Volkswagen 1953 - Gunze Sangyo 1/24

[CarlR]

This model kit is a curious combination of some things done very well and others that fall woefully short of the mark.

The mold is well done and those parts that are formed of styrene are crisp and fit well  - except the windows. There are no positive location marks and their precise location is a guess at best with the front window being the worst offender.  There is a vinyl insert that is supposed to fit into the windshield opening but I was unable to get that concept to work on my example. I did my best to simulate the rubber surround by applying a thin strip of masking tape and painting it black.Some parts of the kit that should have been made in styrene are made of black vinyl. That's ok for the tires but they also use black vinyl for the interior door panels, the inside wheel wells at the front and the bulkhead between the interior and the engine area. Securing and painting these areas was challenge to say the least!

The decals on my example had yellowed and were too brittle to use but even if they had been brand new and serviceable, I still would have replaced them because the graphic quality was so poor. I searched the internet for appropriate photos of the speedometer and crests/badges on the steering wheel and hood. They were shrunk to the correct size and secured to the model with white glue.

 

In spite of these challenges, I am quite pleased with how this model turned out.

 

Thanks to my brother who supplied me with the kit.

 

 

[Dann Tier]

even with all of those troubles, you still produced a VERY nice model!! -love the license plate too!

[cobraman]

Good looking bug.

[slusher]

Nice VW..

[ChrisR]

Looks great.

[Janne Herajärvi]

Looking good 

[Yahshu]

My favourite of the bugs, nice build 

[DumpyDan]

Love it, great colors and nice pictures

[bbowser]

I like it, very clean work despite the troubles.  Don't think I've ever seen one in 2-tone, looks good.

[PARTSMARTY]

Really cool-great color combo. !!!

[unclescott58]

Nice looking bug. The colors really make it stand out. The vinyl interior is one of the reasons I've stayed from their Karman-Ghia kit. Bought the Tamiya one instead.

 

[espo]

Looks very nice. I remember seeing tu-tone paint jobs like that years ago. Good idea on the window moldings.

[Chuck Most]

Very nice looking little Bug. This is one of the few kits I think ISN'T reissued frequently enough!

Yes, the Gunze kits are odd with their vinyl interior parts, but there really isn't much to fear. A little superglue to hold them in place, and some Duplicolor primer over the parts if you need to paint them- most hobby lacquers and acrylics work well on them too.  But yes, that windshield gasket can be a bigger pain than it really needs to be. 

If you think adding the vinyl windshield trim to this is a chore, try adding all the canopy gaskets to their Messerschmidt one of these days.  

[rmvw guy]

Looks real good to my eyes.   Thanks for the critique, I have one on the shelf to build. Like everyone is saying, I think you met the challenge. Nice job.

[carman1]

Looks great  !  I like the tu-tone  !

[CarlR]

thank you all for your positive comments

[Dann Tier]

thank you all for your positive comments

Forgot to tell you that I also really like the black wash you did in the rear vent. so many try, but it just ends up looking inconsistent and messy. did you etch it deeper prior to painting?

[Chromecop]

Very nice work! It's a fun and simple kit to build and a very good platform for doing various custom/rod VW's !

[GeeBee]

Very nice build, I've only built one Gunze Sangyo kit, and yes, those vinyl parts are a little tricky, the window trim being the worse 

[DumpyDan]

even with all of those troubles, you still produced a VERY nice model!! -love the license plate too!

Agreed

[vintagercr]

Very nice!