Conrad Model Reviews

The box.

Inside, very high quality packaging protects the model perfectly.

The various parts out of the box.

Excellent metal tracks and a debris guard on the tilting cab are the main body differences from the standard Conrad CX800 excavator model (model 2912).

As an excavator the CX800 looks great.

The demolition arm makes a great transport load.

This 1:50 scale model is of the demolition version of the Case CX800 Excavator. It is one of the larger machines of this type and features a telescopic boom which enables high reach for the jaws up multi-storey buildings.

The model comes in a larger-than-expected high quality box. No particular detail is printed on the outside regarding the machine. Inside the packaging is top quality with the various pieces of the model securely held within foam rubber. The review model was completely unmarked and undamaged.

No instructions are provided with the model and assembly of the pieces is fairly intuitive but a simple sheet containing some diagrams would have been helpful for those with little experience of model collecting. Some information about the real machine would also be appreciated by collectors.

The first and immediate reaction to the model is how solid and heavy it is. In fact the body without attachments weighs in at about 1.3kg (3lbs) and feels like solid metal.

The heavy weight kicks in with the track frames and metal tracks. The frames are detailed enough although the idlers are not moving parts, and the drive sprockets have some detail. The tracks are made up of a large number of individual links and the overall effect is very pleasing.

The body casting has a variety of detail such as grilles and hatch handles, and there is a degree of texture on the walkway on the driver's side. A feature is the very good metal handrails and ladders. The cab has basic internal detail such as seats and controls, and the body of the cab is a fine casting. A plastic debris guard covers the front and top windscreens.

The first stage of the boom has hydraulic hosing detail cast in to the top and at the base plastic hosing takes this into the body. Small rubber lights are attached on either side of the boom. The twin hydraulic cylinders have plastic jackets but fortunately the colour match to the paint is very good.

The digging arm is all metal except for the hydraulic cylinder jackets and hydraulic hosing which are plastic. The bucket is particularly good with serious looking teeth and the 'Case' name embossed within the casting. A simple stand is included which holds the digging arm when not fixed to the machine.

The demolition arm is a similarly heavy duty piece of model with plastic for the same items as on the bucket arm. The casting has hose lines and various other plates and covers which provide detail. The jaws are a very effective piece of scale modelling with various rivets and substantial teeth. A stand is provided to hold the demolition arm and consists of two large metal frames held together by two smaller plastic pieces.