Diecast Masters New Micro-Constructor Models

[cfritschle]

Diecast Masters has added two new Cat models to their Micro-Constructor Series. The models are approximately 1:144 scale. However, with the scarcity of 1:160 scale construction models (especially any painted and assembled) I thought is might be useful to post some comparison photos of the new models.

Comparison photo for 1:160 scale GHQ Cat IT 18F, 1:150 scale Maruka Kawasaki, and Diecast Masters Cat 950M wheel loaders.


Comparison photo for 1:160 scale Trainworx Kenworth T800 dump truck and Diecast Masters Cat 770 off road dump truck.


Comparison photo for 1:150 scale TomyTec Komatsu PC 300 excavator and Diecast Masters Cat 770 off road dump truck.


The Diescast Masters Cats are quite toy like, but perhaps they could be detailed and made more presentable to be placed with 1:160 scale models.

Carter

[Maurice]

I have purchased a couple of these after seeing them at my local hobby shop. Have been stumped as to what scale they are appropriate for. Some look good for N-scale and some look too big. I think a lot depends what you put them near.
Cheers.

[Janbouli]

Imho , not only is the scale incorrect, but they seem to be toys instead of models , just my 2 cents.

[cfritschle]

I have purchased a couple of these after seeing them at my local hobby shop. Have been stumped as to what scale they are appropriate for. Some look good for N-scale and some look too big. I think a lot depends what you put them near.
Cheers.

Maurice,

The Diecast Masters Micro-Constructor line utilizes some of the tooling Norscot used for their line of Construction Minis that were originally released in 2007. By 2010, the Construction Minis' line consisted of six "box size" models, meaning that the larger the prototype, the smaller the scale of the model.

The models released in 2007 were as follows:

Cat 315C L excavator = 1:141 scale
Cat D5G XL dozer = 1:95 scale
Cat 906 wheel loader = 1:101 scale
Cat 420E backhoe and loader = 1:130 scale

In 2008 Norscot added a Cat 793D mining truck which was close to Z scale, and in 2010 they added a Cat D7E dozer, which was larger than N scale. I did not purchase either of these two models, so I do not have the ability to measure them and determine the actual scale of the models. Edit: Norscot added the Cat 272 skid steer in 2008. And, I did not purchase the skid steer, so I cannot determine the actual scale of that model.

In 2020 Diecast Masters introduced the Micro-Constructor series with six models, four of which were based on the tooling for the original four Norscot Construction Minis. The 315C L excavator was updated to a 315D L excavator, the D5G XL dozer, 906 wheel loader, and 420E backhoe and loader were essentially unchanged. The new models Diecast Masters added in 2020 were a Cat 272 skid steer loader (much larger than N scale) and a Cat 320 excavator (1:150 scale). In 2021 Diecast Masters added a Cat D8T dozer (1:150 scale) initially with a keychain attached, but now available as a "display box" model.

I hope this info is helpful.

Carter

[MRLdave]

Yeah.......Norscot made the construction equipment so it fit in the display box......so something small, like a skidsteer was WAY oversized, while something like a mining truck was undersized. Some of the stuff, like the dozer, doesn't actually look too large if placed on an N layout. You just have to hide the lettering that says D5, and pretend it's a D8 or 9........same for the 315 excavator........just pretend it's a larger model. I made a Herzog cartopper out of one of the backhoes, and it looks fine. There used to be a whole line of military stuff that Walmart sold, and I built a 57 car WW2 military train around them.......they had Tanks, Priest howitzers, halftracks and trucks, each in several paint schemes. They were all 1:144, but they fit fine on N scale flatcars , and because they are ALL that size, you don't notice.

[Maurice]

Many thanks for the information Carter! I have found that a little paint does wonders to improve their appearance. Testor's "Carmel" is a very good match for the plastic. I find it strange that the boxes have a photo of the item but no lettering telling you what it is. Fortunately, the lettering on the model is very good. Thanks again for the information.
Cheers and happy modelling!
Maurice
20230918_110535.jpg