Queen of the Midway, the 20th Anniversary Version Wilde Maus from the folks at Faller® Gmbh in Germany is a beautiful, marvelously detailed, illuminated, motorized, challenging and complex HO (1/87) Scale model kit. Not for the faint of heart, even experienced model builders will need patience, a steady hand and between thirty and forty hours to complete this worthy project. This being said, the result is something any modeler will be proud to display whether on a shelf, as a focal point in a model amusement park or as an accent to a model train layout. Fit and finish is exceptional and the instructions are, with a few notable exceptions, quite good and must be read carefully and followed in the correct sequence. The notable exceptions or omissions we found are as follows:
The parts required to mount the decorative flourishes assembled in
Steps “Q” through “U” on page 13 of the manual are omitted from the
instructions. You will need to use Part# 8/37 to attach these
flourishes and standards point to point to the main structure. Slip
mount, DO NOT glue, Part# 8/37.
In Step “V” on Page 13 of the manual three catwalks and two ladders
magically appear. Assembly of these parts is not previously indicated.
You will need to attach (2) Part# 10/11 Catwalks lengthwise underneath
and to the inside of the (2) Part# 4/30s which were added in Step F on
Page 3 and Step I on Page 5. Next, attach (1) Part# 10/10 Catwalk
connecting the two horizontal pins at the top of each Part# 4/30. This
Catwalk runs behind the Wilde Maus illuminated sign which will be
mounted in Step H on Page 14. Finally, cut (2) ladder sections at 67mm
and attach between Catwalks 10/11 and Catwalk 10/10.
Here are a few other helpful hints which might enhance your building experience:
Carefully check all the part racks for broken parts prior to
assembly. There are many very small and delicate parts in this kit and
you may discover some breakage. Any breaks you may find are much easier
to repair prior to removing the parts from the racks.
We not only highly recommend using quick drying Faller® Expert Plastic Cement (Part# 170492) but also recommend that you have two bottles of
this cement and some sort of glue solvent handy. (We use a product called "Goof Off" available at most grocery stores.) Even if you ALWAYS
replace the cap of this, or any other, glue and clean the applicator
stem after each use you will still find that the very thin metal
applicator will occasionally clog. When this occurs, and it will occur,
squirt a drop or two of solvent into the cap, replace the cap, invert
the bottle of glue and set aside while you use the second bottle of
glue to continue assembly. When this one clogs, simply repeat the
process and use the previous bottle which should now be unclogged.
Faller® Glue is available through our site.
When building the several stair assemblies attach the first and last
step pieces first. Attach the remaining step pieces using tweezers.
The chain drive system, assembled in Steps F through I on Page 11 is
prone to jamming if the chain has too much slack. You may need to
remove several links to get the chain as tight as possible.
The three cascading plastic illuminated signs will not like to adhere
to the Faller, or any other standard modeling, glue. Use a gel Super Glue , such as our Part# KG76648R , instead. It works quite well. Make
sure your wire cable runs are correct and in place, then mount the
signs, using Super Glue and the Spring Loaded Binder Clips to hold the
signs in place as the glue sets, as the final step of assembly.
Also use Super Glue for assembling the train cars.
If you intend to incorporate the beautiful Preiser or Faller scale model
figures with this model, especially train car passengers with raised
arms, be sure and check to make sure that their arms clear the various
obstacles around the track circuit prior to gluing the figures into the
cars. Various Roller Coaster Figures are available on our site.
For power, this European model requires either a conventional model
train transformer or a difficult to locate 16VAC power supply
neither of which is included by Faller®. 16VAC Power Supply Part# 163053 is available on our site. Good luck finding it anywhere else.
You should consider these tools and materials to aid you in your project:
A small file, such as our Part #C0305E Blue Cushion Emery Board
, for filing off any excess plastic remaining after you have removed parts from the rack. You can also use this for removing any excess brass from the handrailings.
A set of Mini Side Cutters , such as our Part# 230-373 , a sharp pair of scissors and a small Modelers Knife , such as our Part# 540-5001 , for
removing parts from the part racks. Scissors are also effective for
removing excess plastic burrs, burrs from the brass railings and for
cutting the screen material used for the perimeter fencing.
(2) to mount singly or (6) to mount in one step ¾” Spring Loaded
Binder Clips. Available from any office supply outlet, these are very
helpful for holding the three plastic lighting strips, featured with
this model, in place while their glue sets.
Scotch Tape for holding some parts in place.
Super Glue for the illuminated signs and train car assembly.
Tweezers , such as our Part# 230-500 , for handling small parts.
You may want to have a small soldering iron, small diameter shrink
tubing, and small gauge twin lead wire on hand for assembling a light
bulb wiring harness. Instructions for illuminating this model are
provided. Though Faller® does not include the actual lighting, lighting
kits for this model are included by us at no charge!
Conclusion
The incredibly detailed Wilde Maus provides a facinating model building exercise for the experienced modeler. Once completed, the immense satisfaction you will feel as you watch the four cars scooting around the circuit and trundling up the chain lift will definately justify the patience and dedication you have invested in this worthy modeling project. We are aware of no more intricate, detailed, challenging or ultimately rewarding motorized scale model roller coaster product on the market today.
Though an age suitability rating is not suggested by the manufacturer,
due to some very small parts and overall complexity we have rated this
product for ages 12 and above.
We are interested in hearing about building experiences with this model
and would like to share your impressions with other visitors to our
site.
*Categories are rated on a scale of from one to ten where
applicable and reflect only the opinions and experiences of our staff.
We provide these ratings only as a guideline to aid you in your product
choices. Your experience may vary.
These are just general comments and tips to get the lift hill to work a lot smoother and to ease therough the building process.
- When gluing the lift hill together make sure the two pieces that you glue together are flush with each other. This is imperative for the cars to roll smoothly.
-The yellow motor does not run the lift hill, use the blue more powerful one.
-When removing the chain links begin to remove two at a time. Make sure you have tweezers on hand as this eases the process. Make sure you keep the links as you might need to put them on later. You don't want the chain to be too tight or the blue motor will even stall.
- The cars sometime stop at the top of the lift hill. When gluing the lift hill together make sure the bar at the top (which breaks the connection between the magnet and chain) is glued together tightly. Sometimes it isn't flush and causes the cars to sit at top.
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