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| The box. |
 |
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| The impressive
Mercedes Benz Titan. |
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| The fifth wheel
is adjustable longitudinally. |
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| Detail behind the
cab. |
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| Rear towing hitch.
|
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| Very good details
underneath, and the steering of the axles is nicely proportional.
|
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| Crisp details at
the back. |
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| An impressive looking
vehicle and load. |
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| A definition of
heavy haulage. |
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| It makes a great
combination display when paired with the crane. |
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| Plenty of clearance
to get the trailer out. |
|
The Liebherr LTM11200-9.1 Mobile Crane
is rated at a maximum 1200t capacity and at the time of
the review is the largest mobile crane manufactured.
Because of its size, the boom cannot be transported on the
carrier with the rest of the crane so separate transport
is needed. It can be carried on standard heavy haulage
transport, but Nooteboom developed this special trailer
which was derived from the NLD-70 self-tracking dollies
used for windmill transport.
This version of the model is in Liebherr yellow to match
the factory coloured version of the crane model produced
by NZG. To read the review of the crane model click
here.
Packaging
The model comes in a typical WSI Collectibles branded box
which has a window allowing the model to be seen.
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. Various pins are supplied
to secure the boom to the trailer and the tractor, and there
are also parts to fit on the front and rear towing hitches
of the tractor. Fitting the boom to the model is best
done with the boom upside down as it makes it easier to
fit the pinned connections. Fitting the pins is tough,
and it is necessary to ease the parts carefully to make
the connections properly. NZG and WSI obviously co-operated
during the production of their respective models and it
is good to see the model fit together, even if it is not
easy and smooth.
Detail
The tractor is a Mercedes Benz Titan 8x4 and it looks like
a heavy piece of kit, even as a scale model. The cab
has the unique Nooteboom reference number for this model
which is T-008. The chassis detail is typically high
for WSI with the suspension and transmission realistically
modelled with perhaps a bit more metal than usual.
The wheel hubs are excellent and detailed with the tyres
having realistic treads.
At the front, the cab details are rendered strongly with
a nice chevron-marked bumper and tow hitch, and a number
plate. A separate protector can be fixed to the towing
hitch with a pin. The lights, mirrors and wipers are
fine and there are air horns and very good beacon lights
on the roof. Behind the cab, various ancillaries are
mounted, and although these are plastic, they look very
good. Between the rear axles is high quality diamond
plated walkway and plastic wheel arches. At the rear
the lights have plastic lenses and the towing hitch has
a guide chute which can be pinned to the hitch.
The trailer is based on a Mega Windmill Transporter dolly
as used on earlier WSI models. The detailing of the
axles is very good with the suspension and steering elements
finely made and small rubber tyres are mounted on detailed
hubs with plastic mudguards covering each wheel. The
structure of the trailer is cast well and some of the detailing
on it is first class with air tanks and lines running through
its length. There are excellent tiny graphics along
the trailer edges including the unique reference number
for the trailer which is OPL-006.
The trailer has a cradle which carries the boom and this
has a hydraulic steering mechanism. The adaptor on
the tractor's fifth wheel has an air tank and equipment
box. The tow bar is fixed to the rear of the trailer
and is not designed to be removed. In fact it can
be gently prised from its fitting but it is plastic so there
is a risk of breakage and it is therefore to the collector's
risk if removal is attempted. The tow bar does not
fit the towing hitch on the tractor and there is no connection
for it on the trailer, however the model can be posed in
a way to give the appearance that the tow bar is connected.
Features
The steering of the two linked front axles wheels on the
tractor works, but as usual for WSI models they have a very
limited range of movement.
The cab tilts forward by about 45° to provide access to
the engine.
The trailer has spring loaded suspension on the axles, and
the front and rear groups of three axles have linked steering.
These have a good range of movement, and are proportional
in nature.
Although the model is not designed to be shown in a configuration
using the tow bar it can be imitated if a collector wants
to take the risk removing the tow bar from the trailer.
In reality the tow bar is used for low speed shunting of
the trailer under or out from the jacked up boom, rather
than for road transport.
Quality
The model is of typically high quality just like other WSI
truck models, and plastic is carefully used to enhance detail.
The paintwork and graphics are very good quality.
Price
The model is a little expensive but it is high quality and
therefore reasonable value.
Overall
This is a model is to WSI's usual high standards of
detail and it is a great match for the NZG crane model,
even if it is a little unusual to see a truck in Liebherr
colours. It is highly recommended to owners of the
crane model.
Footnotes
The model was first shown in Liebherr yellow at the Nuremberg
Toy Fair in February 2010, and appeared for sale in April
2010. A version was also produced in Mammoet colours
with a MAN TGX Tractor.
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|
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| The parts out of
the box. |
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| It is posed in
a low speed towing formation although read the review regarding
the tow bar. |
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| Smooth body lines.
|
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| Tilting cab.
|
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| Underside view
shows great detail. |
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| The trailer.
The tow bar is fixed on top at the back. |
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| The linked steering
mechanism is visible. |
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| The trailer loaded
with the LTM11200-9.1
boom. |
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| The size of the
boom on the transporter is dramatic. |
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| Crane and transporter
posed ready to roll. |
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| At the job site,
the boom lifts itself off the transporter. |
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| With the tow bar
connected the tractor pulls the trailer away. |
|
