1:50 Scale Model Caterpillar 785D with Mega MWT30 Water Tank

The 1:50th scale Caterpillar 785D off-road truck chassis with Mega MWT30 water tank from Norscot is another welcomed addition to the Caterpillar model collection. The MWT30 water tank has been specifically designed for the Cat 785 chassis and holds 30000 gallons of water with various spray options depending on the individual requirements.

The front of the model has a textured cooling grill and access steps rising across the front of the engine bay. The bumper has four work lights with painted lenses along with accurately scaled metal safety railings and access steps. The casting even caters for the front mud flaps which have been painted on to give a realistic look.

The front safety railings on the model are made of metal and there is a hinge on one of the cross sections which allow it to swing open to access the top deck from the vertical ladder. This is a great touch and demonstrates the extra level of detail Norscot is currently adding to their models.

The cab interior has been replicated with steering wheel and drivers seat visible through the clear windows. Grab rails have been added to the cab frame and the casting has crisp door frame detailing and weight indication systems visible.

The upper deck has several components fitted including filtration units and cylinder. The side mounted mirror is hinged and can be positioned in the folded or extended position. The large mirror fitted to the drivers side has a silver painted surface to simulate a reflective mirror and is fixed in place.


The large tryes have an authentic tread pattern with a slight bulge in the side walls and the inner wheel hubs have bolt head detailing cast into them. The front axle features working steering of the front wheels and there is an average amount of movement in the mechanism whilst the rear wheel drive housing has functional suspension which is another nice addition to the model, complete with flexible flaps mounted to the underside of the tank.

The Mega water tank is mounted to the chassis in the same way as a dump body allowing it to rise up with stiff, two stage hydraulics keeping the tank in the chosen position. The upper surface of the tank has four covers with a raised walkway and access ladder on the top and plastic railings running along the outer sides. The rear frame has four silver highlighted spray nozzles with two located on the upper deck and a water cannon highlighted in red mounted to the front edge.

 One interesting change over the original mining truck version of the model are the plastic covers which box in the engine compartment from the rear. On the original castings, the engine bay is empty which looks very poor when the dump body is raised and this is even worse on the version with the Towhaul RSG-225 lowboy trailer. By boxing in the open areas of the chassis, the model is certainly enhanced although it would have been better to include a modelled engine.

Source: MINIATURE CONSTRUCTION WORLD