If you needed to tow a really big rig – you would need a really big wrecker! This replica kit does the real thing justice and it’s got pretty good quality for an older mold.

The Kit

This review covers the Re-release of the Kenworth W900 Wrecker by Revell in 1/25 scale. Although it’s not really described as such, this is a 2-N-1 kit. You could also just build it as a day cab, as those parts are in the kit too. This is kit #85-2510 in the Historic Series of kits. Revell rates this as a Skill Level 5 for advanced builders and it contains 411 parts molded in White, Chrome, Clear and Vinyl and has Chain and Cording and crisp waterslide decals. The instructions are typical of the Revell “book style” format. This is a previously released kit (Re-Pop) and has been seen in multiple releases in the past, this kit is unchanged except for updated decals. In this build you get a detailed kit with a full motor and chassis that gets full assembly. The interior is nicely detailed and the dash is a large decal which makes it appealing. The cab and hood are solid parts but the wrecker bed needs full assembly. This is an extensive build that requires time for part assemblies to dry before moving on to the next step so patience is required. Completed dimensions are: Length: 14", Width: 4-7/16", Height: 6".

NOTE: Revell had a serious issue with initial kit production and while a majority of the kits on the market will have the all the parts in the box, a portion of the first run was missing a complete parts tree! Contact Revell for a replacement.

Construction and Detailing

If you want an impressive matching scale model for your big rig displays this kit is just what you need. This is a large kit so it will take you longer to finish just because of the sheer parts count. Many of the rounded parts are molded in two halves and that can require some filling, sanding and sometimes refinishing (as in the case of chromed tanks) to properly build the kit to its full potential. That said; it’s a beautiful kit and the extra time is worth it when you’re finished.

Construction starts with the chassis and following the instructions it is very straight-forward. Assemble of the front and rear suspension components and adding them to the frame is smooth. You can detail the various parts or paint the undercarriage flat black. A little seam filling and color variation really makes it standout though. The motor is pretty accurate although many parts are molded in. There are enough separate pieces to make the motor/tranny look great with some detailing. Dropping the motor into the frame and adding the radiator is all for the frame parts. Attach the front bumper, tanks and steps. It’s here that you’re faced with the kit’s only major downfall: choosing whether to accept the split fuel tanks or finishing them in another manner.

The interior tub is basic but then so is the real one. Adding some contrasting colors to the seats and sidewalls breaks it up nicely, and with the full size dash decal it makes for a good looking representation of the real thing.

A couple of the mold lines on the cab are on the heavy side but they come off easily and assembly is no problem. Prime, paint, and decal using some setting solution then add in the windows with some white glue and install the tub into the cab. Attach the wiper blades on the outside and snap the cab onto the frame. Add on the air filters and tubes, exhaust pipes. Use a little gel superglue and attach the chrome pieces to the cab. Use some blackwash to bring out the grill detail and install it along with the blinkers, headlights and optional lightbar. Assemble and snap on the wheels to finish the cab and you’re well on your way. This is also where you can make another build decision. There are all the parts in the kit to make this a day cab by adding the fifth wheel and covers to the rear frame at this point and leave off the wrecker bed and boom.

There are quite a few panels to put together but the wrecker bed assembly goes nicely with positive contact points. After priming and paint you can add the decals here but it works better if you section them then realign them using some setting solution rather than trying to place the decal on in one piece. Now place the chrome bed rails and diamond plate and build the boom. Construct the cylinder housing and mount that to the bed after paint. Next, assemble the crane and paint that then add the decals to those pieces. Build the two winches and install them then add the crane to the cylinder housing and feed the cable through the cable housing and over the pulleys through the sheave support and tie the hooks in place. Add the loose chain in the bed’s open well. Paint and add the support legs and spotlights and you’ve got a great looking wrecker to service your big rig models.

Conclusion

The subject is great and the assembly was smooth. There were no issues at all and fit and finish was on par with the more expensive quality kits of today’s market. This was a great fitting build for a re-pop. However, I do have to mention the big issue with the missing tree in the original release of the kit. Revell did realize and will provide the parts quickly. Now back to the good stuff! The build on this kit was quite easy for a semi truck model. The frame was straight and I had no twist issues. The motor detail was crisp and the parts count decent enough to make detailing a non-issue. The interior was well done with dash decals, but otherwise it’s quite sparse and basic, still holding the 70’s quilted patterns. The cab fit was very straight. Surprisingly, the hood fit perfectly without issue the first time! As for the wrecker assembly it has a lot of parts and looks complicated but, if you follow the steps it goes together nicely. With a high parts count and quality construction this kit rates with the European branded kits in quality. With only minor details and some aftermarket stuff this can be a contest winner! It was a clean build but it takes some time and I want to thank Revell for making this kit available again and the IPMS USA for letting me review it.