Corgi CC14007 - Volvo FH, Nooteboom Step Frame Trailer, and Volvo EW180B
Model Review December 2009

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The Volvo FH and Nooteboom Step Frame Trailer with a Volvo EW180B as a load.

High quality box.

The model inside the box.

The parts out of the box.

Sharp decoration on the Volvo tractor.  The front axle cannot steer so the tractor can only be posed as in the photo.

Air lines at the rear.

Underside detail is fairly basic.

East West Haulage paint job is particularly good looking.

The Step Frame trailer with the two detachable ramps shown.

Underside detail.

Rear ramps.

The trailer is extendible.

The Volvo EW180B.

Unloading off the Nooteboom.

Stabilisers can hold the body up.

Reasonable cab detail.

Body casting is good.

Carrying a longer load on the extended trailer: the Komatsu PC450LC Demolition Excavator.

The EW180B loading a MAN Tipper.

This model is from the Corgi Heavy Haulage series.  It is in the colours of East West Haulage, which is a Scottish company that operates throughout the UK.  Unusually for a heavy haulage model, it also includes a load, the Volvo EW180B, which has been sourced from Motorart.

The vehicle is manufactured by Corgi in China, and the wheeled loader is made by Motorart in the same country.

Packaging

The model comes in some very high quality packaging.  The box has a high gloss finish with a very good photo of the model, and it all has the feeling of a presentation box.  Inside, the model is contained within expanded polystyrene trays with clear plastic formers holding the parts.  With the box quality being this good, it is no surprise there was no damage on the review model.

Included with the model is an information leaflet which gives some background to the livery.  There is also a printed card which can be used as a nameplate to describe the model in a display position. Collectability is further enhanced with the model being uniquely numbered within the production run.

The only assembly required is to attach the door mirrors to the Volvo FH cab, and some tail lights to the rear of the trailer.

Detail

The Volvo FH tractor unit has most parts in metal.  Underneath there is some simple detailing of the transmission system.  The tyres are good, but are the same on each wheel rather than having different ones on the front axle. The hubs are well detailed and look good.

The cab has mirrors and windscreen wipers, and a dummy towing hitch at the front.  On the roof there are a couple of convincing orange beacon lights and air horns.  Interior detail is basic.  Behind the cab, there are metal mudguards and a nice set of air lines. 

 It is interesting to compare the Volvo FH model to the real truck bearing the same number plate on the East West website.  A number of differences can be seen. The light bar has lights which are relatively rather smaller, and more significantly the real truck is a shorter wheel base vehicle and the fuel tank is not the same.  The real truck also does not have the towing hitch at the front.

The trailer has a reasonable structure underneath, and the bed has a very good wood effect surface, with diamond plating over the wheels.  The tyres and hubs look fine.  At the back there are light clusters, a number plate and the Nooteboom logo.  The overall level of detail on the trailer is satisfactory, if not to the highest standards of modern models.

The Volvo excavator is simply detailed underneath, and the tyres are mounted on plastic hubs.  The stabiliser pads are plastic which shows a little as the colour match is slightly off.  The cab detail is quite good with a metal grab rail, windscreen wiper, mirror and beacon light (which is yellow).  The body casting is fine, with grilles and handles detailed.  There are some nice small graphics on the rear end.  The boom and bucket are all metal with just a simple level of detailing, and some hydraulic lines running from the body.

Features

The trailer has a pair of ramp panels which can be placed on the bed to provide wheeled access up on to the gooseneck, and the rear loading ramps fold down.  The bed is also extendible which significantly increases the length of the model.  The axles have a degree of float, which could be taken to represent suspension.

The wheeled loader has stabilisers which can be lowered and they will hold the weight of the model.  The stabiliser blade also raises and lowers. All of the basic excavator movements can be replicated.

The model is good quality with the castings being fine, and plastic generally used thoughtfully. The paintwork is very good and the visual appearance of the model is its strong point.

Price

The model is good value given that it includes a plant model also.

Overall

This is a good looking combination from Corgi with the East West livery being particularly striking.  The addition of a plant model is a good idea, although the Volvo 180B is an older generation basic model by current standards, and some collectors may want to put on an alternative load for display purposes.  The tractor and trailer are less detailed and have fewer features than on more recent models from other manufacturers, and it is not an accurate rendition, but overall it is recommended.