MAN TGX XXL SLT 10x4 Prime Mover with Ballast Box

copy from http://www.miniature-construction-world.co.uk/man-tgx-xxl-kahl.html

MAN TGX XXL SLT 10x4 Prime Mover with Ballast Box

Presented here is the 1:50th scale MAN TGX XXL SLT 5-axle prime mover with ballast box from Conrad in the
Kahl company decoration. This is one of two recent releases that are painted in the Kahl Schwerlast company colours, the other being the MAN TGX XXL SLT with Goldhofer 16-axle line Girder Trailer.

The front bumper has integrated driving lights with clear and amber tinted plastic lenses along with a heavy duty front towing frame with removable bar. 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.

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 with amber warning beacons and a chromed light bar mounted to the roof and self-fit rear view mirrors with reflective lenses and green painted surfaces. 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 Kahl company details printed across it.

The detail behind the cab is very good with a frame containing two large tanks along with a cooling pack complete with a circular mesh guard, air bottles and a small silver storage compartment while lower down, there is a silver walkway with a textured surface. The rear ballast box features a removable cover which is moulded to simulate a tarpaulin cover and the entire assembly can be removed from the model to reveal a functional fifth wheel coupling.

The underside of the MAN TGX XXL has a replicated drivetrain between the two driven 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 while the rear tag axle has functioning steering and the ability to raise up and lock in position off the ground. The rear driven 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 with red centres.

The model is packaged in the familiar cardboard box with inner, foam lined insert. 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 Kahl company colours.