mercedes-Benz tractor has very stiff linked steering
and only a small range of movement is possible.
The cab tilts forward to about 45° and can pose in the
tilted position.
The gooseneck has stiff working cylinders so different angles
can be set. It can be connected to the Interdolly,
and a spacer piece is provided for use if connecting
directly to the deck section. However these
connections are not very firm and easily come apart.
The spacer piece was also not a good fit on the review
model, but an acceptable result could be obtained.
Both modules have very good independent suspension and
the steering is proportional on the 4-axle module and
parallel on the 2-axle. The steering mechanism is not
as precise as some previous WSI models and a moderate steering angle can be
achieved before the tyres are fouled.
The deck can be configured with deck posts and extra
plastic timbers to extend the width.
The deck is
also extendible producing a model around 23 inches or
59cm long. The mechanism works smoothly.
Quality
This model is high quality with plastic used
appropriately.
The paintwork is very good with many very small graphics
adding detail and they only lose sharpness at closest
inspection.
Price
The model is reasonable value for the flexibility offered.
Overall
This latest version of the Nooteboom Euro Low Loader is
generally in keeping with the high standard of previous
versions. It is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model appeared in March 2013.
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|
 |
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| The parts,
collector card and instruction sheet. |
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|
The trailer in basic
configuration. |
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| Steering angle
is very limited. |
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| Equipment tower
is plastic. |
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| The rear end. |
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| Looks
impressive. |
|
|
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| The 4-axle
unit.
|
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| Highlighting of
bolt heads by painting. |
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| Rear of the
trailer. |
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| Configured without
the Interdolly.
|
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| Carrying a
Volvo A40D. |
 |
| Impressive with
a Liebherr
LB 28 on board. |
|
