Mammoet National 1300H on Peterbilt 357 Chassis
Presented here is the 1:50th scale National Crane 1300H boom truck on a Peterbilt 357 chassis. The first thing that you notice is the shear amount of detail and functional features on the model and this level of engineering places TWH at the forefront of model development.
The Peterbilt chassis features fully working sprung suspension with front wheel steering and full drive shaft detailing from the front mounted engine to the rear drive hubs. Hydraulic hoses run under the chassis to the four extending outriggers while the exhaust pipe is visible on the underside of the model from the engine to the side mounted chromed exhaust stack with fine detailed photo etched mesh finish. The front fenders have flexible rubber flaps extending from the edge while the peterbilt logo is printed on the bonnet sides and front. The bonnet opens forward to reveal the fully detailed engine bay beneath with the engine block, radiator, air cleaner and other components all fully modelled. The front of the bonnet has a fine photo etched mesh grill with chromed bumper and light clusters, complete with glazed lenses all fitted .There is a mounting point for the functional front mounted stabiliser jack to be fitted and this is pinned into place with flexible hydraulic hoses to give that extra bit of realism.
The 360 degree rotational crane boom is connected to the slewing ring mounted behind the cab and has two outriggers integral to the casting. The outriggers extend from the chassis and have jack legs which can be raised / lowered by rotating the pads. The model features a functional boom angle meter located on the side of the boom which reflects the boom's angle on the printed guage. This, along with the flexible hydraulic hoses on the winch motor, the load sensing cable reel and the pivoting control panel, complete with hand controls show that even the small details have been fully reproduced on the model.
The screw thread inside the jack legs is covered which is another nice touch, giving a more realistic look to the model. The crane control panel is fitted below the boom and bed access ladders are fitted to the chassis next to the front stabilisers. The trucks deck has a simulated wooded plank finish while the hydraulic fluid tank is fitted to one side of the chassis with an opening storage / tool compartment fitted to the opposite side of the chassis. The flexible rubber mud guards have authentic Mammoet printed logos while warning and safety labels are printed on the chassis frame and outrigger legs. The rear wheels have a chrome finish with authentic treaded rubber tyres.
The four section telescopic boom has a fully extended locking mechanism along with printed letters indicating the amount of extension of the boom sections. The winch is functional and allows the hook block to be raised / lowered and the winch itself has a sprung braking mechanism. The cab interior is exceptionally detailed with opening cab doors revealing the dashboard, steering wheel console and contoured seats. The roof has a number of cast holes where the supplied air horns need to be fitted. The metal rear view mirrors are supplied in the box and need fitting to the holes in the cab frame. It can be a little tricky to get then to stay in the correct place and a touch of glue may be needed to keep them firmly secured.
The supplied platform is a welcomed addition to the model and this connects to the side stowed boom extension using the supplied pins. The mounting tip has authentically placed warning labels while the platform has photo etched mesh floor and side panels and control console. The "floating" design of the platform features a basket which can rotate through 180 degrees with two different fixing positions to choose from while the hand held controls for the crane boom are supplied in the box and fit into the bracket fitted to the basket frame.
