Easy Assembly, Nice Details
This is a fairly good kit for someone looking to build a nice looking big rig on a budget. My build is going to team this with the 1/25 Frauhauf Flatbed Trailer to replicate the W900 as they were for a specific company in the early/mid 1990s so I'll need to modify things a bit. The parts are cleanly cast, no issues with dimpling or warping. The external detail is nice and crisp, unfortunately most of the interior detail beyond the dashboard, seats and sleep area is non-existent. The chrome pieces look to be some of the best I've seen in a kit. I intended to strip the chrome and cover them with Bare-Metal Foil, they look so good I'll only do that for the parts with seams. I did notice one thing very odd, the mirror mounting frames can't be accurate, one leg mounts to the door, the other leg to the cab -- opening the door would bend the frame on a real truck. Fixing that is one of the changes I'll make to the kit, I'll also be moving the directionals and chroming the air cleaners to match the pictures I have for this project. I'm also modifying some parts to add lighting, the lights on top the cab will be difficult but not impossible. Currently I've test fit the parts, no problems there, and am proceeding with the mods I need to make for this project. This kit makes a nice build right out of the box and with patience and techniques it can be modded as the builder desires. You can go for a nice basic build or go hog wild on mods, the kit is open to options. Definitely worth the price.
good kit to jump in with
The KW W900 is a good kit to start with if you have not built big rigs before. Revell is a well known company and has nicely detailed kits. Skill level is marked at #2 but I personally feel it is more a 1.5. Having put together snap kits, this kit is (again, my own opinion) just a small step up from that level. Here is why I say that, the fit of the parts is very similar to a snap kit in being I could assemble almost this entire kit with no glue and it would stay together. That being said, it is not an entirely a bad thing. A junior model builder would find this pleasing and not have much frustration through the build. An advanced builder could either use this to their advantage and let the creative side run wild or just be bored with the simplicity. Really, it is up to you to build how you want, box stock or crazy modified. I actually do like this kit and have more ideas for future builds. Details are nice with minimal part prep (I've had more prep on similar models) although I do think the tires are a little on the skinny side for me. Parts are molded in white, clear, transparent red and of course chrome. Instructions are easy to read and understand, the decal sheet is nice and the details are like I said very good. If you want to try a big truck kit, the price is fair and easy to get a nice finished product.
Very Enjoyable Project
I love this kit! The price is great, the parts fit is excellent, the chrome is great, the instructions are good, and Revell has not gone down that ridiculous more parts is better path. I've already built three (and three of the sister kit, the Peterbilt 359), finishing each one a little different, and bashing them into whatever I choose.
Revell's two low-cost big-rig kits (this one and the Peterbilt 359) do not have contest-level detail, but they do have satisfying detail, and are so relaxing and non-frustrating to assemble. I've already built three each, I have two more of each on hand, and there's no telling how many more of each I'll eventually build. I'm currently finishing a sister-kit Peterbilt as a stake-side flat-bed instead of a semi-tractor. I also plan to build one as a one-piece tank truck. After that, who knows?
Good kit, fun to build, and a GREAT value!