Mercedes Benz Actros MP3 8x4 with Brechtel Recovery Body
Presented here is the 1:50th scale Mercedes Benz Actros 8x4 truck chassis with updated Brechtel truck recovery body from Conrad. The paint finish is excellent with a very detailed graphical design all round the model.
The cab tilts forward to uncover the metal engine block mounted to the chassis and the large chromed exhaust stack has an intricate photo-etched cooling jacket which looks very authentic with a metal frame on the opposite side of the chassis, cleverly integrated into the contours of the bodywork
The cab doors have handle detail cast into the surface and highlighted with black for added effect with silver highlighted access steps leading up to the cab. The sun visor fitted above the windscreen has a central silver section, a highlight of the new cab aesthetics and the interior has been replicated with the moulded dashboard and ridged seats clearly visible. The front of the roof panel has two holes where the flexible plastic aerials need fitting while holes in the cab frame allow the rear view mirrors to be easily fitted while the roof has twin amber beacons and chromed air horns fitted.
The cab features a new casting with crisply modelled grills and the chromed Mercedes logo is prominently displayed centrally. Integrated driving lights with clear plastic lenses have been added to the bumper with small amber indicator lights on the corners and a textured plastic grill visible through the cut-outs.
The recovery body has been updated with a different contour providing a sleaker appearance coupled with a more roomy and spacious inside area which is complemented with fuel and hydraulic fluid tanks. The main boom is hinged and can be raised/lowered with stiff hydraulics allowing the boom to remain in the chosen position.
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The lower side panels are hinged allowing the separate towing brackets to be stored when not in use which is a nice addition on the model |
Once removed, they slide onto the rear towing frame which is hydraulically controlled allowing it to raise/lower and also change the angle of the arm.
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The tip of the towing bar can pivot and has a twin-stage telescopic extension allowing it to recover any heavy haulage prime mover with ease. The towing frame is dual-purpose, with two pulleys fixed to the tip of the frame. The entire recovery body is an update to the previous release with the pair of functional winches mounted to the back of the recovery boom. |
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The rear of the chassis has pull down plastic stabilisers offering stability and a good footing during recovery operations with a good range of movement of the main recovery frame.
The printwork all around the model has been very nicely applied with the artwork on the body sides particularly well applied. The silver hand rails along the sides of the body are accurately scaled and the large amber light bar looks the part. As can be seen from the image above, the contours of the body have been revised from the previous release with an open design showing several tanks at the heart of the chassis
The front axles have working steering and are fitted with accurately moulded rubber tyres which have a detailed road tread pattern along with chromed wheel hubs. The rear axles are mounted to the chassis with simulated and non-functional suspension which keep the axles rigid. A drive shaft is connected between the rear axle hubs and to the front transmission block.
