 | | The Mammoet box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box including numbered certificate. |  | | At the rear air lines are provided for the trailer, and there is excellent detailing between axle 1 and 2. |  | | The cab tilts to reveal the engine. |  | | The trailer loaded with the transformer. |  | | Proportional rear steering on the trailer axles. |  | | Here the transformer is sitting on the timbers which can be used to widen the deck. |  | | The transformer is attached to the crane hook using the Chains and Hooks accessory. It is obviously not as heavy as it looks based on the rigging of the Liebherr by the Cranes Etc crew. |  | | The tractor and gooseneck disconnected from the trailer. |  | | Loading the Soilmec SR-70. |
| Mammoet have marketed a long line of scale models in their red and black livery and these have included cranes and heavy haulage. This is a model of a DAF XF 95 four axle tractor with a Nooteboom Euro-78-04 Low Loader.
The low loader can have a maximum allowable weight of 30t at the kingpin, and 12t per axle making a total of 60t at 80km/h from which the self weight of 20t is deducted to give a load carrying capacity of 58t. At slower speeds the capacity increases and it can carry 82t at 20km/h.
Packaging
The model comes in the typical high quality Mammoet style of box with photos on the sleeve, and inside the model is securely contained within a polystyrene tray with a clear plastic former acting as a lid. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
No instructions are included and it would certainly benefit from some to describe the fitting of the small parts supplied and similarly some information on the real machine would be appreciated too. A small amount of assembly is required to fit the various parts, which is straightforward.
A numbered Mammoet Certificate card is also included which helps increase the collectability of the model.
Detail
The DAF tractor has a very detailed chassis with all the main suspension and traction components present, with the universal couplings on the prop shaft being particularly good. The tyres have a good tread pattern which is different between the front and rear pairs of axles, and the hubs have very good detail. At the front, the cab has nice lights with spotlights on the roof, and air horns, wing mirrors, windscreen wipers and orange beacon lights. The graphics are neat and include a 'Convoi Exceptionnel' sign and, unusually, an STGO marking which is a welcome detail for European collectors.
Behind the cab, there is a set of air lines to plug into the trailer and the fuel tanks are rendered well. Diamond plated surfacing extends back to the fifth wheel, and plastic mud guards cover the rear three axles with a nice light bar at the back.
Turning to the Euro Low Loader, looking underneath the axles are detailed with suspension components, although there is none of the replica cabling seen on some later WSI models. The hubs are nicely detailed with good treaded tyres. At the rear there are a couple of orange beacon lights, another 'Convoi' sign, and the mud flaps have the Nooteboom name printed on.
The bed itself is good. The timber surfacing is plastic but has a realistic look with the screw pattern visible. The structure is well formed and the only detail missing which would have been nice is some points to fix tying-down chains or straps. Plastic wide load hazard signs clip into the side of the bed just in front of the first axle.
The gooseneck is a very nice piece of modelling. A control console is modelled on one side and there are a set of cables which run and plug into the bed. On the underside the cables run to the gooseneck hydraulic rams also. A set of wheel chocks is modelled on the opposite side. The top has diamond plated surfaces and a spare wheel is contained within the enclosure behind the headboard. A choice of warning signs clips into the gooseneck structure. At the front of the gooseneck the Nooteboom name has been beautifully added into the casting.
The Smit transformer appears to be of a medium power unit and is an interesting accessory and makes a good load. It is fairly heavy and it is made of resin rather than metal. Not that it matters, because it is a nice item with a well modelled structure, and rivets detailed, together with pipe work. In fact it could have been better because the points where lifting eyes should be are provided but without holes so hanging from a crane is not as easy or realistic as it could have been.
Features
The tractor unit has linked steering on the front two axles and this works well although the lock is somewhat limited. The cab tilts forward fully to reveal the detailed engine. Airlines can be extended and slotted into receiving holes in the trailer.
The rear steering on the trailer is really good, being proportional, and therefore looks realistic. The bed of the trailer also disconnects from the gooseneck, so authentic looking trailer loading sequences are possible.
The bed itself is extendible in order to carry longer loads, and it can also be made a little wider by the addition of timber strips to each side. These are fitted onto tiny fold-out supports which run down each side of the length of the bed.
Quality
WSI have produced a high quality model. The castings and paintwork are very good, and plastic, where used, is not detrimental to the look or feel of the model.
Price
The model is good value overall.
Overall
This is a very nice model and both heavy haulage and Mammoet fans alike will be pleased to own it. It was one of the first models produced by WSI and is a very good effort. The quality is high and with the inclusion of the transformer there is enough functionality to enable a variety of interesting display poses. It is highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model was introduced at the European Modelshow in Bemmel (Holland) in 2006. In Mammoet colours it was made in a limited run of 1000 models. The Nooteboom EURO-78-04 trailer has been paired with a number of other tractor units as alternative models. The Smit transformer has WSI model number 9038.
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|  | | Inside the box. |  | | The DAF XF 95 tractor unit. The front two axles steer. |  | | Cab profile view. A fine gauge grab rail sits by the air lines. |  | | The chassis is very detailed. |  | | The control panel for the gooseneck is above axle four on the tractor. |  | | The transformer is an interesting accessory piece. |  | | A Liebherr LTM1300 prepares to lift the transformer. |  | | Underside of the trailer has good structure and detail, and the detailing of the timbers is present here too. |  | | Extension boards can be fitted on to the fold-out supports. |  | | The trailer can be extended, and here the extension boards are added to make it wider. |  | | Carrying a Soilmec SR-70. |
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