Volkswagen T2 Bus

My new project is the Revell of Germany Volkswagen T2 Bus. This will have a two-tone Tamiya TS-26 Pure White paint over orange plastic scheme and Tamiya TS-13 Gloss Clearcoat. To be built box stock, maybe with a some ignition wiring and whitewall tires. This is an easy-click system model with 109 parts, so no glue is necessary. But, I may use some if needed. I was inspired by Tim Rhine, the Associate Treasurer of my Classic Plastic Model Club to get this kit and build it. I have already started masking the body for the two-tone paint scheme.




More VW to come...

I saw a picture of a VW Bus with dual tailpipes and I just had to replicate them! I started thinking about the parts necessary and I found them in the Revell '29 Ford Model A Roadster kit. Out of the two kits I have, I found four (2 each) lower radiator hoses for exxhaust pipes and two metal exhaust tips from a 2006 Mustang GT that I did not use.




More VW T2 Bus to come...

This VW T2 Bus is coming along smoothly! I added the whitewall decals and I tried to get them centered and round since there is nothing on the tire to line the decal up with. The engine has been painted, assembled, decaled and modified to a dual exhaust vehicle. The front and rear suspension have been painted and assembled.




More VW T2 Bus to come...

Some masking and the interior got a bit Tamiya TS-29 Semi Gloss Black. I painted the wheels with Tamiya TS-26 Pure White. Now to add the tires.




More Volkswagen to come...

The interior is underway as we speak. All the seats are complete and I added the spare tire to the interior. The chassis is underway as well. I added a tool box to the drivers side of the engine compartment. The wheels and tires will need a coat of flat clear as one of the whitewall decals came off. I tried to replicate the whitewall with some flat white paint since my white Jelly Roll pen didn't want to work properly.




More Volkswagen to come...

I got all the seats installed on the VW, but they do look somewhat plain. I dug into the parts box and I found these decals from two Revell '29 Model A Roadsters and I thought that they would look good on the seats. That was when I discovered the two different decal colorings. Time to rethink my process! I removed the decals from the tires since I found some new decals in my parts box and the old ones had wrinkled.




More Volkswagen to come...

I went and used Tamiya X-26 Clear Orange on the plain seats of the VW T2 Bus. This changed the look of the interior! I just need to tone down the glossiness with some flat or semi gloss clear.




More Volkswagen to come...

I found new whitewall decals in my parts box and I believe they came from the Revell '68 Dodge Charger R/T. I had mounted the spare tire on the left interior sidewall, but as I looked at it, I didn't like the fact that it was too close to the sidewall. I made a bracket to space the spare tire away from the wall some. This will allow some room when the body is placed over it. I used Model Master Semi Gloss Clear on the seats and the paint ran which indicates that the clear is too hot for the paint. I'll repaint the seats and use Tamiya TS-79 Semi Gloss Clear instead, which shouldn't be as chemically hot.




More Volkswagen to come...

I got the body, roof and doors in primer. Soon to be ready for Tamiya TS-26 Racing White for the upper half of the VW T2 Bus. The bottom half will get a coat of Tamiya TS-13 Gloss Clear.




More Volkswagen to come...

Yesterday, I applied the decals to the dash panel and then I added the steering wheel and column, the parking brake and dash panel support and I did a little paint detailing.




More Volkswagen to come...

The seats have been repainted and coated with Tamiya TS-79 Semi Gloss Clear.  This Tamiya clear is different from the Testors brand.  I added the wheels to the tires and the axle inserts and the chrome hubcaps.




More Volkswagen to come...

I have been picking away at the Volkswagen Bus. I installed the interior lights, the mudflaps with decals, the owners manual on the passenger seat and the trailer hitch, receiver and lights plug receptacle.




More Volkswagen to come...

You are taking a boring looking kit (I was never a VW fan) and making it a build I am enjoying

Thanks Dirk!

At this point, I go back to the instructions looking for bits and pieces that I may have missed or would want to add later in the build. I found 4 clear lenses on sprue I and I determined that they are the side markers. There are no holes in the body from these and their placement can be verified with a side view of the VW Bus. I think I will add these a little later in the build.

I have finished my Volkswagen T2 Bus and it is posted in Completed Models-Factory Stock. I would like to thank all those who have viewed and commented on my WIP.

Nicely done. Bravo!