 | | The box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | Hydraulic lines behind the cab. Outrigger pads are pinned so that they do not stick outside the line of the crane. |  | | Very good details underneath. |  | | Excellent looking overall profile. |  | | Extending the outrigger before centering it over the spreader plate. |  | | Set up to lift with the dummy Liebherr ingot. |  | | Boom and hook details. |
| The Liebherr 1050-3.1 is a 50 tonne capacity three axle crane with a maximum lifting height of 54m. As such it is a popular size of crane with many crane operating companies.
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. A simple instruction sheet would be helpful to the inexperienced collector.
Detail
The first impression of the model is that it is highly detailed, as might be expected from WSI. 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.
The details on the carrier are of a very high standard. Some of the graphics are absolutely tiny and they add greatly to the realistic look of the crane. At the rear, there is a tool box and very fine detailing of the light bar and number plate. The driving cab is great too. 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 is also modelled.
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.
A particularly nice feature on this model 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. This is the first time this feature has been replicated on a model. 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. Another first is the access platform to the side of the cab which slides in and out so can be retracted for transport which looks much more realistic.
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 rather than the optional two winch set up available on the real crane.
Detailing on the boom includes various spooling drums and cable runs, and looks very good, and the inner boom sections are painted two tone yellow and grey which is very smart. At the boom head individual metal pulleys provide smooth running.
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. The thread used for the hoist rope looks fine, but is prone to twisting which can be frustrating when trying to pose the model.
Although the hook can be reeved onto the fly jib, a single line hook would have looked better.
Features
Each axle can steer independently so the crane can be posed with crab steering if required. 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 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.
A key is provided to operate the winch but on the review model the winch was fairly loose so it would not hold any significant load. 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.
Quality
As usual for WSI 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 very good value for a highly detailed model.
Overall
This is an excellent mobile crane model and it is a credit to WSI. They can produce it in special colours with orders as low as 100 models, so it would be a great promotional model for crane hire companies. It can be posed in many interesting ways and it is certainly highly recommended.
Footnotes
The model was first displayed at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in February 2010 and was on sale from March. A version in McNally's livery is reviewed here., and in Sarens livery here.
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|  | | The model in the box. |  | | Smart detailing makes the model look good on the road. |  | | Equipment boxes and frames at the rear. |  | | A faceless member of the Cranes Etc team wonders if the model is real. |  | | Counterweight stacked on the carrier. |  | | Top down. |  | | Lifting a load using the fly jib. The truck is a Dennison trailer. |
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