Introduction

Scania CS 20 Low Roof Chrome Tank Semitrailer "Wedemeyer" is an HO - 1/87 set from Herpa. It is item 310079. Herpa tells us:

The new Scania CS with low roof appears for the first time on the model of the Wedemeyer forwarding company from Hanover with a chrome-plated tank trailer.

Let's continue kicking the tires and slamming the doors.

CS 20 ND

Scania S-series is their high forward control cab semi-tractor. The S-series is marketed for long-distance operations and driver comfort. It can be configured with two cabs, a normal S-Sleeper cab or the S-Sleeper-Highline. The driver has two engine types to choose to power his rig, a 13-litre (Euro 6) or 16-litre (Euro 6), offering between 410-730 hp. Transmitting that power to the axles are Scania's range-splitter gearboxes, all of which come available with Scania Opticruise and Scania Retarder, plus a selection of power take-offs, and shifts of 12-speed or 12 2-speed. That power is carried upon;

...a wide range of 2-axle and 3-axle vehicles with different chassis heights. We also have a broad selection of front, rear, fixed and steered tag axles to match the requirements of any application.***

Rigid and tractor chassis can choose from several axle configurations,

4x2
6x2
6x2/2
6x2/4
6x2*4

Scania offers many options for the S-series as specified by the trucker.

The entire range is modular, giving a wide range of different configurations for different types of trucks. The trucks are available with engines ranging from a 13-litre to a 16-litre Euro6, ranging in power from 370-730 hp. A successor to the range was launched in August 2016 with new R-series and flat-floor S-series sleeper cabs.*

All of those letters designate particular characteristics of the truck. "C" designates a cab vehicle and "S" is Scania's long-distance outfit. "ND" is a Normal chassis height of a truck designed for Distribution. Next "ZM" is the suspension and duty type, Z: leaf-spring suspension front and rear; M: Medium duty, for transport on even surfaces. Finally, "20" is the distance between the front and rear wall in decimeters.

Scania use different model designations for different contexts. A simplified truck model designation is used for marketing and is visible in the grille. Another complete designation defines the characteristics of the chassis and the drivetrain, and a third designation defines the cab configuration.*

Scania describes their engines further:

Scania has used its vast experience of both EGR and SCR to develop its Euro 6 engine range. The latest additions are the 13-litre, 6 cylinder 370 hp and the 16-litre, 730 V8, today’s most powerful Euro 6 truck engine.**

You can read all about it from the Scania website via Click here for additional images for this review, below.

Scania CS 20 Low Roof Chrome Tank Semitrailer "Wedemeyer"

This Scania semi-tanker is securely packed in a form-fitting plastic cradle which holds the truck and the optional pieces. (Herpa molds it with finger grips on the ends to help you remove it from the carton.) The cradle is held inside an end-opening carton with a large cellophane window.

This semi-truck is pulled by a 4x2 tractor. Six detailed tires, again on chromed hubs, carry the chassis. That chassis is very detailed with axles, springs and shocks, fuel tanks and battery boxes, drive shaft, and transmission and engine parts. The front axle can be made to allow the wheels to steer with Herpa's optional steering kit. The chassis is streamlined with aerodynamic skirts and fairings. Safety tread plate spans the chassis between the cab and the rocking fifth wheel. That fifth wheel has a fine molded release handle.

Transparent and tinted clear lenses simulate the lights.

Riding on that assembly is the cab body. It is sharply molded with smooth plastic. The grille and front bumper is a multi-part assembly. Herpa models are designed to be assembled without glue. The parts are interlocking: the windshield clear part snaps into the cab body, held in place with help from the interior piece which is itself held in place by tabs that represent the door handles.

Under the cab interior is a model 16-litre (Euro 6) Diesel/HVO engine. It is molded as one part. Most Herpa trucks I have reviewed have cabs that tip to expose the powerplant. Some tip easily. Some require a great deal of removing of grille or bumper parts to release the cab for tipping. I have only had a couple of models with which Herpa included instructions.

Outside the truck are four optional mirrors. Herpa made mounting holes for them along the windows and under the sun shade. Their plastic is flexible and their pins are a tight fit into the truck body. Yet they require finesse or they can be damaged.

Wrapping it up, as mentioned earlier, Herpa used clear and tinted lenses to simulate the head and brake lights.

The tank trailer has a tab that locks in the fifth-wheel. The trailer does not have any "action" parts, except the landing gear which can be extended when the trailer is off the tractor - but they are so tight they are practically glue in the tank chassis. Like on the tractor model, the wheels of the undercarriage are soft plastic with chromed hubs. A nice spare tire and cage are included. Topside are safety tread walkways with a ladder and along the flanks are piping and placard signs.

Let's look at the detail.

Detail

This tractor is a 4X2 tractor. Six detailed tires carry the chassis. That chassis is very detailed with axles, springs and shocks, fuel tanks and battery boxes, drive shaft, and transmission and engine parts. The front axle can be made to allow the wheels to steer with Herpa's optional steering kit. The chassis is streamlined with aerodynamic skirts and fairings. Safety tread plate spans the chassis between the cab and the rocking fifth wheel. That fifth wheel has a fine molded release handle.

Transparent and tinted clear lenses simulate the lights.

Riding on that chassis assembly is the cab body. It is crisply molded with smooth plastic. The grille, trim, front bumper, and light lenses are a multi-part assembly. Herpa models are designed to be assembled without glue. The parts are interlocking: the windshield clear part snaps into the cab body, held in place with help from the cab interior piece which is itself held in place by tabs that represent the door handles.

That cab interior is a piece sporting a lot of detail - seats and crew bed, console, cup holders, levers, steering wheel, and dash.

A model 16-litre (Euro 6) Diesel/HVO engine is under the cab interior. It is molded as one part. Many of the Herpa trucks I have reviewed have cabs that tip to expose the powerplant. Some tip easily but some do not at all, requiring a great deal of effort removing grille or bumper parts to release the cab for interior/engine access. I did so, the explanation is in Instructions, below.

Outside the truck are four optional mirrors. Herpa made mounting holes for them along the windows and under the sun shade. Their plastic is flexible and their pins are a tight fit into the truck body. Yet they require finesse or they can be damaged.

Herpa has produced a very detailed truck.

Instructions

If you want to access the 16-litre (Euro 6) Diesel/HVO engine or cab interior, you are on our own to figure it out - no instructions. To access those internal goodies of this CS 20 ND, you must pry off the tightly fitted grille, headlamp strip, and several other parts. The cab does not tilt. It must be unsnapped from the chassis. That allowed the cab to come off and exposes the engine but the interior remains inside the cab. To access the crew compartment, gently pry the cab exterior away from the interior at the door handle, and lift shell off.

I have only inspected a handful of Herpa models with included instructions, usually for attaching the mirrors or opening the cab to reveal the engine. Happily, this model has a small sheet of instructions showing how to attach the mirrors - very useful and appreciated, especially for attaching the front mirror: to attach the front mirror, you must remove the sun shields (there are two of them) and that is not easy because they are very delicate, tightly fitted parts. Not mentioned in the instructions is that there are three tiny holes (approximately No. 75 / .021mm) in close proximity. If you don't hit the mirror hole first, the mirror interferes with reattaching the visors.

Finish

This model has little paint as almost everything is modeled in color. Herpa paints the chrome and Scania emblems. Fine lettering is crisp and legible.

The model has a very glossy finish for the cab and skirts while thew rest of the parts are muted.

Obviously, the chromed tank is very shiny and reflective.

So many Herpa models scream Europe but this "Wedemeyer" tabker can blend with North American trucks, in my opinion.

Conclusion

Herps's Scania CS 20 Low Roof Chrome Tank Semitrailer is an imposing model. It features excellent detail, finish, molding and assembly. The clear lenses for the lamps and lights are great, and the optional separate mirrors afford even higher detail.

If I have anything to complain about it is the difficulty in accessing the cab interior for detailing with a driver and accoutrements. Herpa's magazine Der Mass:Stab often features articles with trucks boasting interiors highly detailed by modelers.

Modelers of modern semi-trucks, dioramas, and collectors of moderns semis should be delighted with this model. It can even blend with North American trucks. Another excellent Scania from Herpa. Recommended.

Please remember to mention to Herpa and retailers that you saw this model here - on Auto Modeler.
_______
Sources

* Wikipedia. Scania PRT-range. [Web.] 7 August 2017, at 11:39.

** Scania Group. “Pressroom: A Complete Euro 6 Range.” Scania Group, www.scania.com/group/en/event/pressroom-a-complete-euro-6-range/. 24 October 2013.

*** * Scania. AXLE CONFIGURATION AND CHASSIS HEIGHT. Configuration. [Web.] 2016.