The DAF XF-95 is a Dutch-built truck that represents the basics of an European truck design – compact, modern, and economical.  It has a comfortable cabin for the driver, with all the latest in safety features built in – ABS brakes, rearview video camera and load sensors.

The kit comes in a very large box (21¼” x13” x5¼”).  There are 10 sprues, 4 in blue metallic plastic, 2 light gray, 3 black and 1 clear.  Also included is one very large decal sheet the size of the box!!  Some are very colorful graphics for the vehicle, which would make it look like a traveling aquarium. For my own personal tastes, I chose not to use them.  Also included are two sets of regular and high flotation tires for the trailer, standard for the truck.

The tractor part of the kit was pretty much a straightforward build.  The frame is a one-piece affair with everything on it.  There is no engine; the bottom half is represented by an oil pan and filter molded into the frame.  The transmission, drive shaft and rear suspension are all separate items.  I cut the fuel tank aft of the frame at the mount to assemble the pieces together.  By doing this, I eliminated a very nasty horizontal seam in-between all the mounting straps.

The interior of the cab is built on a platform: seats, bunk, shifter, dash and steering column.  The cab itself is made up of seven different pieces, which makes assembly very difficult.  Getting everything straight is a royal pain in the caboose!  You have to paint the interior first, which also makes this part of the build very hard.  Once the cab is on the frame, it looks good.  I added the glass to the cab after the outside was painted.  Testors Boyds Red was used for the exterior color.

The tanker trailer was an easy build.  Filler was needed on the seams of the tank.  The trailer was also painted Boyds Red.

Overall this is a nice kit.  I think a nice engine would have been cool – but beggars cannot be choosey!!!