Tamiya

1/48 Volkswagen Type 82 E Staff Car

Kit Number: 32531

Reviewed by  Travis Russ, IPMS# 32701

MSRP: $14.95 The history of the Volkswagen and its legendary Beetle are well known. Produced in numbers over 20 million units between 1938 and 2003, it is an automotive icon recognizable at a single glance. The Type 82E shared its 2 wheel drive chassis and flat four cylinder engine with its military brother the Kubelwagen.

Tamiya's offering in diminutive 1/48th scale and comes molded flash free in 46 crisp tan and clear parts. Mold seams are very light and ejector pin marks are well hidden except for two small ones on the back of the bumpers that should be filled. Construction begins with the chassis pan that includes molded on front and rear suspension and engine detail with separate front sway bar and rear exhaust system. There are two options for the well molded wheels and tires depending if you choose the military or civilian options. The military open wheels have the correct front hub and rear drive axle spline detail. Civilian wheels have generic domed covers. Step two begins construction of the Spartan interior consisting of two front bucket seats, steering wheel and column and instrument panel with decal gauges. The rear bench seat bottom is molded to the package shelf with separate rear seat back. Lastly you add the center tunnel with finely molded gear shift and parking brake. No door panel detail is included on the interior but in this scale it would be all but invisible. The distinctive body shell has separate hood and headlamp buckets out front. The rear adds tail lamps and license plate bracket and lamp. There are also two choices for the head lamps that consist of either clear lenses or slit style black out covers. A note on construction here: the headlamp buckets have a small locating ramp on the backside that keys into the fenders. Be sure when removing them from the sprues that you don't cut too much away from the part as this forms a locating point and also acts as filler. Otherwise you will have a noticeable gap at the bottom of the headlamp base. There is also an option for a siren on the left front fender. Final construction consists of installation of front and rear bumpers and horn. The one piece rear and side glass is inserted inside the body before mating it to the chassis. The windshield has molded on wipers and inserts from the outside and is keyed into the side glass. A five piece driver figure is included in the kit. He has a generic field grey uniform with no unit markings and wears no helmet or cap and has no weapons as none are included. Painting and marking consist of two military and one civilian option. The civilian vehicle is painted black with chrome bumpers and wheel covers. Military markings are both circa 1945 - one Wehrmacht Heer unit stationed in Berlin; another from the Reich Traffic Administration stationed in Minsk. Both are painted Dark Yellow. Tamiya color codes are called out during construction in the two sided folded leaflet style instructions. Construction time will be under 5 hours for most. Your mileage may vary. Overall impressions of this kit are excellent!! It is of an interesting pre- and post-war subject that will look right at home in a city street diorama or next to that Tamiya Messerschmitt 262. Many thanks to Tamiya and IPMS USA for the review sample. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

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