TWH 003 - Grove GMK 3055 Mobile Crane
Model Review September 2005

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Crisp lines and sharp details make a good looking model.

Grove picture sleeve covers the box.

The manual is really an information brochure on the real machine.

Two winch drums are provided, but only one hook.

Fine details on the wing mirror and a loop for attaching the hook when travelling.

Weights of each counterweight slab are marked on.

The Grove GMK 3055 is one of the first models to emerge from TWH. Manufactured in China, it is sold outside the USA under the NZG banner as model number 601. It is 1:50 scale.

Packaging

The model is packaged in a high quality picture box which contains a two piece polystyrene tray. Included is a Product Guide in English giving plenty of information about the real machine including a couple of magazine reprints, specifications, dimensions and lifting charts and this represents a good step forward for other model makers to follow.  Strangely the front cover contents list indicates 20 pages when the booklet is only 12 pages.  There are no instructions for the model itself which is a pity as a guide as to how the fly jib should be mounted would be useful. The review model was undamaged.

Detail

First impressions of the model are good.  The tyres are mounted on plastic hubs but they are painted so they look as good as metal. Underneath the carrier, the engine and prop shafts are modelled.

At the front the lights are modelled in the bodywork with tiny plastic lenses.  A wire loop is provided for attaching the hook when the crane is in transport mode - a good detail. The windscreen wipers are part of the windscreen but painted black and hence look effective and 'Grove' is printed on to add to the look.  The mirrors on the doors are provided separately and have to be fitted.  They are some of the best mirrors seen on a model of this scale with very thin support frames. The top of the cab is completed with a beacon light.  Inside the cab has some simple detail.

The rest of the carrier has metal outriggers, a good exhaust stack and compressor (both plastic) and at the rear a spare wheel is fitted and the lights are painted on.

The crane body itself is well detailed.  Looking at the operator's cab the detail is extremely fine with the grab rail being as thin as you are likely to see on a model of this scale.  Close inspection reveals that the cab is in fact fully plastic which comes as a surprise because the colour is such a convincing match to the rest of the model. At the rear the counterweight appears a solid piece, permanently fixed. In fact the bottom three plates can be removed using a screwdriver underneath the counterweight. These plates are three separate castings and it is a pity that the carrier does not have some locating pins behind the cab for locating the plates during transport. Casting details on the counterweight are excellent including having the Grove name embossed at the rear.  The tops of the boxes on either side of the crane are also plastic but again the colour match is excellent.

The boom comprises a six section telescope and detail on the lowest boom section is good with plastic cable spools fixed on each side.  The smaller one even has rope wound on it but as the spool does not turn it can issue out cable as the boom is extended.  At the boom head plastic pulleys are provided and unfortunately these are one piece parts so the pulleys can not move independently. The hook is metal and very good.  A two-piece metal fly jib is provided which pins together and to the boom head. It also includes a hydraulic cylinder to replicate the luffing ability of the real fly jib.

Page 1  2  2008 Revision