|
The box. |
|
|
Parts make
very good transport loads. |
|
Short fixed
jib. |
|
|
Nice mini
diorama. |
|
Using the
dolly to draw the jib in before raising it. |
|
Excellent
mesh walkways. |
|
Jib dolly. |
|
Impressive. |
|
Connection
fits the LTM 1750 boom head. |
|
The Liebherr
1500-8.1 mobile crane was a very popular heavy mobile
crane and it was run by fleets worldwide.
The
fly jib can be fitted in many fixed or luffing
configurations. A maximum system length of 145m
under hook can be achieved.
This kit is an updated version of the kit introduced at
the end of 2014. The main change is that the
plastic boom sections of the first version are replaced
by aluminium sections.
Packaging
The model kit comes in a Liebherr-branded box with
the model held within two expanded polystyrene trays.
There were
no defects or missing parts on the review model.
The model includes an
updated and improved assembly manual compared to the
first version.
It has a parts list and clear photos showing the
assembly of the maximum length configuration. Other
parts are also described.
The manua includes reprints of Liebherr documentation showing the
large variety of possible configurations.
These do not show the guy bar arrangements for every
configuration so the user has to work these out
themselves.
Assembly of the jib is straightforward, although
the main connection holes of the jib to the boom head
needed some inner paint removal to allow the bolts to
fit easily.
Detail
The
kit is very detailed with accurately modelled
components throughout. Metal pulleys are used, and
there is metal mesh used for various walkways and
platforms. Connections are generally made using
brass nuts and bolts, and in some places, pins.
The heaviest lattice section
includes hydraulic hoses along its length.
The intermediate lattice sections are modelled in
aluminium to reduce the weight of the jib, which is
around 1.6m long in its biggest configuration. Because
they are metal, they are painted and so there is a
perfect colour match across the parts of the kit, unlike
the first version.
Generally, the detailing is really good.
Features
The main feature of the kit is the sheer
variety of configurations that it is possible to build.
In addition the parts also make good transport loads.
The hydraulically controlled section which allows an
offset fixed jib has metal cylinders secured by grub
screws and it works well.
One aspect of the luffing jib is that it uses the winch
and luffing gear supplied on the LTM 1500 base model.
In practice this is not so easy to use because of the
brake mechanism on the drum. This
is particularly true during assembly. However, the
sequence used on the real crane can be replicated where
a winch line is used to tow the luffing bridle to the
A-frame.
Also the kit would have also benefitted from a single
sheave and/or single line hook block to provide variety to the ones
supplied with the crane which are a larger size.
The jib adaptor that connects to the telescopic boom
head also fits the Liebherr LTM 1750 mobile crane model.
Although there are differences between the LTM 1500 and
LTM 1750 jibs in real life, this kit does provide a good
option for LTM 1750 owners.
Quality
This is a very detailed kit which is well made and the
parts fit together well. It has a very high metal
content.
The paintwork
is very good.
Price
The kit is relatively pricey, but it is a big kit and
offers lots of flexibility.
Overall
This revised kit from WSI addresses the main weakness of
the original kit, and the use of all metal sections
produces an excellent jib. The
kit allows impressive displays to be achieved and at
the maximum the overall model can be nearly 3m tall.
Footnotes
A kit first appeared at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 2014 and was generally available
at the end of that year. This version of the kit
with aluminium sections replacing the plastic ones in
the previous version became available in April 2021 in a
variety of colours.
|
|
|
|
The tray
has many parts tightly packed. Very good manual is
included. |
|
Nice to
arrange a fleet. |
|
Excellent
hydraulics detailing. |
|
Fixed jib
angle can be adjusted. |
|
Assembling
the luffing jib. |
|
|
Lifting a
tower crane section. |
|
Excellent
profile. |
|
Fixed jib
from this kit fitted to the LTM 1750 model. |
|