1:50th Scale Liebherr R944C Tunnelling Excavator
Presented here is the limited edition 1:50th scale Liebherr R944C tracked tunnelling excavator in Käppeli livery from NZG. The R944C tunnelling excavator is the largest in the range from Liebherr, weighing in at 43.5 tons with a powerful 6-cylinder D936L diesel engine generating 258hp. Käppeli is a fourth generation family owned business based in Sargans, Switzerland who specialise in a number of areas including road building, earthworks, demolition, transportation and house building. For further details of the company and to browse various pictures of the companies equipment and undertaken projects, check out their website.
NZG have done an amazing job in capturing the functionality and ruggedness of the machine with a host of details and features which stand out. The level of realism on this model appears to be higher than usual with some very intricate touches. Take the rear counterweight for instance, the lights are set back with tiny photo-etched protective plates covering them and even the silver bolt heads have been replicated.
The open ROPS cab has been cast with intricate front debris protection with integrated roof lights and grab handles. The safety aspects of the machine have been replicated with clear windows on the side and rear of the cab to simulate the lexan screens fitted to the full sized machine. The floor panel has a textured surface with the operator's console featuring a seat with integrated arm rests and joystick controls have all been replicated.
The model is supplied with two different work tools. The standard ripper bucket has an interesting design with shallow sides and three large teeth which have been captured very well.
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The second attachment is a milling cutter which has very realistic looking cutters mounted to the rotating spindle. Flexible piping has been added which push fits into the hole on the underside of the arm.
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The tunnelling boom has been accurately captured and features fully realistic movement. the attachment linkage has a quick coupler and the hydraulic for the tool linkage is hidden within the frame for total protection. |
The pivoting arm connected to the main boom can rotate to about 45 degrees on each side allowing the full profile of the working tool to be demonstrated. The back of the boom has silver painted, fixed piping leading to flexible hydraulic piping to the cylinders and this looks very realistic throughout.
The castings of the boom and arm have plenty of detail including lifting eyes and protective panels. Even the protection plates on the lift hydraulics have been added and, for extra realism, the bolt heads have been highlighted with silver.
The tracked undercarriage consists of individual metal track pads with dual grouser ridges and bolt fixing details cast into the surface of each pad. The track frames are tensioned allowing the track to remain tight but they can still be rotated and silver finished access steps are present on both sides. The undercarriage is fitted with a blade which can be raised and lowered.
The blade is used to provide stability during operation and by digging it into the ground, it acts as an anchor so that more force can be applied to the work tool. Lift up protective plates have been added over the hydraulics to round off an amazing model. The body castings have crisp cooling grill detailing with accurately scaled safety rails and grab handles whilst the body panels have door handle detailing which has been highlighted with paint to increase the level of realism.
Additional touches on the model include rear view mirrors along with a mirror on the rear couterweight to help the driver see behind the machine. This is one of the most interesting models Liebherr have commissioned and NZG have created a much welcomed replica in the distinctive green colours of Käppeli. The paint finish is exceptional with crisp printing of the Käppeli markings and highlighting of the bolt heads and safety labels.
