Mooneyes Volkswagen Bus

[Dan Hay]

I saw this Hasegawa kit on eBay and had to have it. It was a bit pricey, ($52 + shipping)  but I thought the decals were killer and have always been a fan of Moon. I now know there are several versions of the Mooneyes bus kit, including a panel van and another variation of the decals and paint scheme on another 23 window. 

I didn't stick with the paint scheme on the box, and I slammed it with Parts by parks moon discs. The kit came with pot metal moon discs but they looked terrible. The kit is a curbside, no engine detail or door panels, etc, however I think this kit may also be available as a full kit, since the doors can be easily opened but there were no hinges included. 

I will say they body was one of the most crisp and accurate I've seen. I've only built one other Japanese kit before, and they are next level. 

Paint is Tamiya Pearl Yellow and Black. Wetsanded and polised with 3M Perfect-it 3 stage compound and polish.

One more thing: I have read the threads about Testor's wet look clear and the problems people have been having but It had never happened to me.... UNTIL NOW. DO NOT USE! Especially on dark colors, bubbling that won't colorsand out. Took some fancy footwork to fix all the issues with the clearcoat. 

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by Dan Hay

[TooOld]

Beautiful work Dan , your version looks better than the box art !

[espo]

Great looking build. I think your two-tone colors look better than their box art. The box art looks almost as if they have a two-tone yellow paint job. 

[oldscool]

Nice!

[cobraman]

Very nice.

[Gustavo Reis]

Nice colors.

[Street Rod]

Looks good! Much better than the box art pictures.

[Dan Hay]

Thanks for all the kind words!

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Dan!

Somehow, the addition of black paint around the kazillion side windows creates a global focal point that accentuates (for lack of a bettter term) the iconic Mooneyes logo side decal. Love it. Bravo! 

CT

[Koellefornia Kid]

Very nicely done! Dig the two-tone, looks much better now!

[1959scudetto]

Very good choice to paint it like you did, and the moon discs give it the final custom touch!

[PappyD340]

Super cool!!

[the goon]

Very nice.

Mark

[Zippi]

That's pretty kewl.  I really like this one.  Great job.  Money well spent.

[TarheelRick]

Excellent build, I love VW vans (beetles, Ghias, all the air-cooled models). The paint work is beautiful.  What happened to the "D" in speed on the passenger side?

[stitchdup]

Adding the black to the windows is a big improvement on all yellow. Looks great slammed too

[slusher]

Very nicely done!

[ewetwo]

Love this. Looks really cool lowered like that.

[Dan Hay]

On 8/17/2022 at 8:09 AM, TarheelRick said:

Excellent build, I love VW vans (beetles, Ghias, all the air-cooled models). The paint work is beautiful.  What happened to the "D" in speed on the passenger side?

Don’t know? I may have blown it off with the clear or it came off wet sanding. 

[XYHARRY]

Nice build Dan. These Hasagawa kits are basic but the parts are very crisp and detailed. I built the 67 delivery version in the SoCal style which for me is the best style for the early VW's. Again, nice bus.

Cheers, David. ??

[ChrisR]

NICE!!

[Dan Hay]

4 hours ago, XYHARRY said:

Nice build Dan. These Hasagawa kits are basic but the parts are very crisp and detailed. I built the 67 delivery version in the SoCal style which for me is the best style for the early VW's. Again, nice bus.

Cheers, David. ??

Nice! Where did you get the BRM wheels? I have a 1:1 65 Beetle with BRMs I'd like to build a model of it. 

 

[XYHARRY]

4 hours ago, Dan Hay said:

Nice! Where did you get the BRM wheels? I have a 1:1 65 Beetle with BRMs I'd like to build a model of it. 

 

Hi Dan, nice 1:1 Beetle. I got the BRM's on ebay which come with the tyres. A German hobby store called ScaleProduction supplies them. They have some great stuff.

[PatW]

Mooneyes Superb! Love the Moon Discs.

[Olskoolrodder]

Beautiful Bus!