MAN TGX 41.540 10x8 with Faymonville Variomax
Drop-Centre Extending Trailer
Presented here is the 1:50th scale Faymonville Variomax drop-centre extending semitrailer with MAN TGX 41.540 10x4 prime mover from Conrad. The model has been decorated in the Faymonville house colours with crisp printing of the company details all around the tractor unit.
The rear module has five axle lines with the ability to individually raise the axles off the ground. Each axle has a working suspension system with a nicely engineered steering mechanism that allows good steering movement so that, as one axle is adjusted, the other axles also turn on both sides of the module. The wheels themselves are connected to the suspension arm in a way that allows them to pivot.
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The front module houses 2 axle-lines which also have a linked steering system that achieves a good range of movement.
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The rear of the model has extending "Wide Load" panels that have a chevron printed pattern. The rear panel has a printed chevron pattern with a full length black painted mud flap with printing of the Faymonville website details and logos. As with the rear module, the arms can be adjusted to raise/lower the module and a small steering cylinder has been added for extra realism. |
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The main trailer deck connects to the rear module with a plastic pin which extends out to simulate the pin mechanism on the full sized trailer. On each side of the deck, arms can be rotated outwards to widen the carrying capability of the deck and this works very well. |
Plastic deck boards then fit onto the extended arms and small slots on the underside of the boards line up with the arms to keep the boards in position. The deck is telescopically extendable to allow carrying of long loads and even at full extension, the bed feels sturdy with hardly any droop. |
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The gooseneck is just about long enough to connect with the fifth wheel and has a storage area with silver side panels and a spare wheel holder which is populated with two spare wheels. The neck angle can be adjusted with the rams strong enough to hold at the chosen position while extending "wide load" panels are integrated into the structure.
The MAN TGX 10x4 prime mover is decorated in a plain white colour with some excellent graphic decoration around the cab. The model features a tilting cab revealing the engine block at the heart of the chassis with a steering rear axle which can be cleverly raised off the ground.
The cab's side panels have accurate panel detailing with amber warning beacons and a chromed light bar mounted to the roof and self-fit rear view mirrors with reflective lenses and white painted front surfaces. The cab interior has been replicated and is visible through the front and side windows with plastic inserts above the cab doors, complete with yellow rental messages.
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The lower body panel has a V shape with cutouts revealing the black plastic radiator grill which has a finely textured surface. A red & white chevron pattern is printed onto the panel which has integrated lights with clear plastic lens covers.
The pivoting fifth wheel coupling is fixed a fair way back on the chassis with a towing hitch fixed to the end of the frame. Plastic wheel covers are fitted with integrated light housings and simulated mud flaps.
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The frame behind the cab houses a full width fuel tank with a small rectangular tank with modeled filler and a four compartment storage box with integrated rear facing light housings. |
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The rear cab panel has more small printing which is clearly readable despite the small size. |
The underside of the MAN TGX 41.540 has a replicated drive train between the two driven rear axles although, due to the construction of the front two axles, the drive shaft is not modeled between the engine mounding and the driven axles. The front two axles do have working, linked steering and achieve a reasonable degree of turn while the rear tag axle has functioning steering and the ability to raise up and lock in position off the ground.
The rear driven axles float within the frame, simulating the suspension of the full sized truck and the tyres have a detailed tread pattern molded into the surfaces with intricately detailed chromed plastic wheel hubs with black centres. The paint finish is excellent with quality printing of the various markings, logos and text found throughout the model.
