Mercedes Benz Actros MP3 with Meiller Dump Body and towed Dump Trailer

Presented here is the limited edition 1:50th scale Mercedes Benz Actros 3-axle truck chassis and towed 2-axle trailer with Meiller 3-way tipping bodies from Conrad. The model is decorated in the Eurovia company livery.

Both the main and trailer dump bodies have hinged side doors which drop down from the lower edge, allowing the truck to discharge the material away from the side of the chassis. The pivoting tailgates can also be opened with both bodies achieving a reasonable tipping height.

The engineering of the 3-way tipping linkage is good, with two metal bars with ball ends secured to the chassis and plastic bars on the underside of the body which connect with the metal bars. Posing the body in the required tipping mode is achieved by choosing which connections are made between the ball joints and sockets.

Fuel and air tanks are fitted to the chassis frame along with a rear towing pintle and push bar whilst plastic guards are fitted above the rear wheels. The front axle has working steering which achieves a good range of movement with all wheels fitted with accurately moulded rubber tyres which have a detailed road tread pattern along with silver wheel hubs. The drivetrain has been replicated with a driveshaft fitted from the gearbox to the first of the rear axles. A small driveshaft is then connected to the rear axle and both are housed in a replicated suspension frame which offers a little pivoting movement.

The cab interior is visible through the clear glazed windows and rear view mirrors are supplied in the box and need fitting to the model by inserting into the pre drilled holes in the cab frame. The cab can be tilted forward to reveal the modelled engine block within along with the chrome finished exhaust silencer box with the Mercedes logo embossed across the front surface.

The underside of the trailer has pivoting axles offering a little suspension movement with curved plastic wheel arches and a front stabiliser which extends down from the chassis to keep the trailer level when disconnected from the truck.

This is another good addition to the rapidly expanding range of models from the Vinci Group. The truck is pictured below alongside the Eurovia 4-axle Actros from NZG.