Liebherr R970 SME Tracked Excavator
Presented here is the 1:50th scale Liebherr R970 SME tracked excavator which has been produced by WSI Models. This is the first Liebherr construction model from WSI and they have done an excellent job capturing every aspect of the R970.
The R970 SME is a purpose built mass excavator weighing in at around 78 ton using the body of the R966 and the undercarriage of the R976 for increased stability with an increased power output of 449hp and the SME mass excavating boom and stick giving it higher digging and breakout forces to handle the most rugged applications with ease.
The service walkways running along both sides of the body have photo-etched perforated panels which look great with metal grab rails running along the upper sides of the engine housing and a photo-etched grill inset into the side body panel.
The model is based on the quarrying specification with added optional equipment including the very crisply modelled FOPS roof guard and front FGPS rock guard fitted to the cabin. The cabin interior has been finished in a light colour with the seat, joysticks and foot controls highlighted with black paint while the exterior of the cabin is fitted with metal grab rails, a rear view mirror and a radio aerial.
The hoist and bucket cylinders have been fitted with ram guards and these are engineered to operate smoothly which look very realistic, allowing the boom, stick and bucket to move through the full range of movement.
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The hydraulic hose detailing is another area of the model which looks so realistic, consisting of silver coloured raised piping on the back of the boom which terminates in flexible black hoses that connect to the piping added to the cylinders. The ground engaging details on the bucket are superb, with the individual teeth having an accurate contour with tiny raised handling eyes added, used on the rear machine to aid in lifting the teeth into position. The underside and corner wear plating has also been added with cutting blades integrated between the teeth. |
The undercarriage is constructed with tensioned idlers keeping the individually linked track pads taut with the lower rollers integrated into the track frame casting. Two ladders are installed on each track frame for easy access to the cabin and service platform and these are finished in a silver colour.
WSI Models have produced what, in my opinion, has to be one of the top models of 2014 and with the Liebherr R914 Compact also expected soon, I can only hope they continue to produce further Liebherr construction models in the future to this excellent level of detail and realism.
