Early in 2018, Conrad presented two new foundation machines from the German ABI Group, including the massive Delmag RH 18/200 drill rig and the telescopic leader mast TM13/16 SL. Both models come in the typical Conrad style—really massive, highly functional and with plenty of details. The RH18/200 is especially a nice model addition, as there are not that many models of drill rigs currently available on the market.
The ABI Group is one of the leading companies in drilling and foundation equipment techniques. ABI was founded in 1974 and one year later introduced the first Mobilram system on a standard excavator. Delmag was founded in 1922 and developed the first explosion rammers to compact the earth; the legendary Delmag Frog was introduced in 1934. Delmag has been part of the ABI Group since 2000. Since 2003, the Swedish company Banut has also been part of the ABI Group, producing fixed leader masts and hydraulic impact hammers.


Delmag RH 18/200
The base machine is a SR25E manufactured by the ABI Group. In 2008, the ABI Group started to develop its own series of drilling rig carriers. Previously, it was common to use a standard crawler excavator to carry a drilling rig. 
All dimensions are correctly converted, such as the mast height of 39.8 cm or 19.9 meters on the real machine. The width of the HD extendible undercarriage equals 4,400 mm in reality. However, Conrad delivers the model with slightly wider track shoes. Completely rigged, the real machine would weigh 63 tonnes, including the rotary head and Kelly bar.
Both crawlers can easily be extended for maximum stability or a minimum transport width. Even the hydraulic cylinder mechanism to extend the crawlers is nicely copied. The idler is spring-loaded and keeps the tracks well-tensioned.​

Want to read the rest of the story?  It's available in the Nov. TT&C 2018 magazine!
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In September, the internet lit up with news about First Gear’s purchase of Die-Cast Promotions. It was true. Fred Ertl lll sold his company to First Gear. In a Sept. 18 press release, First Gear announced the acquisition of Die-Cast Promotions Inc.
In the press release, Rich Knight, president of First Gear, stated: “Acquiring Die-Cast Promotions is a natural fit for First Gear. We both offer high-quality die-cast replicas at attractive price points for our customers. We are excited to be expanding our 1/64 line. I think our clientele will enjoy the new extension of options available to them for their custom imprinting needs.”
The die-cast truck replica industry has gone through many changes over the last decade with companies coming and going, leaving only a handful still producing quality 1/64 scale trucks. Die-Cast Promotions and First Gear are well-established as industry leaders in high-quality 1/64 scale models for both the corporate promotional market and the collectors market. 

More than 30 years ago, Vernon White turned a dream into reality when he began scratch building and selling model tankers and trailers, naming his one-man workshop and business Pipe Dreams Designs. 
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"I built real trucks for quite a few years, so I’m aware of how they’re put together,” he said. Now, he applies that knowledge to crafting a realistic line of 1/16 scale flatbeds, lowboys, belly dumps and side dumps, along with gas, milk and propane tankers. The gas tankers are about 26 inches long and the milk tankers are 22 inches long, while a lowboy is nearly 3 feet long. This busy scratch builder also fills custom orders.