1:50 scale Mercedes Actros MP4 Gigaspace (4x2) tractor unit with 3 axle, regular curtain trailer, customised in the distinctive livery of Kent-based operator, Alcaline Transport UK Ltd.
Commissioned by Alcaline to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Company in 2023, this is the first time an official production run of models has been made for this operator and they have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Models as a certificated Limited Edition (135 pieces).
Established in 1993 in Lympne, near Hythe, Kent (and now with operating centres in Italy and The Netherlands), Alcaline UK is an international haulage company offering specialist road, as well as air services, throughout Europe, together with significant on-site warehousing and storage facilities for customer use. Whilst the major operational focus is on the Anglo-Italian market, Alcaline also serves customers in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. And, by working with established trading partners in other areas of Europe, the Company can also cater for customers’ distribution needs in a number of additional markets including, currently, Switzerland, Malta and Spain - and plans are now well underway to develop significant business in the German, Austrian and Polish markets.
With a UK fleet of 120+ vehicles and 240+ trailers - which includes one of the largest fleets of Mega trailers in the UK, as well as steel coiler trailers (run mainly by the Dutch operation), Alcaline’s clientele comprises a number of Blue Chip customers, together with several manufacturers in the automotive and aviation industries. Full loads, part-loads and groupage services to Europe are available as standard, as are express next day "Just in Time" deliveries to Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy. And with the offices based about ten minutes from the Channel Tunnel Terminal and only thirty minutes from the Port of Dover, the location is perfect!
Impressively, express same day "just in time" deliveries can also be offered to France, Belgium and The Netherlands. Indeed, such is Alcaline’s commitment to customer service and the handling of time-sensitive transport, the Company also purchased and operates a helicopter with IFR capability – meaning the pilots are qualified to fly primarily by reference to instruments (and therefore under Instrument Flight Rules, i.e., IFR), rather than by outside visual references and so under visual flight rules (VFR). This means the helicopter can fly in or above clouds during poor weather conditions and it can also fly at night. Capable of carrying up to 450kg / 1.2 cu m of freight, the helicopter freight service is primarily aimed at providing urgent & express means of transport for low volume production materials for the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors – but the service can, of course, provide assistance for any industry where time is critical.
The Mercedes Actros Gigaspace on which the model has been based is one of three model truck releases which also includes an Iveco S-Way (4x2) and curtain trailer and a Volvo FH 500 Globetrotter XL (4x2) and curtain trailer – all in very different and striking Alcaline liveries. The Mercedes unit is finished in Obsidian Black (a paint with just a hint of metallic finish) and embellished with red, silver and metallic grey vinyl graphics. This truck is paired with what Alcaline UK call their “Black & Grey” trailer livery.
Models, available from Search Impex, are priced at £169 (including UK delivery & VAT).
For details of availability of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call on 01332 873555.
