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Flat Bed Comparison / GL - SpecCast - ERTL; International - Freightliner - Peterbuilt
Topic Started: Jun 16 2014, 10:20 PM (2,503 Views)
craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

In this comparison we have three modern releases from ERTL, SpecCast & Greenlight. ERTL's effort is a ERTL 2006 Peterbuilt 367 while SpecCast has a Freightliner M2 and Greenlight is the newest entry with an International 4400. Since all three are of different models, we'll take an in depth review of the details and working features.

ERTL Peterbuilt 367
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SpecCast Freightliner M2
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Greenlight International 4400
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From this front quarter view we can see the ERTL and SpecCast have chrome visors but lack painted window trim detailing. Only the Greenlight has painted rims while the other two have chrome wheels. ERTL's effort lacks any mirrors. Greenlight has jeweled headlights and a painted detailed grill/bumper and SpecCast just has chromed over areas for headlights. Should be noted I painted the ERTL grill black and added in the turn signals in orange.






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Our side view shows off nice detailing from SpecCast and Greenlight. SpecCast features a true scale drive shaft that is a separate piece of plastic unlike Greenlight. SpecCast's Freightliner also has a chromed front mud flap and chromed gas tank/driver's step plus a real metal side bar on behind the doors. Greenlight's International does have chromed side tool boxes. The ERTL Petey has a plastic glob that is suppose to be a gas tank.





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SpecCast has this intagible working in it's favor. The roll back actually rolls back.
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The back side view which shows the roll off beds gives a decisive nod to SpecCast which has an actual piece of string with metal hook to replicate a tow hook. Greenlight simply casted in a line on the bed. Both GL and SpecCast have a diamond plate design while ERTL's Petey has running boards. From this back side one can also see that Greenlight added the correct International logo tampo to the mud flaps. ERTL lacks any painted brake lights. ERTL also lacks a winch which would seem sorta important!





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Steel grip style steps show up nicely on the International from GL while SpecCast and ERTL lack any detail in this regard. The ERTL also lacks an interior and perhaps their wheels are a bit too large for the model. SpecCast and Greenlight appear to have properly scaled wheels.





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One may assume since all are 1/64 that they would offer similar sized roll back beds. That's not the case. Auto World's 1964 Ford Country Squire is a true 1/64 model to visualize the difference in bed lengths.Think the the actual 1/1 International from Greenlight is shorter in real life. Quite shocking to see it looks small compared to the other two. Keep in mind the Petey is a tandem with a longer WB.





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The front view shows a lack of emblem/logo on the SpecCast Freightliner while ERTL & Greenlight have their act together. It's hard to tell from these pics, I'm blaming poor lighting, but both the SpecCast and Greenlight have dashes and two full size seats in the interior. All three have painted roof cab lights.




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In review all three offer up something fairly solid. The ERTL fits in nicely with their agriculture line of tractors and pickups released over the years. SpecCast was the 1st to offer a true 1/64 model with working features and all metal construction. Greenlight is the new kid on the block and their first effort and pretty admirable. The ERTL and GL have plastic bases. All three have diecast cabs while only the ERTL has a plastic bed. The great intangible goes to SpecCast for actually having moving parts. The ERTL is new from 2013 while the SpecCast model is about 10 years old at this point. Greenlight brought out their model in 2014 and is a hobby exclusive. The Petey from ERTL is currently available in John Deere and New Holland sets with a tractor and I bought my Case IH version for $15 which means the roll back effectively cost $7.50. I bought the SpecCast several years ago at a toy show for $25 and they now cost around $30. Greenlight's IH cost me $7.99 plus shipping though I purchased multiple items on that order so we'll call the real cost $10. For a kid's toy the ERTL Petey would be a good bet as it's sturdy enough for play time but realistic enough to haul a tractor or pickup. The SpecCast was soley aimed at collectors and the price reflects that. Greenlight has a great model at the price point and might be the best value. The working feature on the Freightliner plus detailed chasis to me makes up for some lack of detailing on the cab in the end compared to GL. Greenlight has positioned itself nicely in offering up a good model that won't break the bank. Think if SpecCast and Greenlight would offer details that the other is missing that collectors would be real winners!

My un-scientific ranking:

1. SpecCast Freightliner M2
2. Greenlight International 4400
3. ERTL Peterbuilt 367


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Stampede
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Team Canada
Nice review, Zach! I really like the Speccast with the working parts, but I really don't want to spend $30 on it.

That reminds me, I should probably order the flatbed soon...
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accobra64
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Minivan
Zach, a fantastic comparison.
Thank you for all the work that you have put into this presentation.
Your efforts are definitely appreciated.

One small correction:
"The ERTL and GL have plastic bases. All three have diecast cabs while only the ERTL has a plastic bed."
The Greenlight model also has a plastic bed.

My three copies of the GL version arrived Monday.
First thing I opened after my big box of "goodies" arrived from the U.S.
Then I opened the white coloured GL tow truck.
Both are excellent castings.

Cheers. Cobra
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clem24
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Station Wagon
It drives me insane that GL couldn't have offered up some moving parts. Though with the flat bed I suppose I could excuse it but not for the tow truck, as there's just no possible way to actually hook up a car realistically. Same thing with the tow bar on this flat bed I suppose.

I think I'd have to agree with your ranking/assessment. I think the perfect model would combine GL casting and Speccast moving parts.
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greenlt_prod
Compact
accobra64
Jun 19 2014, 10:19 PM
Zach, a fantastic comparison.
Thank you for all the work that you have put into this presentation.
Your efforts are definitely appreciated.

One small correction:
"The ERTL and GL have plastic bases. All three have diecast cabs while only the ERTL has a plastic bed."
The Greenlight model also has a plastic bed.

My three copies of the GL version arrived Monday.
First thing I opened after my big box of "goodies" arrived from the U.S.
Then I opened the white coloured GL tow truck.
Both are excellent castings.

Cheers. Cobra
Hi Cobra,

The GreenLight model does not have a plastic bed. Our longbed is metal.

Thanks,

Matt
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impala765
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Compact
This was great reading, thanks.

That ertal truck looks more like a delivery truck for pallets.

I already have the speccast which I got a while back for 5$. Yeah 5$ lolll I was pretty Lucky.
I'll go get the GreenLight and add it to my garage diorama lolll

i
mpala765
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diomakr
Station Wagon
thanks for the comparison shots and the in depth review... i've got a whole fleet of the speccast M2's and and one of the Intl. versions... for $24, you do get a lot more, and they're still my favorite version. i think the GL version is nice, for the price, but the bed is a little too small (skinny) for my tastes. I don't plan on getting many more of the GL rollbacks, but i do like the standard wreckers, even though there is a lot of plastic on those too...
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carcollector
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Thank's for that very good comparaison of the Flat Bad Models, that was a great job you've done here with very detailled pics. :thumbup: :thumbup:
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Firehawk73
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That was a superb right up Zach. I too like the SpecCast more as for details but like many M2 vehicles, it's not in scale. The bed is way too long. That old Ford station wagon would have taken up most of the bed on one of those trucks but it is still a nice looking one to have in the collection. I would like to get a hold one of those GL versions myself because it is a great value for the money.
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Dragnet_Supporter
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SUV
Zach--I agree with your review and rating system...though I have not seen the GL version up close. It's good to know the bed is metal.
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