 | | The box. |  |  | | The parts out of the box. |  | | The graphics on the cab door are very fine with even the smallest writing being legible. |  | | Underside view. |  | | Very nice detail and graphics. |  | | The Oviform beams making up the deck are rendered underneath the trailer. |  | | Fine graphics and yellow stripe on the trailer edge. |  | | The Telestep extended to its maximum is perfectly strong. |  | | The telescopic beam is rigid and does not sag. |  | | The steering is shown at maximum lock. |  | | Parked with its brother, the OSDS 3-axle. |
| Dufour SA is one of the largest haulage and craneage companies in Belgium and Northern France. It was founded in 1957 and has diversified to include general civil engineering and demolition plant also. This model is in the colours of Dufour.
The trailer modelled is the OVB-65-04 V(ZT) which is a four axle Telestep extendible to 48m. It is used in the wind turbine industry to carry the windmill blades or the narrower top sections of windmill towers, and also for carrying long steelwork sections or other loads which need to be moved in one piece.
Packaging
The model comes in a Nooteboom branded box which contains a typical WSI expanded polystyrene tray with a clear former on top. There were no defects or missing parts on the review model.
There is no information about the real trailer, or instructions for the model but the only assembly required is fitting the deck post holder and deck posts.
Detail
The tractor is a Volvo 8x4 unit which certainly looks good in Dufour colours and the quality of the graphics is excellent and even the smallest writing is legible. Details underneath are great with all the transmission and suspension rendered well. The detailed wheel hubs have tyres with differing tread patterns on the steering and driven axles.
The front of the cab has the usual details of lights, number plate and windscreen wipers and there is a 'Convoi Exceptionnel' sign which adds to the realism. A beacon light bar and multiple air horns are on the roof. Behind the cab the equipment tower has tanks and cabinets and a set of air lines allows connection to a trailer. Plastic wheel arches cover the rear wheels and the rear lights have plastic lenses.
The trailer is highly detailed. The real deck is made up of hardwood timbers within omega profile beams and the model replicates this really well on the top surface with the timbers also including screw positions. Turn the model over and the underside of the deck renders the omega profile perfectly which is an excellent detail. Staying underneath, the structure is modelled very well, with the support for equipment boxes and spare wheel storage made of plastic. The axles are very detailed, including the suspension, and there is hosing running to each wheel and the telescopic main member. The first axle also has the lift cylinder to make it a lift axle, although it is non-functioning on the model.
At the front there are a couple of landing legs with a blue tipped winding handle, and a control box with cables coming out. An accurately coloured yellow stripe runs along the deck edges. The headboard is a metal casting and includes a connection box for lines from the tractor. At the rear there are wheel chocks stowed under the trailer, and there are good quality lights, sign and number plate.
The telescopic main member is beautifully made as it is aluminium rather than diecast allowing accurate thin walled beams to be modelled. They replicate the structure of the real beam with the vertical sides stepped in from the top and bottom flanges and have very high quality painting and graphics applied.
A separate pack of metal deck posts are provided which plug into holes in the deck edge. Also included is a holder for the deck posts and this clips in place just behind the headboard.
Features
The front axles of the Volvo are linked and they steer but the range of movement is limited. The cab tilts well to reveal the engine. The fifth wheel is adjustable, and has a significant range of movement.
The trailer functionality is excellent. The telescopic beam extends very smoothly and feels really nice to use, and the overall length of the tractor and trailer reaches over 90cm (3ft). It also includes a moving transverse beam on the front section of the telescope.
The four axles have working suspension and they are all connected together and steer proportionally to achieve a good angle. Underneath the trailer, the landing legs can be screwed down to provide support when disconnected from the tractor.
The deck posts can be fitted or omitted as desired.
Quality
This model is very high quality throughout, with the combination of very good model engineering and excellent paintwork and graphics combining really well.
Price
This model is good value given the limited numbers made in this livery.
Overall
The Telestep trailer is an outstanding model and the combination with the Volvo tractor in the Dufour livery looks really good and makes for an outstanding model.
Footnotes
The model became available in June 2010.
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|  | | Inside the sleeve is a typical WSI tray. |  | | The Volvo looks impressive. |  | | Rear view. |  | | Tilting cab. |  | | The underside of the trailer is very detailed. |  | | Headboard and landing legs. |  | | The deck post storage holder. |  | | Loaded with a very long fabricated beam. |  | | Loaded with other beams. Rear steering works well. |  | | The Telestep closed up with another beam fabrication. |
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