Takom 1/35 VW T3 Transporter, previewed by John Miller

The Volkswagen Type 2 (T3) was the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was larger, heavier, and more brick-like in its styling than its predecessor the T2. The T3 was marketed under multiple nameplates worldwide – including Transporter, Caravelle in Europe, Microbus in South Africa, and Vanagon in North and South America.

The T3 was manufactured in Germany from 1979 until 1990. Production of the 2WD version (mostly for official use, like postal service or German Army) continued until 1992 at Puch in Graz, Austria, where all 4WDs had been built. South African production of the T3 continued until 2002. The T3 was the final generation of rear-engine Volkswagens.

Initial T3’s were air-cooled but later models adopted water-cooled engines. Versions produced in South Africa from 1990 until 2002 featured an Audi five-cylinder engine.

The T3 Double-Cab Truck version was widely used by many military organizations in Europe and the Middle East as evidenced by the types use by the German Bundeswehr and Lebanese Armies. Takom provides decals for both machines.

(Edited from Wikipedia)

THE KIT

The kit is composed of three gray styrene sprues (individually bagged), a separate main cab, one large sprue of clear parts, and one small decal sheet.

A noticeable omission from the box art, scheme diagrams, and instructions is the word “Volkswagen.” I suspect this is in response to a licensing issue. Not surprisingly, the characteristic “VW” logo is missing from the model as well. In its place is a circular logo that is strikingly similar to a VW logo; so similar that the addition of a few small “sticks” (provided in the kit) will replicate the logo perfectly.

The molding is very well done with practically no flash. The inscribing is sufficiently deep, crisp, and scale appropriate. The surface details are nicely rendered and will really pop under paint and weathering. The individual rubber tires have nicely detailed treads and no mold seems to contend with. Likewise the detailed wheel hubs have crisply-molded lightning holes.

The main cab piece is well molded with the same scale-appropriate inscribing and surface detailing seen on all the parts. Of note, the cab piece is rather large and didn’t quite fit the depth of the box in my example. This caused the main cab to be warped: a small issue that could cause a big problem during assembly. Luckily this is easily remedied with a little warm water and re-shaping by hand.

The interior features a detailed drivers seat, a dual front passenger seat, and a rear, full-width seat. Additional cabin details include a nicely detailed dash, steering wheel, pedals, gearshift, and emergency break handle. The interior door panels are nicely detailed and will look very convincing under paint. Good thing as both front doors can be posed open to show off your work.

The many clear parts like the windshield and windows have good clarity but are bit on the thick side. Note that the clear sprue is common to multiple versions of the T3 produced by Takom so there are clear parts not used with this Double-Cab, Transporter Truck version.

The decals, printed by Takom, are crisp with good color density. Markings are provided for three Transporter trucks as follows:

1) Lebanese Army, 12^th Mechanized Brigade, 2011.

2) Civilian Version

3) Bundeswehr, German Army, Germany

CONCLUSIONS

This is a really nice kit! The moldings are crisp and the inscribing and surface details are very well done. If the military schemes don’t interest you, the possible civilian schemes are limited only by your imagination. Highly Recommended!

For more pictures of the Takom 1/35 Transporter Double-Cab Truck, visit ModelPaintSol.com.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

KIT #:	2014
PRICE:	$
DECALS:	Three options
REVIEWER:	John Miller
NOTES: