 | | WSI box. |  |  | | Impressive Mercedes-Benz Actros. |  | | Fifth wheel is fixed in position |  | | Detailed chassis. The steering movement is moderate. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Three axle does not have working suspension. |  | | Very nice detailing. |  | | Impressive gooseneck details. |  | | Fully decked out with escort. |  | | Hauling a Vermeer Terrain Leveller. |  | | Interdolly raised for travelling empty. |  | | Carrying a Soilmec foundation machine. |  | | Hauling a dump truck without the Interdolly. |
|  Comment on this model.
The tractor is a Mercedes-Benz Actros MP3 8x6 and the trailer is a Nooteboom 5-axle EURO-PX + 3-axle ICP.
It is in the colours of Kibag, a Swiss group founded in 1926, and it owns a number of quarries and concrete plants as well as carrying out civil engineering works.
The model has been commissioned by Heavy Transport Models and is made by WSI.
Packaging
The packaging is a standard WSI-branded windowed box with the model held in an expanded polystyrene tray with clear plastic tray and lid.
There were no missing parts on the review model. The steering interconnector on the 5-axle module was the wrong length although in practice the steering could still be posed properly by disconnecting the rod.
No instructions are included which is a pity as previous versions of the model included instructions.
Detail
The Mercedes-Benz transmission is modelled well. The wheels are very detailed with different tyres on the steering and non-steering axles.
The cab has beacon lights on the roof and chevrons on the front although there is no number plate. Under the cab is a detailed engine.
Behind the cab the equipment tower is plastic and very detailed including coiled lines and wheel chocks. Anti-slip surfacing extends to the rear and at the back the lights have plastic lenses and there is a towing hitch.
The trailer is made up of the gooseneck, a 3-axle interdolly, the spine beam, and 5-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 spine. Plastic width markers can be clipped on.
The 3-axle interdolly has detailed wheels and 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 5-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 marker board assembly fits top.
The spine beam is a metal part with some inlaid plastic deck surfacing. The edges are detailed with painted tie-down loops. Plastic extension beams hold the replica timber deck width extensions.
Features
The Actros has linked steering which achieves a moderate range of movement.
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 or deck beam. However the rams on the gooseneck could not hold the correct angle as the pistons seemed too long so they had to be reduced in length.
The 3-axle module has parallel steering but unlike earlier versions of the model there is no sprung suspension which is a surprising change.
The steering is proportional on the 5-axle module and it has very good sprung suspension. The steering mechanism works reasonably well and a decent angle can be obtained.
The deck can be configured with just the spine beam or with the width extensions.
Quality
Other than the issues affecting the review model it is good quality with plastic used appropriately.
The paintwork is very good with many very small graphics adding detail.
Price
The model is reasonable value for a limited edition.
Overall
Kibag liveried models always look good and this one does too. It would have been even better if it had come with instructions and working suspension on the interdolly like earlier versions of the model. The review model loses marks because of the manufacturing issues, but a defect-free example is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model appeared in November 2014.
|
| |
|  | | The parts. |  | | The trailer in basic configuration. |  | | Excellent detailing on the cab. |  | | Detailed tower. |  | | Tilting cab. |  | | Underneath the five axle module. |  | | Parallel steering on the 3-axle. |  | | Width extensions. | |
|  | | Details at the back. |  | | Nice steering on the rear module. |  | | Looks good in Kibag colours. |
|
