Volvo FH16 Globetrotter with Scheuerle Modular
InterCombi
"Van der Meijden"
Presented here is the 1:50th scale
Scheuerle Modular InterCombi with Volvo FH16 in the Van der Meijden
company decoration from WSI. The model consists of a number of
components and parts allowing various working configurations to be
realised and is exclusive to
Scale Model World.
Van der Meijden are a well known Dutch
heavy haulage company that specialise in the transport of loads for the
construction industry. Typical applications include the transport of
pre-fabricated concrete beams weighing up to 150 tons with lengths of
over 50 metres.
The model reviewed here is a true replica
of one of the heavy haulage rigs found within Van der Meijden's modern
fleet, based on a Volvo FH16 6x4 tractor with bolt-on tag axle and a set
of Scheuerle modules consisting of a single 2-axle line module, two
3-axle line modules and a four axle line module with gooseneck, tow bar
and turntables allowing a number of configurations to be built. The
model comes complete with a resin replica of a concrete beam and is
exceptionally well packaged in a strong board box with foam interior
holding all the parts securely.
The Volvo FH16 has been replicated well,
with all the fine details that are now expected from WSI clearly
visible. The front grill has photo-etched panels which are crisp and
look really authentic, highlighted in white and silver paint with
plastic light lenses integrated into the contours of the bumper.
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The cabin has all the panel
detailing found on the full sized truck with rear facing floodlights and
neatly stacked service line coils leading down to the diamond plate
textured platform.
Amber beacons and chromed air
horns are located on the roof with a plastic air intake snugly fitted
behind the cab and rear view mirror housings fixed to the cab frame
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The box construction of the
chassis gives an impression of strength with a slot along the centre of
the chassis allowing the fifth wheel assembly to slide into different
positions for the gooseneck, depending on if the additional bolt-on tag
axle is deployed.
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The bolt on tag axle is a nice addition to
the set with small, double tyres mounted to the axle which has working
steering and spring operated suspension. The frame has a non functional
stabiliser leg with a full length simulated mud flap with accurate
printing, complete with tinted plastic light covers and a silver
finished upper platform. Attaching the axle is easy as it clips into
place on the raised brackets integrated into the Volvo frame.
The underside of the tractor is fully
replicated, from the engine and transmission through to the driven axles
and driveshaft. The front axle has functioning steering with crisply
moulded rubber tyres while the main tyres have a very realistic tread
pattern. The underside of the chassis also highlights the exhaust
piping, fuel and air tanks and the simulated suspension structures.
The cabin can be tilted forward to reveal
the full engine housing, with the Volvo powerplant at the heart,
authentically painted and decalled up with the radiator and cooling
components all visible.
The paint finish is excellent throughout
with the striking orange and blue colour scheme constrasting well. The
Van der Meijden company details are crisply printed on the sides of the
cabin with an authentic number plate and Volvo designations printed
across the front of the cab.
The main configuration when transporting
the concrete beam is a 5-axle semi-trailer connected to the tractor with
a self tracking 7-axle dolly. On the return journey, the rear dolly can
be connected to the semi-trailer with the included tow bar and pintle
hitch.
Each of the modules has been meticulously
designed to allow full configuration of the steering bars to produce
different steering angles. This is achieved using metal bars and small
screws and for the Van der Meijden, the steering bars are all fully
assembled out of the box (as pictured below). Spare bars and screws are
provided in the box.
The metal frame of the module has very
crisp casting details with holes along the length where the turntables
are connected. The side structure detailing is very crisp with bolt and
tie-down ring detailing visible along with printing of the Scheuerle
logo and a yellow stripe running along the upper edge.
Each of the axle lines has a pivoting
frame allowing some degree of suspension to be observed. The tyres have a
ridged tread pattern with silver hubs and all rotate freely while the
proportional steering is a little stiff but does function.
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Silver metal plates with a
diamond plate textured surface are provided to cover the channels on
each module to protect the steering mechanisms and these hold in place
snugly.
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A nicely detailed power module
is supplied in the box, with a yellow painted generator with silver
highlighting of the bolts and filler caps and tiny printing of the
safety label.
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The modules have integrated locking bars
which function well, allowing the different modules to be easily locked
together, although initially, the modules are quite stiff to clip
together and require a little manipulation to lock the angle castings
into each other. One interesting observation on the modules is the
removal of the paint on the surfaces which come into contact with each
other. This adds more realism to the modules and is a nice touch.
A towing bar is supplied in the set
allowing the model to be posed realistically without the concrete beam
load. This push-fits into the two holes on the end of the module and has
different holes where pins need to be fitted to adjust the steering
range. Small springs are connected to the pivoting bar allowing it to
gently touch the ground. A control housing is also supplied which clips
onto the corner of the module and houses a number of levers to operate
the functions of the dolly. The levers are highlighted silver with black
knobs.
The pintle hitch fits to the module in the
same way as the tow bar, by inserting it with force onto the end of the
module until the plastic pins fully insert into the holes. The model is
supplied with two sets of light panels which clip onto the end of the
module as required. The panels have intricate printing of the oversized
vehicle markings, chevron pattern and authentic numberplates while the
light housings have tinted plastic lenses, topped with an amber beacon.
Two turntables are supplied,
the front one is a simple construction with a pivoting platform and
rotating frame. Each of the upright bars can be adjusted to hold
different sizes of load and a simulated wooden base panel is attached.
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The turntable for the dolly is
a little more sophisticated and has hydraulic cylinders to control the
rotation of the platform.
The frame has a simulated
wooden base with adjustable upright bars with flexible huydraulic hoses
and intricate detailing of the steering mechanisms.
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The gooseneck has some very nice detailing
including storage compartments integrated into the sides of the upper
platform, complete with cast handle detailing which is highlighted black
with tiny silver highlighting of the locks. The side panels have cast
hinge and clip detailing with minuscule printing running down the centre
which is barely readable.
Two spare wheels are mounted to the tip of
the gooseneck with flexible hosing added to both sides for extra
realism. The neck is hydraulically powered and can be adjusted while
metal brackets can be inserted into the end of the neck to keep it
raised when disconnected from the tractor.
The engineering that has gone into
producing the Scheuerle InterCombi modules demonstrates WSI are at the
forefront of model design and the various parts supplied in the box
allow different trailer configurations to be constructed. This is
especially useful for those collectors who don't have the space to
display the model with the concrete beam load. Pictured above is an 8
axle-line semi-trailer using both 3 axle-line modules alongside the 2
axle-line module for a realistic heavy haul trailer, connected to the
Volvo FH16 in standard configuration.
Pictured above, all modules are connected
to create a 12 axle-line semi-trailer. While the tag axle is a nice
addition, there is no pintle hitch on the tractor which unfortunately
excludes a towed trailer combination. Pictured below is the default
model configuration with concrete beam load.
The Dutch based
Scale Model World
are a newcomer to the model scene and have been working exclusively
with WSI Collectibles to bring to life some of the more unusual heavy
haulage rigs from companies throughout Europe. The Van der Meijden is
the first model in the range and they have already followed up with
several additional Scheuerle trailer combinations. Check out their
website for more
details and to order the Van der Meijden model reviewed here.
