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| Showcase: Freightliner M2 106 Satellite Communications Truck | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 15 2012, 11:22 AM (1,212 Views) | |
| mbx64 | Sep 15 2012, 11:22 AM Post #1 |
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Matchbox Collector
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![]() Well, here it is! The 'Showcase' you've all been waiting for! The RWR Freightliner M2 106 Satellite Communications Truck. I'm so glad that Mattel was able to get licensing from Freightliner to do not just one, but two M2's. I can't wait for that Vacuum Truck! But for now, here is the Satellite Communications Truck, and it lived up entirely to all of my expectations. It looks fantastic, and it's nice to see that the whole body is die-cast, something that has been withering away from Matchboxes these days. Here is a shot of the front end of the first Freightliner in the RWR series, which is RW030. I found it weird that it wasn't 'RWR030,' but that's just the way it is on the base-plate. As you can see, the cab of the model looks nearly identical to any Business Class M2 you'd see rolling down the streets. In fact, I'm shocked that Matchbox fixed the casting error on the cab involving the air intakes. In earlier pre-production stages, when we were shown pictures of this casting from our ambassador, there was an air intake on both sides of the cab under the hood. That's not the case with the real M2. There is only an air intake on the driver's side, and I'm sure glad Matchbox caught their little mistake there! However, with this particular design, I am disappointed that Mattel decided to tint the windows green. At least they decided to throw some lights on the front, and even paint the grille. Sweet! ![]() The side profile looks great as well. I thought having the rear of the truck being level with the top of the cab would look offset, and make it seem like the back was too small, but it looks great! The truck also has a nice stance, and I'm glad to see the wheels aren't too far up in the wells. ![]() One cool thing about this truck is how ginormous it is with those Satellites up. The Freightliner is nearly 3 inches tall, as tall as a standard Matchbox is long! Those tall satellites add a lot of great play value to the truck. ![]() The Satellites don't just extend, but they swivel around as well. This Freightliner sure is living up to it's Real Working Rig name! ![]() The livery on this truck is not the most realistic, but I think it looks really neat. Those UFOs actually look like they're about to take over the earth! The name on the side of the truck is 'Federated World Space Agency.' Right above the largest UFO is their motto, 'Always Watching.' A quick thing to note about the design, it's actually not made with tampoes, but with ink jet. That's why the earth looks so realistic and crisp. ![]() Here is a close-up shot of the livery on the cab. The company name is abbreviated 'fwsa,' and there's even a little alien in a green silhouette waving at you. The ink jet print here looks a little sloppy, as there is a lot of white ink splatters around the 'fwsa' abbreviation. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not. Again, not the most realistic design ever, especially after that Channel 6 News version of this truck, but the model itself compensates for the design. ![]() This picture also shows the mirrors, which are detailed enough to indicate that they're Freightliner's mirrors. Even the handle is easily identifiable as Freightliner's own design. The casting of this truck still baffles me. It's just so spot on, and I'm glad to report the rear of the M2 106 Business Class is no different! I'm sure some of the details are hard to see because of the gloss black paint, but there are lights all over, a license plate, a ladder, a door to enter the rear, and even the bolts along the edge of the back. ![]() Here's a picture of the front of the cab. The proportions look great, and that chrome (VUM) bumper is always welcome. ![]() Here is a top view of the Satellite Truck. As you can see, there are lights on top of the cab, and there are multiple vents and wires on top of the back. The wires can be seen running to both of the satellites. Boy, do those satellites pop out in that bright lime green or what? ![]() Just to show how large those satellites are, I took a picture of them while they were down. They are absolutely huge, and take up most of the top of the truck. One thing that doesn't look all too right is how when the smaller satellite is lowered, it extends over the top of the cab. However, you can swivel the front satellite under the larger rear one to make it look a bit more realistic. ![]() Here is another angle of the rear, which helps to capture all of those details. ![]() I just can't put enough emphasis on how large this truck actually is, whether the satellites are or aren't extended. Here is a picture with the M2 next to the Tractor Shovel I Showcased earlier, which shows the scale of the Freightliner. ![]() It's nearly twice as long as the Tractor Shovel, and is twice as tall with the satellites up! So in conclusion, this RWR is an absolutely brilliant one. It lives up to it's name, it has great play value, the casting is flawless, it has that great 'heavy in your hands' feel, and it's just so huge! The only tiny downside is the design on this particular model. Lime green plays a huge role in it, and I don't think I've ever seen a Federated Satellite Communications Truck with green window tint and bright lime green satellites. But none of that matters, because this is my favorite Real Working Rig ever, until I get that M2 Vacuum Truck that is! I hoped you enjoyed my latest installment in my 'Showcase' series, and feel free to leave behind any comments or advice, whether it's positive or negative. I want to make sure the community is enjoying these as much as I do! If you'd like to see a particular picture of this truck, or a certain part up close, drop a comment or shoot me a pm. I'll be glad to show off more of the Freightliner M2 106 Satellite Communications Truck! Here's a sneak peak of what's to come on the next 'Showcase!' ![]() mbx64 Edited by mbx64, Sep 15 2012, 12:16 PM.
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| juantoo3 | Sep 15 2012, 01:01 PM Post #2 |
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Very nice! I like the casting, it has a lot of potential. I'm not particularly keen on this example, but I can see where this could easily be a soda pop delivery, a fire/rescue, or even a promo issue with any number of liveries. The lines are very good. What scale does it work out to? I figured out the rollbacks were right around 1/72. This looks pretty close to the same. |
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| mbx64 | Sep 15 2012, 02:46 PM Post #3 |
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Matchbox Collector
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Thank You! And I agree, I think this casting has a lot of potential as well. If they just took off those plastic satellites, which do come off, they could make it into a soda delivery truck, construction truck, even a rescue truck. Well, the base does not have a scale because the back end is generic. I would think it's around 1:80/1:70 myself. |
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| Buddhaa1 | Sep 15 2012, 08:00 PM Post #4 |
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Fullsize
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I like this a lot... I've passed on this Space Agency one, but after reading the post and seeing that there is a News 6 one (which I didn't know before), I'm gonna have to hunt for that to go with my News 6 Suburban and Chopper... great write up and pics!! |
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| JustDavid | Sep 15 2012, 11:19 PM Post #5 |
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SUV
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Excellent write-up as usual. This is a great truck, with amazing little details all over. However the green satellite dishes and windows do lose a few points in my book. |
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| mbx64 | Sep 16 2012, 05:16 PM Post #6 |
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Matchbox Collector
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Thanks for all of the kind words guys! I was going to post a 'Showcase' tonight, but I probably will not for two reasons. 1. It seems like no one is on the forums, which is odd considering it's a weekend. 2. I'm ill. Ugh. I hate being sick. So, suspect a 'Showcase' of the model I sneak-peeked here on either Monday or Tuesday if I'm up for it. |
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| juantoo3 | Sep 16 2012, 07:27 PM Post #7 |
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Hope you get feeling better soon! |
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| Stampede | Sep 16 2012, 10:49 PM Post #8 |
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Team Canada
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Nice! The design is nice, but I would like to see one in a different casting. I know there is already an E-one command truck for emergency services, but I would love to see the freightliner in a emergency casting. I think it would look great! |
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| mbx64 | Sep 17 2012, 01:50 PM Post #9 |
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Matchbox Collector
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Well, two things: 1. I am already feeling better (yay me!! 2. I will probably be posting the next 'Showcase' tonight 3. I too believe it would be a GREAT emergency truck casting. It already has all of those lights......! |
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| Stampede | Sep 17 2012, 06:22 PM Post #10 |
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Team Canada
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Terrain Trouncer next? |
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| mbx64 | Sep 17 2012, 06:34 PM Post #11 |
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Matchbox Collector
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.........I'm not telling...... I know it's obvious. Yes, my next 'Showcase will be up tonight! |
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| Swifty | Sep 18 2012, 03:16 AM Post #12 |
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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This is a great casting! I will pass on this particular version for the reasons noted in prior posts, but I added the News 6 version to my collection and look forward to more examples as well. Now if we could just get an RC Cola delivery version... |
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| craftymore | Sep 18 2012, 07:39 PM Post #13 |
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Support your local demo derby.
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Excellent photo showcase.
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| mbx64 | Sep 21 2012, 09:29 PM Post #14 |
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Matchbox Collector
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Thank you very much!
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