Spiny Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 This one feels like it's been going on a long while but I've finally got it finished. Actually, it was only 5 months, but as I tend to do one build at a time that has been 5 months of a grey car where Revell have done a much better job than the real thing warrants. If you want to read the build thread, the link is below. The design of the kit is excellent, probably the best designed kit I've done so far (including Tamiya kits) with the only minor issues being a misplaced tab on one of the side trims and the washer bottle perhaps could have done with a more obvious placement. But that really is it for design issues. The moulding wasn't quite up there though with some flash and mould lines to clean up. And I'm not convinced that the instructions really give you the best order to built it in - certainly towards the end I pretty much ignored the sequencing as I couldn't see how it would work following Revell's instructions. The build itself isn't perfect, but I think it does give a pretty good indicator of where my level is at the moment. But, enough waffle. On with the pictures (sorry, but there are quite a few). First up, as the roof doesn't have to be cemented in place I left it loose so I can show the interior. The kit also comes with a very nice representation of the two-stroke engine, including the fuel tank mounted right on top of it! Here's a couple of shots of it with bonnet open and roof off: And finally, at the risk of being a bit repetitive here's a few shots from all angles of the car as it is displayed. Hope you like it. All constructive comments (good and bad!) are welcome. 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 That's a very nice job - I passed on one of these when Home Bargains had them in stock, regretting it a bit now! I think the grey suits the car perfectly, and you've applied it really well - probably better than the factory did on the real ones! And what a brilliant design idea putting the fuel tank on top of the engine....!! Keith PS any idea on what the big A is for on the rear window? I like the altered DDR sticker too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Sensational build. The colour really suits it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Excellent build Spiny, well done! Really really nice. You've made a gem out of a Trabant, that's not easy 🙂 6 hours ago, keefr22 said: PS any idea on what the big A is for on the rear window? I like the altered DDR sticker too! Could it be a sign for an "I'm still learning how to drive" driver? Don't they have the same in France? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 2 hours ago, JeroenS said: Could it be a sign for an "I'm still learning how to drive" driver? Don't they have the same in France? Maybe, but I've no idea tbh Jeroen, some people in the UK have a small green 'P' sticker on the car to show they've just passed their driving test, but it's a lot smaller than that A...!! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 It must be so big for a reason... An inexperienced driver in a Trabant means double trouble 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Thanks everyone, glad you like it. As for the big A, I did look that up as it's an optional decal according to the instructions and I wanted to know what it was for. The result of that searching? Nothing, apart from one still from a film in 1969 where a trabant estate had an A on a sheet of A4 in the back window. However... since this car comes with lots of options for number plates ("Trabant", 2xEast German, one each of reunified German, Austrian, Czech, Polish and Hungarian) I did a bit of checking to make sure I did have an East German plate with the crossed out DDR plate. And the other East German plate starts with a "Q" - Q-plates were reserved for foreigners (Auslander in German) so my best guess is that the A is for a foreign-owned Trabi. Unfortunately, I didn't think of that until after I'd fitted the A so let's hope I'm wrong! If I'm right, I'd guess the A is so big so that the Stasi couldn't miss it. And as a reward for following that, here's an advert for the saloon (aka 'limousine') version - possibly the only time you'll hear a Trabant described as "schnell"! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeroenS Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Good cornering on the Trabi too! It really sticks to the road like a ... snail... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbostream Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Excellent, think I will buy and build one myself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Posted January 30, 2019 Author Share Posted January 30, 2019 That's what I like to hear Looking over those photos, I've just noticed that the bonnet hinge has come loose from the bonnet So in the spirit of rapid roadside repair, I've pushed it back in and given it a dose of Tamiya Extra Thin Cement in the middle of this post... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGA Posted February 6, 2019 Share Posted February 6, 2019 Spiny I really love this little machine. Beautiful job! Might have to get me one of these..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skodadriver Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Great model I remember having a Trabant tour in Berlin a few years ago although it was in the standard car not the estate version. It was highly entertaining mainly due to the driver who was a real Trabant enthusiast and incredibly knowledgable about the weirder side of Berlin's history. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbdesignart Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 On 1/27/2019 at 11:41 PM, keefr22 said: Keith PS any idea on what the big A is for on the rear window? I like the altered DDR sticker too! Could A = Avoid. Were Homebargains selling off real ones?🤣 Nicely built kit, Spiny.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 The big A in the rear window is handmade from a A4 paper sheet. That means A = Anfänger (beginner) There were no official stickers for that during this time, so many people do that by self. The altered sticker DDR is only for a time after the wall came down, after the 9th of November 1989. The number plate IB is for Berlin (East) modelldoc 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 On 08/02/2019 at 21:05, modelldoc said: The big A in the rear window is handmade from a A4 paper sheet. That means A = Anfänger (beginner) There were no official stickers for that during this time, so many people do that by self. The altered sticker DDR is only for a time after the wall came down, after the 9th of November 1989. The number plate IB is for Berlin (East) modelldoc Thank you for clearing up the mystery As you say, the altered DDR sticker was only valid for a while after reunification - until 1993 if memory serves. My excuse for using it is that this is one of those cars bought by us decadent westerners after the wall fell, and then kept in a collection but off the road since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 No, the story can be easier. Before the wall came down, it was not easy to got a driving license. You must wait, sometimes some years. Later is was easier and so many people started her drivers career. Some put the sign "A" in the rear window. In 1990 - 1991 a Trabant was very cheap, because all people want to drive a Volkswagen, Opel or Ford... So it can be a beginner, he bought this Trabant as a bargain and used it until end of 1993. This was the end of the old East German numberplate. modelldoc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 I have found your model Very nice indeed, i do like the grey colour! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peekay Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 Excellent job on this. Seems to be a quality kit and your finish and detailing is bang on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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