New Model Release - Case IH 7088 Combine

I have been meaning to write this review for a while, but I have been waiting until I had some good pictures of the combine. I named this model the #1 new release of 2008 because of its detail, number of working parts, uniqueness, and quality of finish. Although it is not perfect in any of these categories it scores very highly, especially for 1/64th scale.


Features of the 7088:

1. The feederhousing raises and lowers to allow the heads to move up for transport position.

2. Clear cab glass with interior detail and opening cab door.

3. Detailed railings with ladder that swivels out of the way for transport.

4. Rear ladder that folds up for transport, and down for access to the rear of the combine.

5. Metal front dual wheels, and metal rear wheels with flotation tires on the rear.

6. Steerable rear wheels. The axle also moves up and down so that the combine can level itself when going over small hills, rocks, or valleys.

7. Extra large grain head with reel that spins.

8. 12 row corn head with auger that spins.

9. Dual chaff spreaders that spin.

Overall the detail on this model is excellent as you can see from the pictures. The price for this model is about $25, if you consider that a custom combine with this level of detail could cost $200 a production tractor with this level of detail it is an excellent deal.

Although this model is excellent I do have some basic criticisms. One of the models I bought had a silver paint streak on the left rear quarter panel. I can easily remove with with acetone but it was there. Another of the models had a bin extension that didn't fit flush, and a small plastic ribbon inside the cab. I was able to fix all of these things but you would expect that things like this would be removed when quality control examined them.

There is allot of plastic on this model, but it allows Ertl to make a great model for a great price. If the parts were all metal it would cost a fortune and more importantly it would be inaccurate since the real combine has plastic panels on it. If I could change anything about the model I would have painted the grain bin and the cab roof or make them out of metal.