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| Special HTM
branded box - Jubilee edition.
|
 |
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| Tough-looking
heavy haulage. |
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| Excellent detailed
chassis. |
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| Big Palfinger
folded up.
|
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| Mercedes-Benz
engine. |
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| Unfolded. |
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| Sharp graphics. |
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| Fly jib. |
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| Lifting on the
fly. |
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| Maximum height
of lift. |
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 Comment on this model.
The truck is a Mercedes-Benz Actros 4151 8x8 with box,
and a Palfinger PK150002 Loader Crane. The crane
is rated at 117 tonne metres with a maximum lift of 40
tonnes.
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. It commemorates five
years of Heavy Transport Models activity.
Packaging
The box is branded as a special commemorative model with
HTM branding which makes a nice change from the usual
WSI packaging. Inside the model is contained within a WSI type
tray with a clear lid.
There were no defects or missing parts on the review
model.
A generic instruction sheet is included which explains
the features of the Palfinger crane. There is no information
about the real truck.
Detail
The Mercedes-Benz has a very good chassis with
the 8x8 transmission impressively modelled including the gearbox.
The wheels are very detailed with different tyres on the
front and rear axles.
The cab
has windscreen wipers and orange
beacon lights, and there is only Kibag written on the number plate. The
cab interior is very good and includes the Mercedes-Benz logo
on the steering wheel.
Under the cab is a detailed engine bearing the Mercedes-Benz name.
Between the front and rear wheels there are plastic
tanks and boxes although the one on the driver's side is
set a little too low. The
metal box has the drop sides detailed by painted casting
details. At the rear is a towing hitch with a separate
crank-handled pin and two-stage outrigger beams.
The rear lights have plastic lenses.
The Palfinger looks very good as many small graphics
enhance the detail. The outriggers are three-stage with
graphics on each part. The pistons are smooth, and
small separate pads are supplied for the front and rear
outriggers. An additional set of small square plates is
also included.
There is a control console with tiny levers. The base
section has twin slewing motors complete with hose, and
a bank of hoses run from the boxes up the boom. There
is a winch which has thread hidden under a tape
covering.
The boom sections are thin-wall metal, with a stiff
profile. The final boom section has a small fixed metal
hook.
A fly jib is also included with the model and this can
be attached by swapping out the final main boom
section. The fly jib is also finely made just like the
main boom with a modelling compromise in that the last
four sections are one piece as they are too small to
model separately.
Features
There is stiff linked steering
on the front axles and only a limited range of movement is possible.
The rear axles have some float to represent suspension.
The cab tilts forward to about 45° and can be posed in the
tilted position.
The front outriggers travel in the upright position and
can be telescoped out, rotated and pinned, and the pads
lowered. The rear outriggers can be extended and
lowered.
The crane rotates fairly smoothly. The boom
unfolds with the rams being very stiff and jerky to extend.
The boom telescoping sections extend well and generally
hold a pose.
The fly jib can be added or left off, and when fitted
the angle can be adjusted and the sections telescoped.
Quality
This is a suitably high quality model to celebrate HTM's
5-year anniversary. There is limited use
of plastic.
The paintwork is very good and the few Kibag graphics are
sharp.
Price
The model is good value.
Overall
The Kibag colour scheme is attractive and collectible in
its own right making this a desirable model. It is
a very detailed model with nice functionality.
Footnotes
The model appeared in August 2014.
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|
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| The parts
and instruction sheet. |
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Profile view. The box between the wheels is set a
bit too low. |
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| Steering angle
is a little restricted. |
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| Fifth wheel. |
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| Detailed loader
crane. |
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|
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| Detailed
outriggers. |
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| Detailed
control console.
|
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| Multiple rams
on the boom. |
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| Lifting a tower
crane section. |
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| Nooteboom
trailer hitched up |
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