Two more colourful & interesting Vee-dubs on the way from AK

AK Interactive gives us two more VW vans, both 1967/72 T2 models. We look at the new colour & decal choices, the real vans (& some historical background for the youngsters) in our preview...

Two more colourful & interesting Vee-dubs on the way from AK

T2 Model 1967

From AK Interactive

1/35th Scale

Sku: AK35023

Over 170 plastic parts

Detailed interior and engine.

All doors can be posed open.

Decals for 4 painting/marking options printed by Cartograf.

Posable doors, engine & interior included

The Subject: 1967 Volkswagen Type 2 - "T2"

The Volkswagen Type 2, originally introduced in 1950 by the German automaker Volkswagen, is a forward-control light commercial vehicle and the company’s second car model. Officially known as the Transporter, Kombi, or Microbus, depending on the body type, it is also informally referred to as the Volkswagen Station Wagon (US), Bus (US), Camper (UK), or Bulli (Germany). The Type 2 designation follows Volkswagen’s first model, the Type 1 (Beetle), from which it was initially derived.

The Kombi is officially called the Volkswagen Type 2 or Transporter. It is popularly known as the Kombi, which is short for Kombinationskraftwagen (German for a combined-use vehicle). It has several other names, including the Minibus, Microbus, the Bulli, the Bus, the Hippie van, and the Camper in different parts of the world. Both the Kombi and Transporter line-ups have the same origin, but in 1990, they began to lead separate yet parallel lives. The Kombi can be both a passenger and cargo vehicle, with removable rear seats for bigger cargo capacity. The Volkswagen Caravelle is strictly a people-mover, while the panel van is a dedicated cargo vehicle with no side windows.

We can't wait until someone makes the van from "Back to the Future" with this one!

This lovely red example sports similar roof racks like the  kit's example...

The Kit:

This kit is very much like AK Interactive's first T2 kit (1967), but this one has a new lease of life with new parts, plus four new coloured profiles showing us markings from German machines in the 70's.

The decal sheet, printed by Cartograf with the four options, including the instrument panels and numberplates... 

Hospital, firefighting, and police vehicles in the service of West Germany are all choices on offer here.

One of the VWs from the fire service depictred in this kit that we have an actual photo of...

T2 Model 1972 Commercial Van

From AK Interactive

1/35th Scale

Over 170 plastic parts

Detailed interior and engine.

All doors can be posed open.

Decals for 5 painting/marking options printed by Cartograf.

Posable doors, engine & interior included

Sku: AK35025

The Subject: 1972 Volkswagen Type 2 - T2

In late 1967, Volkswagen introduced the second generation of the Type 2 (T2), which was manufactured in West Germany until 1979. In Mexico, the Volkswagen Kombi and Panel were produced from 1970 to 1994. The early models are often referred to as the T2a (or “Early Bay”), while models produced after 1971 are known as the T2b (or “Late Bay”), and those after 1991 are called the T2c.

This second-generation Type 2 lost its distinctive split front windscreen and was 22.5 cm (9 in) longer and significantly heavier than its predecessor. Commonly nicknamed Breadloaf and Bay-window, or simply Loaf and Bay, the T2 featured a slightly larger 1.6 L engine producing 35 kW (48 PS; 47 bhp) DIN. The battery and electrical system were upgraded to 12 volts, making it incompatible with electric accessories from the previous generation. The new model also eliminated the swing axle rear suspension and transfer boxes previously used to raise ride height. Instead, it employed half-shaft axles with constant velocity joints to raise ride height without the extreme camber changes seen in the Beetle-based swing axle suspension. The updated Bus transaxle is highly sought after by off-road racers using air-cooled Volkswagen components

A view of a restored VW van's driver/passenger's position.

The Kit:

This kit of the VW van is the commercial version, with metal panelled sides instead of the windowed version. The kit is also the same as AK Interactive's earlier 1972 T2, but with some new parts, plus FIVE new marking choices included. All of them in civil service for some type of business or the other.

The decal sheet is again supplied by Cartograf, with five marking choices; these also include the dashboard and the numberplates, as well as the several businesses

The five choices are from a caried number of countries, reflecting the broad appeal of these vans around the world. Included workhorses from Spain, Germany, Malta, & even the Sinai Peninsula in the 1970s/80s, & even a rested version from 2017!

This spanish version seen int he same livery as the decal sheet in the kit.

This interesting photo shows a VW from this kit crossing the Sinai in the 1970's!

Still going!

These vans are available next month from the AK Interactive website.

You can see more about these products on the links supplied and more of them on the AK Interactive Website