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| WSI box.
|
 |
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| Impressive
Mercedes-Benz Actros. |
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| Fifth wheel is
fixed in position |
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| Detailed
chassis. The steering movement is moderate. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Three axle does
not have working suspension. |
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| Very nice
detailing. |
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| Impressive
gooseneck details. |
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| Fully decked
out with escort. |
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| Hauling a
Vermeer
Terrain Leveller.
|
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| Interdolly
raised for travelling empty. |
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| Carrying a
Soilmec
foundation machine. |
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| 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.
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|
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|
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| The parts. |
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|
The trailer in basic
configuration. |
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| Excellent
detailing on the cab. |
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| Detailed tower. |
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| Tilting cab. |
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| Underneath the
five axle module. |
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| Parallel
steering on the 3-axle.
|
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| Width
extensions. |
|
|
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| Details at the
back. |
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| Nice steering
on the rear module. |
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| Looks good in
Kibag colours. |
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