Introduction

MAN TGE Double Cabin with Platform, communal orange is a new model from Herpa. It is item 093453, one of 265 MAN models and 23 Town Vehicle series models catalogued by Herpa. While this model is factory assembled, Herpa offers it as a Minikit in white sans the striking warning prints for model builders and model railroaders.

MAN TGE

The MAN TGE is designed for versatility with three main versions: panel van; combi van; chassis with platform body. Cab options are a chassis cab and crew cab.

The MAN TGE is a real utility vehicle. Available in different variants as a panel van, a combi van, a crew cab with platform body or a chassis cab with platform body it is well-equipped for nearly every task. Whether in use in logistics, courier, construction, craft or passenger transport, the MAN TGE Van meets industry-specific and individual requirements with a wide range of features and customised vehicle body solutions.*

The Model

Herpa's MAN TGE crew cab platform (flatbed) body arrives assembled except for two side mirrors. It is securely contained in a form-fitted cradle inside a red one-piece end-opening carton with a clear viewing window.

Molding is excellent with raised and recessed panel lines or surface detail. The window plastic is clear without distortion. Supporting the vehicle body are four hybrid rubber-plastic tires.

Detail

Back to those tires - they have fine tread detail along the edges only. Crisply molded hub detail enhance the wheels.

The underside is a mixed bag. Under the cab is a flat area with low bas-relief detail. Under the bed is excellent detail: chassis frame; rear axle and driveshaft; leaf springs; muffler and exhaust pipe; spare tire; bumper.

Above that assembly are the flatbed and the crew cab. Herpa provides two separate side mirrors to set into pre-molded holes. In front is the grille and clear lenses for the headlights. (Unfortunately, Herpa did not use tinted clear lenses or even paint for the brake lights.)

Inside the cab is a well detailed interior featuring five bucket seats, steering wheel, center console, dash. The dash has fine louvers molded into it representing air conditioning vents. For modelers inclined to insert figures into the truck, the cab should detach from the chassis, although the fit is very tight.

Finish

Herpa mainly molds this vehicle in color. Orange body, black chassis, silver wheel hubs. Paint is used for the black chrome and door handles. Even hair-sized window trim is painted on. Herpa details the MAN emblem on the grille with chrome silver paint. Herpa also details the truck with red and white warning prints on the hood and on the corners of the rear bed. Herpa does not use decals.

The overall finish of the model is exceptional.

Conclusion

MAN TGE Double Cabin with Platform is another great looking model by
Herpa of a modern vehicle on today's roadways. The clear lenses for headlights, clear windows showing off a detailed cab, detailed wheels and chassis and frame, and crisp molding create an excellent model.

I have never looked under a real MAN TGE so I can't state that the underside of the cab is or is not accurate. My only complaint is that the tires do not have the full tread detail of older Herpa models.

Regardless, this is an excellent HO - 1/87 MAN work truck for collectors, modelers, dioramaists, and model railroaders of the current era. Recommended.

Please remember to mention to Herpa and retailers that you saw this model here - on Railroad Modeling.
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Source

* MAN. The Truck among the Vans – the new MAN TGE. https://www.mantruckandbus.com/en/van/man-tge/man-tge-van.html. 2018.