1:50th Scale Caterpillar AP600D Wheeled Asphalt Paver
Presented here is the 1:50th scale Caterpillar AP600D wheeled asphalt paver from Norscot. This is one of four new paver models representing both wheeled and tracked equipment and is the first paver Norscot have ever produced for Caterpillar. Two versions of the AP600D have been produced, with the version here having a canopy with a totally different rear screed and upper control console layout.
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The operator's station houses two drivers seats with contoured shaping and ridged support columns with a single control console housing switches, dials and the steering wheel.
The roof mounted warning beacons are integrated into the canopy moulding and painted orange where seperate tinted plastic lense beacons would have looked much better. |
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The canopy is fixed on plastic support bars and these are a little flimsy so caution needs to be used when handling the model. It would have been better to produce them in metal for a sturdier feel. The deck has a textured surface with safety rails added to both ends and access steps leading down to the AS4251C screed assembly. The hand rails are plastic rather than metal but are accurately scaled and look authentic. |
The detail is good throughout the model with the front hopper featuring folding hopper sides with black painted front edges simulating the rubber flaps found on the full sized paver. The bottom of the hopper has cast conveyor chain detail leading through to the rear auger and there is a fixed cast bumper bar along the front.
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The front wheels have been very nicely modelled with linked steering of each axle. While the movement is very limited due to the method of construction, this is an unexpected addition to the model and demonstrates the increasing level of detailing now found on Norscot models. The plastic wheels have black rubber tyre rings fitted which look very good indeed with cast fixing bolts on the hubs. |
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The rear screed fitted to the model is the AS4251C which has extending sections which, while a little stiff, do extend from the main body via twin hydraulic cylinders. The foot bar extends along with the end sections and accurately scaled railings are fitted to each end and centrally where the integrated access steps are replicated.
The whole screed unit is connected to four hydraulics which allow it to be raised/lowered. A nice touch on the model is that the tips of the arms can also be adjusted a little causing slight adjustment of the angle of the screed, just as on the full sized unit. The paint finish is very good with accurate placement of the Caterpillar markings and, for their first Cat paver, the results are very good. Pictured below are the canopy and non-canopy versions of the AP600D showing the vastly different rear screeds.
