1/35 Ryefield Type 82e Staff Car

[mustang1989]

I’ve really been tied up with my Ford Maverick build over in the Drag Cars Section. Never before have I had to do so much in the way of plan out and precise fit to get a model to “work” convincingly before. It seems like it’s been one step forward and two steps back for over a half of a year now. Right now I'm stuck with trying to get an AMT '67 Mustang engine bay to work with the Jo-Han '70 Maverick body and all line up with the frame at the same time. The last few months I’ve needed distractions to keep me motivated in building so that I’m at least getting something accomplished at the bench. With this latest snag with the Mav I again…..need something to keep me motivated. I thought long and hard about either another OOB auto build or something else.  I pondered my options and thought to myself, “What if I combined the best of two worlds and satisfied my auto craving while at the same time doing something militaristic in nature?”. What I came up with was something that’s a little outside of my scale preference but something that I’ve been wanting to build since late last year.

Ya see…..I’ve got this 1/35 scale Ryefield Type 82E VW Beetle in my collection and right of the box it’s one helluva kit. It’s got an engine and full interior as well as lotsa details under the “hood” where the spare tire and all that stuff is. I’m going to order some 1/35 scale small arms and equipment to kind of set it off a little bit but it’s going to be an OOB build with some teeny mods done to it to enhance what is already there. 

And with that……we’ll be starting with this……

Edited August 3, 2020 by mustang1989

[bisc63]

Sweet!

[mustang1989]

4 hours ago, bisc63 said:

Sweet!

Thanks Rusty.

Prior to posting the OP I'd been working on the chassis pretty much all week and I've gotta say that I am thoroughly impressed at all the detail in 1/35 scale. I managed to get all the rear suspension and exhaust work done (except for the tail pipe that I'll install later on to keep from snapping it off). I've also got the weathering done in the way of chipping and dirt effects. I tried as hard as I could to achieve the right balance but then again I'm no expert in the military vehicle field as far as WWII is concerned.

[Mike999]

2 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

I tried as hard as I could to achieve the right balance but then again I'm no expert in the military vehicle field as far as WWII is concerned.

As somebody who hangs around military modeling sites, and buys 1/35 scale kits but seldom builds them, I'm fully qualified to criticize your work. ?  Just kidding, it looks great so far. 

I hope Rye Field takes the next logical step and releases a Typ 87 Kommandeurwagen: the Beetle body mounted on a 4-wheel drive Schwimmwagen drive train.  It had wider fenders for its big Kronprinz all-terrain tires.  Sort of a WWII German version of a Baja Bug.

Back in the 1990s CMK released a whole line of 1/35 scale WWII VW variants.  They called one a Type 87 but it didn't have the wider fenders. One was the ambulance with a box body.  Though if your wounds didn't kill you, riding in that box over the VW engine would have probably finished you off.  None of these kits had engines or much interior detail, unlike the RFM kit. But CMK cleverly sold engines and interiors as separate resin upgrades.

The most interesting CMK kit was the Type 230 VW, powered by a gas generator. It included new resin parts, even the mods under the chassis, and a photo-etched metal roof rack for the spare tire.  If I go completely insane, I might try using those parts on the RFM kit. 

[cobraman]

Interesting project.

[mustang1989]

Thanks for the comments Michael and Ray. 

Good notes about the CMK Type 82. I've heard a lot about it and that it can be built up into a great kit with all the upgrades. Would be cool to see a thread on that one.

[mustang1989]

Managed to finish the base chassis off this morning. Still gotta install the wheel/ tires but that'll come after I get through with the engine and interior. Might even come after I get through installing the body onto the chassis so I can play around with ride height and stance a little bit.



Speaking of engine....that's next up. At ten pieces in 1/35 scale it provides an excellent platform for adding some extra details. 

[mustang1989]

A touch of rust and a little more in the weathering department.....

[Agent G]

A little inspiration for you! Looking good so far! 

 

[mustang1989]

On 8/10/2020 at 8:27 AM, Agent G said:

A little inspiration for you! Looking good so far! 

 

Wayne......I've gotta say that I miss seeing you around bud and I certainly appreciate you stopping in. Gonna have to catch up pretty soon buddy.

[mustang1989]

Ok....I'm back. Work has been totally kicking my a$$ as of late. Too far behind on work, not enough people to do the job with and now we're working over time just to not get any further behind. That being said I've been pretty tired and haven't felt much like sitting in front of a computer in what little time that I do have off these days. I did get today off so I figured I'd catch up on the rest of the forum and then here in this thread.

Even though I've been working like a dog I have NOT given up my benchtime. I managed to build the engine and install and start work on the interior.

The engine originally had 11 parts to it but in typical fashion I added the spark plug wires, fuel line from the pump to the carburetor and installed the circuits leading to the generator. I would've posted progress sooner but I took Macro shots and spotted more boo-boo's than I could count so I made all the corrections and now have a presentable bit of progress. If anyone is thinking about getting this kit...I HIGHLY recommend it. Plenty of detail and goes together very well.

[mustang1989]

This doesn't look like it but there's been a ton of work done to this thing since the last update. Shift, throttle/clutch/ brake and actuating levers installed , seats painted and installed (obviously) and a newspaper that I got from Fields of Glory. Mild weathering adorns the entire floor and rear shelf area as well. The seats took two tries as I wasn't happy with the look of the seats when initially painted.

[mustang1989]

Added a few more details this morning. Eyeglasses on the newspaper up front, Helmet and folded map on the rear package tray. I'm debating on whether or not to throw an MP40 back there too but wondering how realistic that'll be. Not many soldiers leave their weapons laying around.

[Mike999]

Those little details, like the glasses, really make it pop! Great work.

Tamiya Model Military Magazine covered the Rye Field kit a couple of months ago.  The builder made it as a vehicle belonging to a Propaganda Company, with a roof rack and big loudspeaker on top. The loudspeaker and luggage are from Plus Models.

He put it in a small diorama with a set of Black Dog figures that included a movie camera-man.

[mustang1989]

Thanks Michael! I did indeed see this build on the internet and it truly is a great build. Lots of detail and weathering in that one!!! 

I'm having alot of fun with this one. I decided not to go with any weapons on this one but I did put alot of goodies on the package tray and behind the rear seat like binoculars, map case and bread pouch. I'm done with this part and will be moving on to the dash, steering column and steering wheel.

[mustang1989]

Ok folks. Here's the completed chassis and interior. I don't have the wheels and tires on just yet because I like to do that in one of the last phases of auto builds. Just making sure that I have a good stance and no "three wheeler" look. The only thing I don't have pictured with the interior is the first aid kit. That will be fastened to the L/H rear side wall of the interior next to the rear seat.

 

[mustang1989]

Alot of progress yesterday. Getting close now I think. You really can't' see the weathering in this pic but it's there. Maybe it'll all show up in the glamour shots when I get to the end of the build.

 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Really cool project Joe!   It's a nice little car and the details are surprising for the 1/35 scale.  The engine is beautiful and all the work you have done so far is top notch.  Did the kit come with doors that open or did you separate them from the body yourself?   Keep doing your good job my friend, as long as you find satisfaction and pleasure in it, that's all that matters!!! ?

[89AKurt]

Very nice all around.  I've considered getting one of these, but have so many others.......  

[mustang1989]

On 9/5/2020 at 7:36 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Really cool project Joe!   It's a nice little car and the details are surprising for the 1/35 scale.  The engine is beautiful and all the work you have done so far is top notch.  Did the kit come with doors that open or did you separate them from the body yourself?   Keep doing your good job my friend, as long as you find satisfaction and pleasure in it, that's all that matters!!! ?

Thanks Francis. Actually the doors came separately. This really is a cool kit. Lots of details and very minimal fit issues.

On 9/5/2020 at 10:07 PM, 89AKurt said:

Very nice all around.  I've considered getting one of these, but have so many others.......  

Thanks Kurt! My advice.....get one!! Awesome kit.

[mustang1989]

   Got alot of stuff done to this one in the last week that finally all came together enough for an update. Windows are installed along with a lot of knick knacks on the body like tail lights , headlights, rearview mirror and little stuff like that. I was finally able to install the chassis into the body and mount up some tire/ wheel assemblies for it as well so she's on wheels now.
   The only real shortcoming I've found with this kit is in the windshield fit. Man......after all the good fortune I've had with it I found the Achilles heel in this model. The windshield.....good Lord the windshield. Make dang sure you test fit the heck out of it because you're going to have to sand the living daylights out of it to get it to fit right. I beat mine into shape but it was sure tough.

On wheels....

Edited September 17, 2020 by mustang1989

[mustang1989]

Thank you all who either looked in on or commented on this build along the way. This puppy is now in the "Under Glass" Section.