The Ertl Prestige series of miniatures has been around for about 15 years now and seems to continue to gain in popularity. The models have a relatively high level of detail although much of it comes in the form of plastic, rather than metal, components. With the price of many new Precision pieces approaching the $200 mark, Prestige models in the $60 to $90 range offer a solid alternative. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Case IH Magnum 7150 tractor in 1/16th scale. It was produced by Ertl starting in 2014 and carries their stock number 14892.
Photo 1 shows the tractor as it comes in the packaging. The graphics are rather plain and simple, consisting of a white and gray background with a red stripe that wraps around the front, rear and sides. The Case IH trademark and tractor identifiers are printed on all Photo 1 • Photo 2, below Photo 3 Photo 4, right sides except the bottom. The end panels each have a full color photograph of a real tractor pulling a round baler. On the rear panel is a much larger photo of another 7150 tractor pulling either a plow or field cultivator.
A single formed piece of clear plastic, contoured to fit around the tractor, provides a solid base within the carton (Photo 2). Heavy paper ties secure the front and rear axles to the plastic. A thin piece of cardboard with a similar background and stripe to that on the exterior is printed on the interior liner. A couple of very thin pieces of clear plastic film isolate the top of the cab and hood from the plastic base.
Photos 3, 4 and 5 provide several views of the overall tractor from different angles. Note that I “installed” the metal suitcase weights on the front. These are individually cast metal items that are stored separately in the plastic base of the carton. They attach to the front rail of the tractor in the same fashion as on the real machine.
A close-up view of the front of the tractor is provided in Photo 6. Here you can clearly see the weights along with the upper and lower grille screens. Note that tiny holes are cast into the screens as well. The front lights are silver and black self-adhesive decals while the MAGNUM name is printed in silver directly on the black space between them. Also note that the hood ornament is a raised area on the top of the hood that has been accented with black paint.
Since this is a Prestige miniature, the expectation is that there will be some plastic parts. However, I was not prepared to find as much plastic as there is on this model. The positive aspect of the plastic is the ability to build in features that might not be as easy with metal components. For instance, the entire hood can be raised (Photo 7). It is a single plastic piece which, when opened, reveals some of the engine. The air cleaner canister, various hoses and tubes, and a portion of the cooling package are about all that are visible. The front and sides of the tractor which lie below the moveable hood are cast in metal.
In my opinion, the best parts of this model are the cab and cab interior. Again, this is of all-plastic construction, but the details are really quite good. Photo 8 shows how the cab door can be opened to reveal the interior details. The door has a single grab handle on the exterior and two on the interior. Note the two-tone gray liner material with yellow-beige center. The seat is also visible and you can see that it is finished off in gray and black and even has the two adjustment knobs on the side of the cushion.
The rest of the interior is finished off in gray and black and there is a complete set of controls to the right of the seat (Photo 9). Included are the throttle and gear shift levers, along with the PTO, three-point hitch and hydraulic outlet controls. Immediately behind this area is a large WARNING plate with instructions printed in black on a yellow background. Louvers for heating and cooling are cast into the ceiling and there is even a radio. The dash area is covered with a single decal that is laid out in a realistic pattern but is nearly impossible to read, even with a magnifying glass. However, a couple of numbers near the center are visible.
A windshield wiper is on the front of the cab along with a mirror on each front corner post. Two amber warning lights are included on the front and rear of the cab roof. There are two upper and lower front work lights along with two in the rear of each fender. A set of three steps, accented in silver, provides the means of entrance to the cab. Photo 10 shows some of these items more clearly.
The rear of the tractor is shown in Photo 11. The drawbar is scaled to match that of the real machine. Immediately above it are the PTO shaft with a shield and three remote hydraulic outlets. The three-point hitch assembly is moveable and includes the lifting cylinders. An authentic slow moving vehicle emblem is pressed in place as well. On the bottom of the tractor, Ertl included a stamped plate which reads: “CIH Magnum Prestige.” This is rather unusual since the toy is not actually identified as a special or commemorative edition model.
As you saw in the earlier photos, the wheels have silver rims with black hubs and silver mounting “hardware.” The tires are made of a rather hard rubber material and have a realistic bar tread pattern. Plastic fenders are attached to the front axle along with moveable steering assist cylinders. The front wheels can be moved to the right or left, in which case the steering wheel in the cab appears to “wiggle” a bit. However, it is impossible to move the steering wheel and get the wheels to actually “steer.”
Graphics on this model include the hood side stripes, which are self-adhesive decals. They consist of a black background with the CASE INTERNATIONAL name and the model designation in silver. A black and silver stripe is on each side of the cab and CASE INTERNATIONAL is also printed across the back in silver letters.
In my opinion, the overall fit and finish on this toy are average at best. I found a black paint smudge on the inside edge of the cab door and the right side hood stripe is wrinkled and is not applied straight. The exhaust pipe runs at too much of an angle and looks terribly out of place. Some of the rear tires were not properly mounted on their rims, resulting in bulges on the side walls and the appearance of them being “wobbly” as they are rotated. A pet peeve of mine with many toys today is the tires. There is an issue with either the material or the process. A white film appears on the tires, which is easily removed with a cloth, but it is very time consuming to reach in between each bar on six tires! I will have to check in with some of my contacts at Ertl to obtain some type of an explanation as to why this happens.
I am primarily a John Deere collector when it comes to toys. However, I purchased this tractor since it is a Prestige model that had a special price at the time. Usually this tractor falls in the $80 to $90 price range. One toy dealer had a special and offered it for $39! I couldn’t pass it up. In my opinion, this is a very nice model when in the $40 to $50 range. Had I paid $70 or more, I would have been very disappointed given the number and types of issues. The detail and realism are there, but when in the higher price range, the fit and finish ought to be excellent. Each collector and collection is unique and each of us has a different tolerance for mistakes, so in this instance I will let you be the judge. Enjoy.
