VW Microbus Deluxe 23-window

[iceracer1]

Today I picked up a new kit from my pile.

I'll build this for a dutch modelling magazine.
It's the ''new'' Revell T1 Microbus with 23 windows.



It contains a lot of parts, but most of them are from the separated body. I don't like this at all, but after reading some other their work, the fittment is quite good, so nothing to worry about






I wanted some original colors, but most people use the red/white combo (which is also beautifull!!) but I wanted something else. Cause it is a Deluxe version, I also wanted some luxery painting. I came up with the red/brown combo. The orginal paint names are Dunkelbraun and Siegellackrot. I ordered them at Hiroboy and here they are:



And here some referencepics i'll use for this project.






http://www.oldbug.com/5623.htm

I heard some people don't like the original wheels in this Revell kit, cause they should be to big. If you look at the real pics you can see that this bus is equiped with those ''big'' wheels. Maybe this was an option or something?

I'll start this project very soon. First thing to do is the engine which will be wired.

Kris.

[alviga69]

woow!!!
looks like it will be an interesting project!

[ravan17]

this one should be good

[512BB]

Interesting subject, but the way they breakdown the body might make it difficult to align or be square!

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by 512BB

Interesting subject, but the way they breakdown the body might make it difficult to align or be square!

It is not that difficult. Chassis/engine/interior build up amazingly well. Body panels assemble fairly well over the finished chassis/interior. Assembly isn't bad, but all the various masking/painting/masking of all the various interior & exterior colors before final assembly is tedious, since the interior side panels are molded to the exterior parts.

Looking forward to seeing this one build, love the color scheme of the older T1.

[iceracer1]

Last days I started on this bus. First thing to do was the chassis and engine.

First of all I painted the chassis with semigloss grey as the instructions says. After that I painted some details black and aluminium. The suspension etc was painted semigloss black and some engine details were painted gun metal and aluminium.
After placing the parts I wheatered it a bit.











I painted the engine bay with Zero Paints Siegellack rot (L53) after it was dry, I clearcoated it with the pre-thinned clear also from Zero Paints.

The engine is painted semigloss black and gun metal. Some other paints were used to paint the smalle details and parts. I also added some sparkplug wiring.

The battery is also on his place.







Kris.

[MidMazar]

Nice, the wash or dry brush on the tank is awesome.

[iceracer1]

After some sanding on every bodypart, I finally could spray some Zero Paints primer on it.

Today I masked of the exterior, and paint the interior. The interior will be light and darker brown, so I first painted the light brown. This is Revell Matt 94 to be exactly.

Here's my inspiration. It won't be 100% the same, but I'll try to replicate it for about 90%









Kris.

[AmazonSprite]

Following this with great interest - can't wait to see more!

[iceracer1]

I painted the interior with a second brown color, but this time a darker one.







After that I masked of the interior, to paint the exterior. First I painted all parts red.



When this was dry, I masked of the red, to paint the upper area brown. I had a lot of masking to do, cause there must be some brown also beneath the ''deluxe'' trim.













Tomorrow I hope to add the decals, so I can clearcoat the body parts.

Kris.

[iceracer1]

Yesterday I tooke my time to add the decals. The decals from Revell are very nice, and they allow you to move them a bit during the weakness proces.

I also painted the wheels, and bumpers because I want to clearcoat everything together. For clear I used Zero 2K Clear.

I think there are about 3 layers on every item.

On some pics the shine isn't visible, but believe me it's there. I think I'm not going to polish this paint with micromesh set, but i'll only use some different waxes and compounds.



















Kris.

[Drift F.C]

Great progress, any fit issues so far?

[iceracer1]

Originally Posted by Drift F.C

Great progress, any fit issues so far?

So far not any. It seems like Revell is making good models these days!

Kris.

[Bossolani]

Amazing kit Kris!!!

You did a really nice paint job w/ these all separeted pieces!!!

Keep us posted bro!!

Cesar Bossolani

[iceracer1]

Today I decided to polish the paint.... So here is the result:



















I also painted some parts semi gloss black with Modelmaster paint. First both roof options. Opened or closed sunroof:



And a part of the interior.


And of course the ''vinyl'' floormat. (how do you guys name this?)
You can also see the ScaleProduction interiorflocking at the backside.





Yesterday I went nuts! I alway hate to paint windowtrims on the clearparts..... This bus have got 23 windows for me to be done.....

First I added some masking tape on the backside. Than put another masking tape over the outside and press it donw with some toothpicks and earcleaners ( :?: ). Then cut out the center of it and you'll have a smooth cutted windowtrim. Now it must be painted semigloss black. I used Revell SM85 enamel for it.









Meanwhile I glued the windows in the bodyparts, and I have to say the fittment is not great at all. Almost every window shows some gaps here and there. I think I'll fill up these gaps with some thick black paint.

Kris.