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Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20150213* Volkswagen Type 82e Staff Car 1:48 Scale Tamiya Model Kit #32531 Review

One of the many vehicles employed by the German army in WWII was the Volkswagen Type 82E. This automobile combined a sedan body with a Kubelwagen chassis for excellent running performance on rough terrain. Entering production just prior to the start of WWII in 1938 and known during the war as the KDF Wagen, the VW came in 3 types: Type 60 civilian sedan, military Type 82E, which featured the Kubelwagen chassis and a sedan body, and military 4WD vehicle Type 87. As many as 546 models of the Type 82E were built between 1941 and 1946. Featuring road clearance 75mm higher than the civilian model, the Type 82E offered improved driving performance. The Volkswagen Type 82E was used as a staff car by many German military and government officials. For the Modeler: This review covers the Tamiya Kit #32531 in the 1/48 Military Miniature Series (Number 31), released in 2007. This was an all-new molding and original release of this kit and is still readily available. The kit contains around 50 parts molded in Tan and Clear on two sprues. There are 3 decal choices for different usages. The instructions are in multiple languages as is common in Tamiya kits. Paint color callouts reference Tamiya brand paints. For a 1/48 scale you get a well detailed build that constructs in four steps. The moldings all look very good with no flash or troublesome ejector pin marks. The kit also includes a driver figure and like many of the Tamiya 1/48 figures, the detail on the face and hands is weak. To ease construction assemble the model in sub-assemblies and then paint all sub-units before final assembly. Tamiya calls for TS-3 (Dark Yellow) as the main color but I am using a Flat Khaki. Overall size is: Length: 3”, Width: 1-1/4”, Height: 1-1/4”.

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BUILDING CAVIATS: Having organization and a proper work area is important if you want to build a model properly. But even without dedicated space a place to leave your build while you work is necessary. Being able to lay out your parts organized helps the build as you are not digging for parts in the box possibly losing or damaging them. Also you really should have a place to let painted parts cure. Throughout the review you will find OPTIONAL IDEAS that I suggest. These are completely your choice. Not doing these steps will in no way affect the build, they are just ways to offer some personal and custom touches to your builds. OPTIONS will be noted. One of the best parts of model building is using your imagination to create the car YOU want! Unless you are building a “Factory Stock” or a “Replica” car your choices of color and build options is completely up to you. The instruction give recommendations but you are free to substitute whatever options you want. There is no “Wrong way” to build your kit! Have fun and enjoy your hobby. Review the instruction sheet thoroughly to get familiar with the assembly sequence. Decide your color scheme in advance and your custom options so you can build accordingly.

PIC 1 This is the box art for this kit as released in the Original 2007 version. Unless otherwise stated I use Testors Tube Glue (Orange Tube) for assembly of the parts. Other adhesives used in the construction are Superglue and Elmer’s White Glue. Paints consist of Testors Enamel or Tamiya Acrylic bottle paints and different brands of “Rattle can” spray paints. The body is finished using 1:1 automotive use paint products shot with an airbrush. One of the major benefits of using automotive paint is a very fast drying time. You can get just as good results using Spray can

products but they require a longer drying time. Automotive paint is FULLY cured in less than an hour and clear about 6 hours. Use a good quality airbrush to paint automotive products because Lacquer Thinner will destroy the cheaper ones quickly. Assembly paint colors may vary from instructions as I use simplified colors that most model builders should have on hand. Before beginning your build soak and wash your parts with a mild detergent like DAWN to remove any mold release agents and help with paint adhesion. Note to remember: Always follow the Manufacturer’s Safety and Use Guidelines when using any of the products mentioned in the review for your own protection. PIC 2 Here are the decals included with the kit. These are very small and care must be taken when used to not lose them. You get three license plate versions and dash decals.

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PIC 3 Start the chassis assembly. The main chassis can be assembled prior to paint. Note if building the Military version do not use the hub caps and for the Civilian version do not use the open rims.

PIC 4 Assemble the axles in place. On the front, add the suspension. Paint this and the tires Flat Black. The rims are Dark Yellow, I used Flat Khaki. Highlight the motor Aluminum and paint the exhaust Steel. Install the exhaust. Insert the rims and install the tires.

PIC 5 The rolling chassis.

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PIC 6 PIC 7 Install the interior. Paint the front seats, rear seat back and bottom half of the rear seat Dark Tan. The package shelf is Tan. The center part is Tan with Black shifter and brake. The column is Tan and the wheel Black. Install the rear seat back and the seat unit into the floor pan. Add the center hump and front seats. Install the steering wheel to the column and the column to the interior.

PIC 8 PIC 9 The driver is optional. If used, paint the clothing Flat Grey. The skin is Flesh Tone. The boots and belt Black and the hair Flat Brown. Add the head to the body. Insert the body into the driver’s seat and glue in place. Add the arms in place with the hands on the steering wheel.

PIC 10 PIC 11 Paint the dash Tan and add the decals in place. This will be assembled later.

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PIC 12 PIC 13 The body can be completely assembled prior to painting. The bumpers will be painted separate but the tag holder and horn on the front bumper is installed now. Attach the hood to the body. Attach the headlight bezels to the body. For the military version use the headlight covers, civilian version has lenses. On the rear add the tag holder and tail lights. Note in the close up to drill out the hole in the driver fender for the siren on the military version. PIC 14 This can be painted as a unit Flat Khaki. Paint the body and bumpers completely. As this is a military car all chrome work was painted to match the body. Do not highlight the chrome for the military version. As I used a water based paint that was very close in color to the body I scuffed the body but did not Primer it.

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PIC 15 PIC 16 Install the glass. The side and rear glass is installed from the inside and glued in place with Elmer’s Glue. The front glass has the rubber molding and wipers highlighted with a Black Sharpie and installs from the outside into place.

PIC 17 Install the dash into the interior.

PIC 18 Install the chassis the interior.

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PIC 19 & 20 On the front end add the bumper to the mounts and pick a tag to add. PIC 20 On the rear paint the tail lights Stop Light Red. Add the bumper to the mounts. Add the matching rear tag.

PIC 21 Based on how you assembled your car you will have a few parts left over and some tags.

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999 OVERALL IMPRESSION: Tamiya has a full line of the 1/48 scale military diorama kits. This one, like most of their other kits, is good quality, assembly is easy and overall fit and finish is nice. This is a weekend project and can be completed in a day quite easily. However, the parts are small and care must be taken not to damage them in assembly. I had no Flash and clean-up of the parts is minimal. What really makes these builds shine is weathering them and making a realistic setting in a diorama. I enjoy these little builds and find them a nice diversion to the typical 1/24-1/25 scale car builds I usually do. On a scale of 1 to 10 I rate this as a 9.