MAN TGX XXL 8x4 Prime Mover with Goldhofer Drop-Centre Trailer
Presented here is the 1:50th scale MAN TGX XXL prime mover with Goldhofer drop-centre trailer from Conrad in the Bohnet company decoration. This is one of two recent releases that are painted in the Bohnet company colours, the other being the MAN TGX XXL prime mover with ballast box.
The model features a tilting cab revealing the engine block at the heart of the chassis. The cab's side panels have accurate panel detailing and on the sample reviewed here, the company details on the cab sides are stickers however these are printed on the production models.
The cab interior has been replicated and is visible through the front and side windows with plastic inserts above the cab doors, a plastic sun screen is fixed across the front of the cab with the Bohnet name printed across it.
The fifth wheel fitted to the chassis pivots and there is a towing pintle hitch fitted to the rear frame. The plastic wheel guards have some nice fixing detailing with integrated light modules and simulated rubber mud guards, complete with printed MAN logo.
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The model is constructed with a light duty pack mounted behind the cab, consisting of a full width fuel tank, small auxiliary tank and a four door storage rack.
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The roof of the cab has a white coloured air conditioning unit with amber beacons and two self fit radio antennas. A chromed walkway is fitted to the chassis which has a textured, anti-slip surface. |
The underside of the MAN TGX has a replicated drivetrain between the two rear axles although, due to the construction of the front two axles, the driveshaft is not modelled between the engine mounding and the driven axles. The front two axles do have working, linked steering and achieve a reasonable degree of turn. The rear axles float within the frame, simulating the suspension of the full sized truck and the tyres have a detailed tread pattern moulded into the surfaces with intricately detailed silver plastic wheel hubs.
The Goldhofer trailer consists of a 4-axle line and new 3-axle line module with an adjustable drop-centre bed consisting of two end sections and two different length deck panels allowing the trailer to be configured to transport different loads.
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The deck panels have cast side detailing including replicated tie-down rings with an interlocking connector at each end, using a plastic pin on each side to secure the bed sections together. |
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The new casting of the 3-axle line module has good crisp detailing of the main structure with the axles linked together with metal bars allowing the entire set to operate together to simulate the steering movement of the full sized modules and this works well on the model. Each axle has pivoting suspension with four wheels mounted to each, complete with accurately moulded rubber tyres.
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The bed connects to the modules with a plastic pin and the rear section is integrated into the bed casting (Pictured right)
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The front section can be disconnected from the bed so that the integrated loading ramps can be utilised. The bracked is pinned onto the front module and the arms of the bed interlock onto the pins of the adapter. |
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Two different lengths of bed are supplied in the box, one long section and one short section, allowing several different configurations to be realised. |
The gooseneck is pinned to the front module and features a hydraulically adjustable neck with upper storage area, complete with metal safety railings around the front. The side panels have cast hinge and locking handle detailing with the Bohnet name printed along the sides.
The model does have the ability for the trailer bed to be connected directly to the gooseneck (as pictured below), eliminating the need for the front module and while this is possible, it is a little tight to achieve on the sample reviewed here.
As expected from Conrad, the paint finish is excellent with crisp decal printing throughout. This is another good addition to the ever growing MAN model truck fleet and looks good in the Bohnet colours, pictured below alongside the MAN TGX prime mover.
