 | | The box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box including certificate. |  | | McNally's decoration all round. |  | | Really good chassis detail. |  | | Cab seat has Liebherr on the back. |  | | Each boom section has name graphics. |  | | Hydraulic lines on the crane body. |  | | Lifting the Liebherr ingot. |  | | Fly jib attached. |
| The Liebherr 1050-3.1 is a 50 tonne capacity three axle crane with a maximum lifting height of 54m.
The review model is in the colours of McNally's, an Irish crane hire company which started in crane hire in the 1970s. The company has since become a major player in the wind turbine market with its sister company Windhoist.
Packaging
The model comes in a standard Liebherr box design with the model held within a pair of polystyrene trays. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
There is no information on the real machine included, and no instructions for the model either. There are a number of small parts which are attached or used and this includes some pins which in the absence of instructions it is not clear what their purpose is.
A certificate of Original Limited Edition is included and this has a unique model number and a short history of McNally's. This is a nice addition to the model and improves collectability.
Detail
This is a highly detailed model and underneath it has fully replicated transmission and suspension systems, and although these are modelled in plastic, the quality is high. The tyres and wheels are very good with a particularly fine tread pattern on the tyres, and excellent wheel hubs although the design is the same on each wheel.
The details on the carrier are of a very high standard. The driving cab is great. It has a tiny loop for hitching the hook whilst travelling, and the door steps and handles look authentic as do the door mirrors and windscreen wipers. Underneath the cab, a ladder is hung like on the real machine. Inside the cab the seats have Liebherr printed on to their backs and the computer console and dashboard have graphics applied.
There is some more really good modelling behind the driving cab with mesh grids which look very authentic together with some tiny grab handles and a realistic exhaust pipe. Nice black replica rubber skirts sit above each wheel. At the rear, there is very fine detailing of the light bar and number plate. This model is different from the Liebherr coloured version as it does not have the tool box at the back.
A particularly nice detail is the outriggers. The pistons are smooth with the screw mechanism being internal so they look realistic. The pads have a working pinning mechanism which allows the pads to be fixed in an offset way so they are within the footprint of the crane when the outrigger beams are retracted. When in use, the pin is removed and replaced with the pad centred under the piston. Small plastic spreader plates are also provided and this is a welcome addition.
The crane body continues the high level detail with hydraulic hosing and a nicely replicated cab interior. The access platform to the side of the cab slides in and out so can be retracted for transport to create a more realistic configuration. The cylinder jackets on the hydraulic cylinders are plastic and the colour match is slightly off.
The counterweight has been made in pieces so can be attached just like the real crane, and one piece has the Liebherr name formed within the casting. A single winch is provided.
Detailing on the boom includes various spooling drums and cable runs, and looks very good. At the boom head individual metal pulleys are provided.
A metal folding fly jib completes the model, and it has well formed lattice work. A good metal hook is supplied, as is a dummy load with the Liebherr name on it. The high detail level includes a chain to replicate the hoist cut-off, and the free end of the hoist rope slides into a tie off shackle which itself can be pinned to the main boom or fly jib as appropriate. Although the hook can be reeved onto the fly jib, a single line hook would have looked better.
The McNally's livery has been rendered very well although the McNally's website does not show an LTM 1050-3.1 so a precise check is difficult. However the lettering and decoration style appears authentic. Many of the smaller warning notices on the Liebherr liveried version are not present on this one but overall the crane looks very smart.
Features
Each axle can steer independently so the crane can be posed with crab steering if required with the steering movement on the centre axle less than the others. The steering is 'notched' but a good angle can be achieved. The outriggers can be extended and lowered and feature the excellent pad pinning feature mentioned earlier.
The operator's cab can be tilted to a good angle, and the side access platform can be extended and retracted.
The ladder stowed underneath the carrier cab is removable but is to short to pose in use during attachment of the fly jib for example.
A good feature is that the four-piece counterweight can be displayed in various configurations, including on the carrier deck.
Raising the four section boom is easy but the cylinder is not stiff enough to hold an extended or loaded boom up for long without it bleeding down and this is compounded by the fact that it cannot be raised to as steep an angle as the real crane. It can be fixed at a steep angle using a supplied pin in the main lift cylinder jacket.
A key is provided to operate the winch which on the review model had some friction so light loads could be supported. A small opening flap is provided above the winch drum.
The fly jib can be attached although there are no pulleys at the end of the lattice section so the swing away section needs to be used. It can be stripped down to form the very short assembly jib which is an option on the real crane, although it can not be set to replicate an offset angle, which is a pity. It is also difficult to rig the short jib satisfactorily.
Quality
The model is high quality with intricate detailing and where plastic is used it is used intelligently and without spoiling the look. Paintwork and graphics are especially good.
Price
The model is good value given the limited edition status and it may retain its value as a result.
Overall
This is an excellent mobile crane model and it looks very smart in the colours of McNally's. It is a good addition to the range of models in McNally's colours and is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model was first introduced in Liebherr colours as WSI 9478 and was available from March 2010. A number of versions in different liveries have been produced. This version was developed by giftmodels.it and it appeared in April 2011 in a limited run of 200 models.
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|  | | The model in the box. |  | | Good tyre tread and the outrigger pads are stowed in the offset position. |  | | Interior cab details are really good. |  | | No equipment box on the back of the McNally's version. |  | | Hook can be fixed at the front. |  | | High quality detailing in the engine area. |  | | Outrigger pistons are smooth. |  | | Profile view. |  | | Windhoist graphics are also applied to the boom sections. |  | | Rigged with the short erection jib. |  | | On the road. |
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