21 December 2021
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Ixo 1976 Kenworth K100 Aerodyne White
PRICE: £35.99
REF NO: TR096
SCALE: 1/43
The Kenworth Truck Company is an American truck manufacturer. Founded in 1923 as the successor to Gersix Motor Company, Kenworth specialises in the production of heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicles. Headquartered in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, Washington, Kenworth has been a wholly owned subsidiary of PACCAR since 1945, operating alongside sister company (and marketplace rival) Peterbilt Motors.
Introduced in 1961, the Kenworth K100 lasted in the range for over 40 years, finally being withdrawn from the production line in North America in 2002. Limited production continued in Australia until 2004. Its distinctive flat-faced 'cab over' front was designed to get around length restrictions in the US. These were largely lifted in the 1980s, but the K100 was hugely popular and had already established a big following.
Kenworth introduced an industry first with the raised-roof Aerodyne sleeper in 1976. The new design quickly set a new standard for driver comfort and the Aerodyne sleeper cab was actually the first factory-produced sleeper cab with stand-up headroom - something we take for granted these days.
This is Ixo's fourth commercially available release of the K100 (fifth if you include an Altaya partwork release), but this is possibly the most visually appealing version of this mighty and most definitely iconic American truck. Featuring all over white paintwork and embellished with relatively subtle red and blue striping that shouts a hint of patriotism, it certainly makes an 'entrance' wherever it travels.
Starting from the bottom, the chassis is very well detailed, with authentic rubber tyres fitted to very realistic, chrome-enhanced wheels. The rear deck features a fifth wheel , of course, and there is plenty of chrome to keep the average custom truck enthusiast happy, including fuel tanks and wheel arches. To the rear of the chassis is a panel that carries the rear light lenses and the mud/rain flaps are neatly mounted here too.
Moving up to the cab itself, it is well-detailed, with panel lines clearly visible, and it features a lot of subtle trim elements, such as handrails, handles and vents. Chromed vertical pipe exhausts dominate the back of the cab, whilst to the front, that famous flat-face is adorned by a well-replicated grille, proudly wearing the famous KW badge, of course, neat light lenses and windscreen wipers that feature a good level of detail without being frighteningly flimsy.
Those well-known flat screen panels are very neatly mounted and the side doors are flanked with aerials and sturdy mirrors. Through the screen, the nicely appointed interior can be appreciated.
Moving up onto the cab roof, an all important pair of horns is mounted one on either side, and a total of five orange indicator/running lights complete the look, one on either side, just outside the horns, and three grouped centrally.
Just to the rear of these is the Aerodyne uplift, with its angled glass panels allowing yet more interior viewing. On top of this extension, to the rear, is a small aerodynamic lip spoiler, completing the much-admired look of this classic American beast.
Overall, it certainly has 'road presence' and it's easy to see why this most interesting design is so popular. A great model.