1:24 SCALE REVELL VW T2 IS THE MISSING LINK IN BUS KITS

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING but finally the gap has been filled between the first Volkswagen MicroBus T1 and the third, T3 version. But now we can give an overdue welcome to this 1:24 scale Revell kit of the model in the middle, the VW T2.

2012 INCOMING - 1:18 SCALE MG RACE CAR FROM OTTOMOBILE

SMN report:

Due soon from OttOmobile of France is a 1:18 scale model of a “complete animal” of a mid-engined British race car, the MG Metro 6R4 from the 1980s.

VOLKSWAGEN CAMPER VAN - BULLI IS GO, LEGO MAKING KIT OF THE CLASSIC SPLIT-SCREEN

SMN report:

Great news for Volkswagen fans as it’s been confirmed that VW will produce a petrol/diesel version of the Bulli electric MPV concept in a couple of years - or maybe less. The VW Bulli was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, drawing applause for being an MPV that people might actually want to buy - in other words, a compact people-mover with some sense of style. It has to be said that not everyone was moved instantly - some VW fans muttered that the Bulli wasn’t dramatic enough, but our view a few months later is that it’s pretty OK. 

Nice one - hefty box for the LEGO Camper Van.

NEW 2011 VW BULLI vs. OLD HIPPIEVAN, PLUS NEW CONCEPTS, DIECASTS TO LOOK AT

David Jefferis looks at the VW Bus

Mat Irvine’s VW Microbus article stirred up some comments, especially when we invited comparisons with the new Bulli version, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, which ends on 13 March.

Other ideas out there

Seems as if VW’s Bulli is a bit plain-Jane for VeeDub fans, and too similar to people-movers like the Ford Galaxy et al. Also, the 2001 concept was - and remains - sooo much cooler. So I thought it might be interesting to see what else is out there, and ran across a couple of concepts. First off, the Photochop from ‘D nice’ at VW Vortex smooths off the nose and blacks out the glass to bring back some character - compare them above and see what you think. I know which I like! Then there’s also the work of Canadian designer Alexandre Verdier, whose ideas are very nice indeed, especially his ‘woodie’ version, shown after the 'read more' jump.

REVELL VW MICROBUS AND A NEW VERSION AT THE 2011 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Mat Irvine looks at the 1:24 scale Revell VW Microbus kit

Way back in 1957, Revell Inc was based in Venice, California, close to the sea and surf of the Pacific Ocean. The company produced a kit of what was becoming one of the vehicles in which to carry your surfboard. But this wasn’t a product of one of the major American car companies - instead, it came from the other side of the Atlantic, for it was a kit of the German VW Microbus, also known as the Samba or Combi. 

Revell and Hasegawa link up

The kit used a multi-piece body, in that you got separate side, front and rear panels, roof and four doors, plus hatches at the back. Over the years the kit was modified (the rear hatch was enlarged) and reissued in a number of guises. But the kit was slightly showing its age and when Hasegawa also decided to make a VW Bus, (with van and pickup versions as well), Revell (which had a tie-in with the Japanese company for some time) reboxed the kit and issued it as its own. This time the body was the more usual one-piece, though features such as opening doors and separate engine were not a feature of the Hasegawa version.

SURF’S UP WITH A CLASSIC VW BUS FROM HASEGAWA

The classic ‘split-screen’ Volkswagen Type 2 bus just never goes away. Introduced in 1950, and with an uprated single-screen ‘bay window’ version still being made in Brazil, it has had far and away the longest production run of any commercial vehicle. The flower-power 1960s were probably the heyday of the split-screen, when it became a symbol of hippiedom and of course, surfer dudes. Yet here we are in 2009, with teenagers (including my daughter) still wanting one, spurning modern high-tech designs for the desirable retro looks of the old VW bus.

And now Hasegawa gives us a taste of that bygone era with a very nice 1:24 scale VW Surf Bus, which is the one with rows of neat eyebrow windows running down the sides (top picture). For this 2009 offering, Hasagawa has given the kit some extras, including a pair of neatly moulded resin surfboards, and a roof carrier to display them. The kit is very well done, and just waiting for the addition of sea, sand and bikini-clad girls, on a diorama display.

Hasegawa also produces two other variations on the 1:24 VW T2 theme, a delivery van (middle) and pickup truck (bottom). These are already available from model stores and online suppliers, including Amazon here. The Surf Bus is due in shortly.