Mercedes Actros Titan 4155 MP3 with Goldhofer THP XLE 3+5 Trailer

 copy from http://www.miniature-construction-world.co.uk/hnkrane-Titan-4155-thp-xle.html

Mercedes Actros Titan 4155 MP3 with Goldhofer THP XLE 3+5 Trailer

Presented here is the limited edition H.N. Krane 1:50th scale heavy haulage set, consisting of the Mercedes Benz Actros Titan 4155 4-axle tractor and the Goldhofer THP XLE 3+5 low loader trailer from Tekno. The truck and trailer are packaged separately and have been commissioned by Heavy Transport Models, who offer several different options including offering the trailer and truck separately. Both models are supplied with a printed certificate card with signature and serial number which is a very nice touch.

Starting with the Titan 4155, the model is highly detailed with a good build quality on par with the likes of WSI, Conrad and NZG. While not as heavy as a Conrad model, there is still a sturdy feel with a good paint finish throughout.

	A pair of chromed air horns and amber tinted plastic beacons with black bases can be found on the roof of the cab with a chromed light bar across the front and two radio aerials which need fitting, as do the rear view and safety mirrors. The interior has been replicated and decorated with the contours of the dashboard, driver & passenger seating and steering wheel all visible through the clear glazed windows. Anti-slip silver plates have been added to the access steps with inset door handles and side body panel detailing cast into the cab surface. The rear frame houses a silver fuel tank with a two door storage compartment, wheel chocks and air cylinders all fitted and finished off with service coils which look very convincing. Streamlined side panels have been fitted and the H.N. Krane decoration and printing has been done very well, with even the smallest text crisp and readable.
The contours of the front grill have been captured well, with a textured radiator grill visible through the cut-outs and the chromed Mercedes logo prominently displayed. The lower body panel has integrated light housings which have clear plastic lenses with a printed red and white chevron pattern, topped with an authentic number plate.

The entire cabin is hinged and can be tilted forward to uncover the modeled engine block at the heart of the chassis. The detailing is good with clear definition of the cylinder head while a small tank with highlighted filler cap and the air intake filter housing are fixed to the side of the chassis.

	The rear frame has a functional towing hitch with a removable locking pin allowing the truck to be posed in different towing configurations while the fifth wheel coupling pivots and allows a good firm connection with the Goldhofer trailer.
The plastic covers above the rear wheels capture the looks of the full sized truck with a full length silver platform which also doubles as a storage area for the plastic ladder which is supplied with the model. The exhaust silencer box mounted to the side of the chassis frame has a fine perforated texture with embossed Mercedes logo which is covered by a protective frame.

The underside of the model is reasonably detailed with rear suspension detailing coupled with drive-shafts from the transmission to the rear driven axles. The tyres fitted to the model have different tread pattern for the steering and drive wheels and the chromed hubs are very nicely finished.

The Goldhofer trailer is configured as a 5-axle rear module with telescopically extending narrow bed and a three axle module connected to a gooseneck.

	As with the tractor, the trailer components are highly detailed and the 3-axle front module has working steering of each axle which are linked with small bars so that, as one assembly is moved, the others move appropriately and this action is very smooth in operation. Each axle has a pivoting frame with a fitted spring allowing it to simulate the range of movement on the full sized module. The gooseneck has a raised storage area with silver floor panels and two grab poles which need to be added, as does the spare wheel holder. The neck is connected to the module with a single screw and Tekno have even included a tiny screwdriver in the box to make this straight forward to fit together.
The upper surface of the module has two non-removable silver plates which have a crisply defined diamond plate texture on the surfaces and a number of holes in several different sizes. The side construction of the frame has modeled tie-down points and tiny printing of the Goldhofer name along the sides.

Two warning boards need to be fitted and these have cable bundles attached which need to be positioned on the underside of the neck, but it is not clear from the instructions exactly where these cables should be fitted. One nice touch are the flexible mud flaps that have been fitted to the module.

The deck of the trailer is solidly constructed and has a number of arms inset into the side frame which will pivot out into position to allow the deck plates to be fitted. On the sample reviewed here, the paint is a little thick and has chipped off when the arms have been deployed.

The deck extension plates are plastic with friction fitted simulated wooden panels and these tend to cause the plates to bow slightly. Slots in the plates allow for alignment with the arms and help them to stay in position.	The deck can be extended lengthways to accommodate longer loads and additional structural beams (pictured left) are supplied which clip onto the extended section, allowing more deck extension plates to be fitted.

This is a nice addition on the model and allows the trailer to be configured in a number of different ways, depending on the chosen load.

The five axle rear module is integrated with the trailer deck and, as with the 3-axle module, each of the axles features working steering with small linkage bars fixed to the steering mechanism so that all the axles turn together.

The pivoting arms on each axle are sprung, allowing the trailer to sit with all the wheels making contact with the ground. The tyres fitted to the hubs have a wavy radial groove tread pattern which is molded well with green finished hub surfaces with cream centres and all the wheels rotate freely within the frame

The rear of the trailer requires the two amber beacons to be fitted and these are a little loose fitting, so a touch of glue is needed to keep them in place. The Goldhofer name is printed onto the simulated mud flaps and the trailer is finished with an authentic printed number plate. This set is certainly a good addition to the H.N. Krane model range and can be purchased with the optional Mercedes Actros Titan 4160 tractor unit. Check out the Heavy Transport Models website for the full range of H.N. Krane model replicas.

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