MAN TGX with Palfinger PK530002-SH Knuckle Boom Crane
Presented here is the 1:50th scale MAN TGX 3-axle truck with Palfinger PK 53002-SH knuckle boom crane from Conrad in the Schmidbauer company livery.
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The front detailing of the cab and grill has been accurately produced with the chromed MAN logo prominently displayed along with the Schmidbauer company detailing across the front and on the sides of the cab. The tilting cab reveals the engine block at the heart of the chassis with a chromed light bar and sun visor fitted to the cab roof. |
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The front wheels have a good amount of steering movement with a replicated drivetrain to the rear axles and a large fuel tank mounted to the side of the chassis. The spare wheel is slung beneath the chassis and the silencer has the MAN logo imprinted onto the surface.
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The cab has been nicely captured with crisp body panel detailing and roof mounted amber & silver light bar with four chromed air horns and a curved light frame housing four large floodlights.
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Holes have been incorporated into the casting for the rear view mirrors and radio aerials to be fitted. The front surfaces of the mirror housings have been painted to match the body colour and both sides of the cab have an intricate printed design which is just about visible. |
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The crane structure has some good detailing, including the fluid tank with integrated cooling fan along with accurately contoured body panels and printed control switches. |
The front stabilizers are hinged, allowing the jack leg to rotate through 180 degrees to allow the two stage telescopically extending arms to fit within the profile of the truck chassis. |
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The chassis frame has a covered upper surface where the fully functional fifth wheel coupling has been added. The flat platform features a ball and socket connection allowing it to be easily removed as required, which is different from past truck models from Conrad where the fifth wheel coupling was used to secure the platform. The platform itself has printed ovels along the edges simulating tie-down locations and is an interesting change to the familiar ballast box usually fitted to such vehicles.
The rear of the chassis has single-stage extending outriggers with screw down pads with plastic wheel chocks and a pintle hitch also fitted. The rear bumper has painted reversing, brake and indicator lights with plastic wheel guards fitted over the rear wheels.
It is obvious that Conrad have put a lot of effort into the model to capture all the functional details of the full sized crane. This has been done very well and there are some very nice touches, including the fixed and winch mounted hooks that can be connected to any of the three outermost boom sections. The heavy weight and feel of the model is typically Conrad with accurate and smooth movement of the boom.
The geometry of the boom movement has been captured well and folds neatly behind the cab when in a transport configuration. When extended, the hydraulics are stiff enough to allow the boom to be positioned as required, without being too stiff to risk causing damage.
One of the great features on the boom is that each telescoping section is connected to a functional hydraulic cylinder which give the model a very realistic appearance. The boom sections are plastic and fit snugly which allows them to slide smoothly and remain in the position chosen.