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| Spierings branded box.
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| Highly complex model. |
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| Very detailed chassis. |
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| Distinctive cab. The
seat can be angled for driving or crane modes of operation |
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| Stands wheels-free. |
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| Fold down ladder. |
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| Profile view. |
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| Cab rail and cable rack
on the tower. |
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| Detailed trolley and
hook. |
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The Spierings City Boy SK487-AT3
is a 3 axle machine designed particularly for city centre
applications. It is capable of being entirely
electric powered, and it has a single cab used for both
road and crane driving.
Packaging
The model comes in a Spierings branded box and inside it is packed within
expanded polystyrene trays. Although the model is
secured to the bottom tray with twist ties, they are
soft and easy to remove.
The review model had no missing parts. The jib assembly
rope is reeved in the factory, but it appeared not to
run on the correct route on the review model.
However, re-reeving is fairly straightforward.
A comprehensive manual provides information about the
real machine. It has an illustrated parts list and many colour photos describe the assembly.
The review model was provided with the manual
electronically.
The model is a complex piece of model engineering. As the
manual advises, care is needed when handling the model.
Detail
The
underside of the carrier is very detailed.
The steering, suspension and transmission parts are modelled
and there are also many other details in the casting. The tyres
have a decent tread pattern, and the wheels are
detailed.
The carrier deck has diamond plated texturing. At the
front there are small round headlights and sharp
graphics and at the rear there is a place for a number
plate.
The large
cab has a detailed interior and a computer monitor is
visible.
The mirrors are metal and the windows have the seals
indicated. The body has City Boy graphics and
there are holes in each side to be able to operate the
winches with a supplied key. Tiny beacon lights
are modelled and behind the tower the pulleys for the
tower raising system are modelled.
The outriggers have metal beams with smooth faced
pistons, and the pads can be adjusted for transport
mode. They have sharp chevron graphics. Four metal spreader plates are
included.
The tower is a three stage telescopic structure. It has
a lattice cable rack with a soft cable run, and because
of the small scale the cab rail is modelled as solid
parts to be fitted by hand rather than telescopic as on
the real machine. A pin is used to lock the tower
upright, but it is a little large and extends beyond the
footprint of the model in travelling mode.
At the top of the tower is the cab winch and this
connects to the cab.
The jib is metal throughout. It is fully
triangulated and mechanically complex. The assembly
ropes, cables and ties are made to tight tolerances to
enable a good looking jib profile which was very good on
the review model. Small
metal pulleys are used throughout. The real crane
has a telescopic end section which has been provided as
a separate part because of the difficulty in modelling a
telescopic section in this scale. It has a tiny
beacon light at the tip.
The trolley is metal, and is more detailed than you usually see, and both it and the metal hook
for it have tiny
metal pulleys. Ropes to move the trolley can be fixed to
enhance the accuracy of the appearance although the
system is non-functional out of the box.
A solid metal
load block is also included.
Features
The carrier has independent steering on each axle so all
modes of steering can be reproduced and the range of
movement
is good. Each axle has sprung suspension.
The outriggers can be deployed and are strong enough to support
the weight of the model when erected, and they are reasonably
straight only losing straightness a little under full
extension.
A ladder on the crane body can be folded down.
The crane rotates smoothly.
A key is supplied to operate the various winches, and
they have positive brakes.
The cab
can be raised and lowered up and down the mast. The seat
in the cab can be rotated from the road driving to crane
driving positions.
The jib can be unfolded and either posed horizontal or
luffed at an angle just like the real crane.
The hook can be raised and lowered, but particular care
is required to maintain the hoist rope on the winch
drum, guiding it by hand if necessary.
The trolley can be positioned by hand. However, if the
ropes from the trolley winch are attached it becomes
difficult to move the trolley. A skilled modeller
may be able to convert it to a working trolley movement
system.
The system for raising the tower and the pulleys for that
function are modelled, and some rope has been reeved up
in the factory although it was not wound on all pulleys on
the review model.
The model appears to have a main focus of being
displayed fully erected. However, it is possible
to produce a reasonable transport mode.
Quality
This is a high quality technically complex model with a
high metal content.
The paintwork is very good and the graphics are
excellent.
Price
It is good value given the complexity and size.
Overall
This type of machine is a real challenge to model
accurately in 1:50 scale and WSI have made a very good
job of it. There are some inevitable compromises
but the focus on high detail has produced a very
authentic looking model.
Footnotes
The model first appeared at the BAUMA exhibition in April 2019
as a prototype, and became available in April 2020.
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| The parts out of the
box.
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| Very good steering. |
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| On the road.
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| Details at the rear. |
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| Fully erected. |
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| Geometry is very good. |
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| Crane is mounted off-centre,
just like the real crane. |
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| Cab raised to the top
of the tower. |
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| Fully erect with the
jib luffed. |
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