Vermeer T1255 Commander 3 with Terrain Leveler

Presented here is the 1:50th scale Vermeer T1255 Commander 3 with Terrain Leveler attachment. This is a very imposing and impressive model and I am not aware of any similar model ever being produced

The front of the model features the large engine compartment with side opening cooling system with fully replicated fan and hose detailing. Inside the engine bay, the engine block has been fully modelled with hydraulic and cooling hoses present along with the exhaust piping. The oposite side of the engine bay has two opening doors which have fine mesh screening which again reveal the detailed engine bay within.

The large radiator grill has side mounted access steps and accurately scaled grab rails with simulated anti-slip markings printed on the storage compartment boxes. Fine mesh panels are visible on the roof of the engine compartment and the hydraulic hoses have been authentically placed throughout the model.

The operators cab has a mesh walkway with opening door and an intricately printed control panel with guages and controls all accurately printed. The seat can be rotated and the entire cab can be elevated to give a better view for the driver.

The highly detailed hydraulic drive motors with flexible hydraulic piping and check valves are loose and use a friction fit to remain in place. This is fine until you handle the model when they tend to fall away. A touch of wood glue should help to hold them in place.

Behind the cutter head, the two main stabilisation jacks are mounted which extend and pivot. Each jack has two rollers fitted to the pivoting holder which freely rotate. The entire head has been modelled to simulate the patented oscillation of the cutter and this is another great touch on the model and demonstrates the amount of engineering that TWH employs when producing each model.

The cutting drum shows an amazing level of detail with all the cutting teeth cast into the drum. The main drive chain is fully functional with individually linked segments complete with cast teeth. It is a pity that there is no way to remove the flexible rubber schrouding as it hides most of the cutting drum detail beneath.

The undercarriage has finely detailed track frames with toothed sprocket wheels and individually linked metal track pads with bolt and grouser detailing.

The main attachment mounting frame can be raised using the four large hydraulic cylinders and yet, due to the heavy weight of the cutting drum, the cylinders are not stiff enough to keep the attachment raised in the air for long, and gradually, the cutter head lowers until it touches the ground.

The model is securely packaged in a two piece polystyrene carton with outer printed box and two small leaflets are included which give details of the full sized machine. This is another amazing model from TWH Collectibles with an excellent level of engineering throughout. The subject matter should make this a highly sought model and it looks great alongside the T1255 tracked trencher model.