 | | The box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Rubber mud flaps at the rear. |  | | Chrome details are convincing. |  | | Very thin aerials. |  | | Opening cab door. |  | | Side panel can be left out for better cooling when its working hard. |  | | Without the ballast box. |
| The Kenworth C 500 B is a heavy haulage tractor designed for special loads and tough environments.
Packaging
The model comes in a Kenworth branded box which includes expanded polystyrene trays with the model inside. There is no information about the real machine or the model.
There were no missing parts on the review model, although one of the engine covers was slightly off colour to the rest of the model.
There are a few parts which can be fitted to add detail.
Detail
Underneath, the 6x4 transmission is modelled in detail together with the suspension, and the engine and gearbox are highlighted. There are some hose lines running through the chassis.
The wheels and tyres are high quality, and a nice detail is the rubber mud flaps.
The chrome work is outstanding, and the mesh elements are very fine indeed. The roof aerials are fine gauge wire and the headlights have tiny protective grilles.
The Kenworth logo and badges look good on the radiator and hood. The grab rails and door mirrors are metal, and there is relatively little plastic.
The cab interior is detailed, and the opening cab doors are superbly implemented with no visible ‘modelling hinges’ to spoil the realistic look.
Under the hood, the engine is well detailed.
Behind the cab the detail is excellent with lights, toolbox and mesh surfaces. The rear wheel arches have a textured non-slip surface and there are lights under the rear towing hitch.
The ballast box is metal with lifting eyes indicated but not actually usable. A variety of accessories include a spare tyre and nicely detailed chains.
Features
The steering is very good and a realistic hard lock can be obtained. All axles also have working suspension.
The 'gull wing' hood opens on both sides and there are removable panels which allow increased ventilation to the engine.
The cab doors open although the fit of the doors is so accurate that it can be a challenge to find a gap that allows the doors to be prised open.
The fifth wheel has longitudinal movement and has a spring loaded clip to grasp the king pin of a trailer.
The ballast box can be chained in place or left off.
Quality
This is a very high quality model with plastic sparingly used.
The paintwork is generally very good, although there are few graphics on this generic model.
Price
It is good value for the very high quality offered.
Overall
This is an outstanding truck model with really good detail and features.
Footnotes
The model first appeared in June 2011 as part of the Mammoet Coke Drum Move Set in June 2011. This version appeared in July 2012.
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|  | | In the box. |  | | Very good steering angle. |  | | Ballast box chained on. |  | | Distinctive radiator impresses. |  | | Detailed chassis. |  | | Detail behind the cab. |  | | Opening hood. |  | | Loaded up and ready to go. |
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