 | | The box. |  |  | | Very smart Volvo. |  | | Underside view shows great detail. |  | | Engine under the cab. |  | | Underneath the trailer. |  | | Ramps on the deck. Deck width extensions fitted. |  | | Width marker under the gooseneck pulls out. |  | | Ramps down and loading up. |  | | Hauling a Volvo L350F. |  | | Loaded with a Liebherr R 914. |
|  Comment on this model.
This is a model of a Volvo FH4 tractor with a Nooteboom 4-axle OSDS semi low loader. It is in the colours of Ruttle Plant Hire, a company based in Northern England.
The model has been commissioned by Maguires Models.
Packaging
The model comes in a typical WSI Collectibles branded box which has a window allowing the model to be seen.
There were no missing parts on the review model although there were two loose bridge pieces for the rear wheel arches on the Volvo.
There is no information provided about the model although a numbered Collector Card is included which has a unique number within the production run of 155 models. There are quite a few parts supplied and most collectors will have little difficulty working out where they go.
Detail
The tractor is a Volvo 6x2 unit and it looks great in the Ruttle livery with the graphics mirroring the real truck.
Underneath, the detail on the chassis is very good, with the suspension and transmission details modelled. The wheel hubs are excellent, and there are different tyre tread patterns on the driven axles.
At the front the cab has sharp detailing, and the lights have either lenses or jewels. The mirrors are colour-coded and there are a couple of beacon lights and a light bar on the roof. An authentic number plate is used. Behind the cab, there are coiled lines, and the fuel tank is modelled well. Plastic wheel arches cover the rear wheels and the rear lights have individual plastic lenses.
The trailer is highly detailed. Underneath, the structure of the trailer is modelled very well. The axles are highly detailed with the suspension fully represented, and there are hoses running to each wheel. At the front there are a couple of landing legs, with the handle of the landing legs having a touch of blue paint which is a nice detail.
The surface of the trailer is very good with the screw holes modelled in the replica timber deck. Details along the edges of the trailer are really nice with tiny tie down points represented although they are not separate loops so cannot actually be used. On one side there is a control console.
The ramps at the rear are very detailed with realistic securing chains.
The gooseneck has connectors for a couple of lines from the tractor, but surprisingly the deck does not include the offset aluminium strip which was present in earlier versions of the model. On the front of the headboard is a spare wheel.
A separate pack of metal deck posts is provided and these plug into holes in the deck edge and enough are provided to use as an alternative to the headboard if required. A pair of width markers attaches at the rear end of the trailer if required, and a couple of pull-out ones are stowed under the gooseneck.
Features
The tractor unit has a steerable front axle and the steering lock is moderate.
The cab tilts to a good angle to reveal a detailed engine underneath.
The trailer has plenty of features. All the axles have effective working suspension with good movement, and the rear two axles are self-steering and can adopt a very 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.
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 beams which can be pulled out and then replica timber beams can be laid between them.
Other configuration options are provided by fitting or omitting the deck posts, and the same goes for the headboard. The deck posts do not fit well however so a lot of patience is required to pose them properly.
The loading ramps can be lowered and a couple of hinged support legs can be rotated down if required.
Two ramps to provide load access up on to the gooseneck deck are included.
Quality
This is a high quality model. It has a high metal content with plastic used appropriately.
The paintwork and graphics are of a very high standard.
Price
The model is good value for its quality and considering that it has been made in very small numbers.
Overall
Perhaps the best aspect of this model is the Ruttle Plant colour scheme which is very attractive. The model is very detailed and the feature count means it can be posed in a variety of interesting ways.
Footnotes
The model appeared in January 2015. It was made in a run of 155 models.
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|  | | On the road. |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Livery details are accurate. |  | | Good detailing behind the cab. |  | | Impressive Volvo. |  | | Detailed gooseneck. |  | | Fine details at the rear. | |
|  | | Extendible deck with transverse beam. |
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