Komatsu PC400LC Tracked Excavator
Presented here is the 1:50th scale Komatsu PC400LC tracked excavator from Universal Hobbies. The first thing you notice about the model is the close resemblence to the previously released PC450 although, the addition of a tilting cab with full debris protection on a standard boomed excavator is a strange choice, clearly made to reduce the development costs of the model. This is very dissapointing from Universal Hobbies as they have gone to the trouble of producing a new boom and bucket and, in my opinion, this really lets down the model.
There is no denying that the level of detail is fantastic, as it usually is from Universal Hobbies but, with the larger models, the quality of assembly is rather poor with loose hydraulics, restricted movement and, on the sample reviewed here, bent hydraulic pistons. The addition of a removable bucket is a nice touch, although the bucket is metal and is too heavy for the plastic boom so the boom cannot be positioned as required. Again, another flaw in what could have been a good model.
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The hydraulic pipework from the pumps to the cylinders looks great with all the check valve detail added, along with silver painted additional piping on the back of the boom. The cab interior is finely detailed with all controls visible through the clear windows, including the Komatsu logo on the seat. The cab can be tilted to about 15 degrees although there is no resistance so it does not stay tilted and for a standard excavator, this looks wierd. The cab exterior has windscreen wipers, lights, grab rails, access steps and rear view mirrors fitted and there is a warning beacon fitted on the roof along with debris protection for the front and roof windows. |
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The paint finish is fair although patchy in places and the assembly is less than perfect which is another dissapointment. It is strange that, all the small models produced by Universal Hobbies are stunning while their larger construction models are lacking in quality. Even holding the model, I feel that something will break at any moment. Certainly not one of their best, especially at a retail price of £59.99