Work Force
DIECAST BEYOND THE PAVEMENT | BY THE DCX TEAM
Big Bad Bucket
TWH 1: 50 P&H 4100XPC Electric Shovel
1: 50 | $849.95
It’s hard to describe TWH’s 1: 50 P&H 4100XPC “Electric”
without bordering on hyperbole—but we’ll try. Big? Yeah,
we’d say so; at over two feet long, one foot wide, and 16
inches tall, it’s a giant piece, especially considering
that a Peterbilt 357 tractor in this same scale will park
comfortably on the average palm. ;e real machine
stands about as tall as a four-story building, can heave
115 tons of soil (or between 47-100 cubic yards of whatever you’re scooping) in a single bucket load, and does its
traveling in hybrid diesel/electric mode. T WH’s take on the monster
miner is truly big, but it’s also confoundingly complete, with intricate
cabling, anchors and winches, photo-etched handrails, staircases and
grating (some clocking in at 0.8 mm thick), and even a few tiny fire extinguishers located throughout. ;ere are opening cab doors, and you
can swing the beast through a full 360 atop tracks that are individually
linked. You can also operate that giant dipper and hoist, thanks to an
included set of keys; if that doesn’t get you giggling, dim the house
lights and flip on the built-in LEDs that pepper the heavy model ( 26
pounds) on its front, sides, and rear. Can you dig it? We knew that you
could. —Joe Kelly Jr.
twhmodels.com
;e Little Warrior
AUTOart Willys Jeep
1: 18 | $245
Years ago, a major car magazine did an article on the 10 most important
cars in the history of the automobile. In the mix were the Model T, the V W
Beetle, the original Mini—and the Willys Military Jeep. ;at made sense;
the Jeep is possibly the most iconic Allied vehicle of W W II, and it came
about as the result of a design competition between Willys-Overland and
Bantam. Willys won, and over 600,000 of the nigh-on indestructible four-
bys were eventually built, by Willys and by Ford. Now AU TOart’s given the
car a shot in scale, and wow, have they delivered. With its swivel-mounted
Browning 30 caliber machine gun, the model looks like it’s right out
of the Rat Patrol TV series of the late ’ 60’s. It positively reeks of
military, painted in olive drab with plain Jane fabric-covered seats,
a shovel and axe, a spare tire, a Jerry can and a two-way radio
with a metal whip antenna. AUTOart’s Jeep has heaps of finger
fun to back up that detail; the four-wheel drive has rotating drive
shafts going through the transfer case, the windshield folds down onto
the hood, and the glass can swing out to catch a little breeze. Under the
hood lies the a fully wired and plumbed model of the hyper-reliable little
flathead four; all said, it’s a very nice piece that demonstrates just how
utilitarian and practical this vehicle was. Soldier on. —Bill Bennett
autoartmodels.com
Stephen Siller was one of the 343 firefighters who lost
their lives on September 11, 2001. Upon hearing that a
plane had struck the towers, Siller drove to the Battery Tunnel and found his way blocked by abandoned
vehicles. ;at didn’t stop him; he threw on nearly 70 pounds of gear,
ran the tunnel’s one and a half-mile length, then ran on to the towers …
which collapsed minutes later. His sacrifice, like that of so many others,
will never be forgotten, and the route he took that day has become the
path of the annual “Tunnel to Towers” Run-Walk. T WH’s Seagrave Tractor
Drawn Aerial Fire Truck pays tribute to Stephen and the 343 firefighters
who lost their lives that day with exquisite detailing. All the hoses and
wires are picture perfect, and the finer details, such as photo-etched
steps, diamond plate decking, and accurate ladder accessories, add a lot
;ank you, Stephen Siller
TWH/Diecast Models Seagrave Tractor
1: 50 | $350
to the display. If you like to enjoy your models hands-on, you’ll have hours
of things to do and see; the pivoting and opening cab reveals a highly
detailed engine bay, and the outrageous 4-section extendable ladder and
removable outrigger pads operate smoothly. Even better, a portion of the
proceeds from these models goes to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower
Foundation, so you can spend those hours enjoying the replica while
knowing that you’re making a di;erence. For all the above reasons, we
highly recommend this one. —Andy Goodman
diecastmodels.com
