MAN TGX XXL 8x4 tractor with Goldhoffer 16-axle Girder Trailer
"Allelys"
Presented here is the 1:50th scale MAN TGX XXL 8x4 prime mover with modular Goldhofer 16-axle girder trailer in Allelys livery from Conrad. Out of the box, the model is supplied with 4 x 4-axle modules and 6 x bed frame sections along with a choice of two different towing bars and the MAN TGX XXL prime mover with ballast box.
The Allelys group is one of the largest haulage and transport compaines in the UK and specialises in the transport of abnormal & indivisible loads across the UK as well as European and Continental deliveries. Typical trailers include extendable and semi-extendable flat beds, low loaders rated to 120 tons and modular trailers up to 350 tonnes and it is great to see Conrad produce the modular Goldhofer 16-axle girder trailer in the Allelys livery.
The MAN TGX XXL 8x4 prime mover is decorated in the striking Allelys company livery with a ballast box, complete with plastic cover fitted to the fifth wheel coupling. The ballast box can be removed to reveal the functional fifth wheel and it is a pity that Conrad did not include a gooseneck to allow additional posing capabilities.
The entire cab can be tilted forward to reveal the metal engine block at the heart of the chassis. Behind the cab is a red painted frame with integrated tanks, air filters and cooling module, complete with top mounted fan blade housing. The silver finished guards over the rear wheels have a diamond plate textured surface with an additional foot panel located behind the frame.
The tyres have an authentic road tread pattern and are mounted to plastic wheel hubs which are nicely detailed and finished with silver plastic centres on the rear wheels whilst the front wheels have been highlighted with silver paint. The front two axles have working steering with a bar linking the mechanism and a reasonable degree of movement can be achieved.
The pintle hitch located at the rear of the chassis frame connects to the tow bar of the trailer for towing whilst the front of the prime mover features a towing assembly with removable pin allowing the prime mover to also be used in a pusher configuration. The cab's interior has be reproduced with a chromed light bar fixed across the roof above the sun screen along with two amber warning beacons and side mounted air horns. The rear view mirrors are supplied in the box and need fixing to the cab frame.
The parts supplied with the model allow other configurations to be assembled, including the setup pictured below with the modules linked together using the supplied pins to produce a flatbed trailer.
Each of the Goldhofer modules features a linked steering mechanism using small metal bars allowing all the individual axles to rotate. Each axle has two tyres fitted which have a tread pattern moulded into the surface and silver plastic wheel hubs which are mounted to the simulated suspension arm which does have some up and down oscillation.
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The suspended trailer frame locates securely to the modules and clicks into place across the join of the front and rear halves. The Goldhofer modules are different to the ones supplied with the original girder trailer that Conrad released in Schaumann livery and this means that the trailer cannot be reduced in length.
The trailer is completely modular and is assembled using the large plastic pins. Each component links into each other and once all connected, the stiff hydraulic cylinders fitted to the arms can be extended to raise the bed off the ground. |
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The front modules use a towing assembly to connect to the prime mover. There is an option of short or long towing bar (as pictured above) and a black metal bar is supplied which connects the steering linkage of the towing assembly with the steering bar of the modules, so that as the bar pivots left and right, the steerable axles also turn. |
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The trailer bed can be widened hydraulically with four different widths of plastic cross member bars supplied with the model. The bars push fit into the holes on the inner frame lip to give the trailer a more rigid feel. There are also small hydraulics fitted to allow the trailer to tilt slightly, allowing the bed of the trailer to remain level on uneven ground and this is functional on the model for added realism.
The rear most module has a rear plate which push fits into the pre-drilled holes and features silver reflective panels on the top corners with brake, indicator and reversing lights painted on along with goldhofer logos which are also printed onto the sides of each module. The use of flexible plastic strips to simulate the hydraulic piping gives the trailer a more realistic look.
The paint finish throughout is of a very high standard, as expected from Conrad and the decoration of the prime mover in particular looks really good. For details of the Allelys company, check out their website which features information about the company and their fleet of vehicles.