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| Tough looking cookie. |
Sword 2042 - Peterbilt 357 with East
Genesis Dump Body
Model Review February 2008
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| Tough looking cookie. |
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| Usual Sword box style. |
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The model and bags of small parts. |
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| The distinctive Peterbilt front. |
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| Excellent detail on the tailgate. |
Peterbilt of the USA has a long history as a truck maker having been founded in 1938. This is a model of the type 357 chassis mounted with an East Genesis Dump body. The East Trailer company was founded in 1968 and is one of the larger trailer manufacturers in the US. All its dump trailers are made of aluminium.
This is a 1:50 scale model marketed by Sword Precision Scale Models. The model is actually made in China by TWH and has TWH model number 036.
Packaging
The model is packed in a standard Sword Models box which has the model name on it but no pictures or other information. Inside, the model is well packed within a couple of expanded polystyrene trays and polythene wrapping. The review model had a small pin missing from the rear of the body but this was replaced by using a spare, and a further pin was sent by the manufacturer straight away without quibble.
Included in the box are some small bags of parts to fit including the wing mirrors and air horns, a cover for the batteries and, thoughtfully, some extra tie downs and pins. It is fairly intuitive where the parts go but a simple instruction leaflet would benefit the novice collector.
Detail
The chassis is very detailed. At the rear the two driving axles are complete with prop shafts and differentials and replicated suspension details, and the working lift axle has a simple beam arrangement. The rear driving wheels have very good metal hubs with finely treaded tyres, and there are rubber mud flaps on the rear wheels. Towards the front the underside of the engine is visible and the exhaust pipe trails out to the side of the body. Pleasingly, the front wheels and lift axle wheels are on different metal hubs, and these are also different to those on the rear wheels.
The imposing front of the Peterbilt is modelled very well with a superb finely etched radiator grille. The bumper is metal and the headlight clusters have lenses incorporated for both headlamps and indicators. Both on the top of the radiator and on the sides of the bonnet (hood) there are tiny Peterbilt badges which are perfectly legible. The wheel arches have an excellent rubber lining which become mud flaps behind the wheels. Under the bonnet is a detailed engine, with a separate radiator, and there are various pipes and hoses.
The cab detail is all of an excellent standard. On one side batteries are modelled underneath a removable cover. On the opposite side there is a top notch fuel tank. The steps to the cab have nicely patterned treads. The exhaust stack has a grab handle and it is good to see an exhaust pipe that has a hole and looks like a pipe. There is lots of chrome work around the top of the cab with very good metal wing mirrors, lights and air horns. The model makers have chosen to leave the main windows off of the cab doors presumably to replicate the truck appearing 'in use' but it would probably look a little better with the windows in. Inside, the cab is also detailed with the steering column having a tiny stalk below the wheel.
