Volkswagen T2 Camper Bus von Hachette in 1:8

[keramh]

hello,

Today the doorbell rang and the postman gave me the first delivery. 

When it was published by Salvat some time ago, I really hoped that it would make it to Germany.

I wanted to have it as a complement to my Trabant with Dübener Ei caravan back then.

In the meantime, I have also got hold of the camping accessories from the VW Beetle, issues 101 to 109, so that it will all make a really nice camping diorama.

But now to the kit and the first delivery.

Also in the box is the folder for collecting the accompanying booklets.

What is really nice about this is that it is a proper folder with a sensible filing mechanism.

There was also a small Phillips screwdriver from Wera in the box. This feels amazingly good in the hand, let's hope it lasts a long time.

Here is issue 1

The brochure for the model

and the magazine

As always, the parts supplied and the assembly instructions are explained step by step on the first pages.

This is followed by an article on the history of the T2

and an article on the history of Volkswagen.

Everyone has to decide for themselves whether these articles make sense.

Finally, on the back we get the obligatory preview of the next issue.

we start with the assembly of edition 1

the delivered parts in the blister pack

the parts seem to have been taken 1:1 from the Argentinian subsidiary Salvat.

And here the delivered parts are unpacked.

The headlights are inserted from the front and screwed on from the back.

The paint is excellent, you can clearly see how the quality has improved in recent years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[keramh]

With issue 2 we received the front bumper, the indicators and the grill.



The components in the blister pack and unpacked.

In the first step of this issue, the bumper bracket is screwed onto the front.



Since the screws are made of metal and the screws have to cut their own threads, it is recommended to use oil.

You can use pretty much anything here, e.g. you can put the screws in your buttered bread roll beforehand, that will definitely work.

But to avoid any later harmful consequences, you should make sure that the screwing or cutting aid you choose is acid-free.

I use drilling and cutting oil from Caramba, it was cheap and lasts forever.


The fully assembled bumper bracket.



Now comes the assembly of the bumper itself. Unfortunately, it is only made of plastic, but it's good, the solid substructure makes everything quite stable.

Before this can be assembled, the license plate holder must first be screwed on.

and now everything together



The indicator lenses are excellently designed and have fine details like the original.

These are inserted into the front panel from behind and then screwed to the reflector.





Another picture of the intermediate step



Now the grille is installed





Everything is again very fine and detailed.

And the final picture after the 2nd edition.

[keramh]

The 3rd edition brought the spare wheel, which is very prominently located on the front of our T2.

As always, the delivered components are in a blister pack and then unpacked.

We start by assembling the bracket. This is simply put together and screwed to the front with 4 screws.

Now the first wheel is assembled. While the middle part is made of metal, the back of the rim is made of plastic.

Both parts are connected to each other with 3 screws.

Now the tire can be put on. My preparation while the water is being heated in the kettle.

The tire is poured over with boiling water and can now be pulled for 5 minutes.

Carefully removed and thoroughly dried, the rubber is wonderfully soft and can be pulled over the rim without any problem.

The wheel is then screwed to the previously attached bracket with three screws.

And the final picture after the 3rd delivery.

Here is another picture of everything we received today.

Now we have to wait and see what will be delivered at the end of September.

[keramh]

hello,

issues 4 to 7 have arrived. So let's continue with number 4.

The parts are still packed in a blister pack and individually on the table.

The windshield has a separate frame, the parts are put together and screwed to the front from behind.

Then the washer nozzles are inserted.

Next come the windshield wipers and the antenna is mounted on the A-pillar.

Now the protective cover for the spare wheel and that's it for issue 4.

So let's continue with number 5.

 

 

 

[keramh]

This issue will not be published until next Wednesday, but it is here today...

A huge change is coming. Anyone who has ever built the subscription models knows what a huge mountain of plastic waste the individual issues cause.

Hachette is now taking a different approach, from issue 5 onwards the components come in a small box.

The parts themselves are carefully wrapped in thin tissue paper.

There is nothing more to say about the assembly except perhaps that there were only 4 small plastic pieces.

So really 4 components... is that really necessary?

[keramh]

So let's continue with issue 6, which will not be published until October 9, 2024.

the parts again in a small box

and unpacked

3 components, it just keeps getting better...

Now this assembly is screwed together with the assembly from issue 4.

So you could have put issues 5 and 6 together in one issue.

[keramh]

And now for the end of this construction period, issue 7, which will be on sale on October 16th.

There is not even a preview on the Hachette website for the last two issues 6 and 7.

So everything here is exclusive to you.

The components are carefully wrapped in a stylish box.

and unpacked on my table.

The two metal parts of this delivery are screwed together.

The fan wheel is inserted and everything is screwed together with the assembly from 5 and 6.

That was everything we received with issues 4 to 7 and screwed together in less than 45 minutes.

Another gift was also included in this delivery, a really beautiful mug.