Kübelwagen/Schwimmwagen: A Visual History of the German Army's Multi-Purpose Vehicle (Visual History Series)

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Type 62: Prototype Kübelwagen, constructed from 15 May 1938; pre-production models (1939) field tested in the invasion of Poland Type 92/SS: (until April 1943): with interior attachments for fire-arms — from April 1943 deprecated, and known as Type 82/E [16] Kübelwagens were present in every single unit of the German Army and served on all fronts to the last day of the war and beyond. Thousands found their way on the civilian market, many were converted to other duties, and others ended in museums and made the delight of private owners around the world. Their long postwar life was helped by the solid fanbase of the VW Beetle which shared many parts with it. This vehicle was not armored, not armed by default, so it has no place in the regular encyclopedia. This first experience shown indeed the vehicle was satisfactory but needed some changes as requested by the military: The lowest speed had to be reduced from 8 km/h (5.0 mph) to 4 km/h (2.5 mph) (infantry pace). Off-road performances had to be improved by mounting new axles with gear-reduction hubs, providing more torque and more ground-clearance. Dampers were modified with larger 41 cm (16 in) wheels, and a limited slip differential. Type 198: Fitted with a PTO and auxiliary gearbox for starting the engines of armoured fighting vehicles [18]

Despite not having four-wheel drive, the Kübelwagen excelled off-road thanks to a limited slip differential and extremely low weight. Off-roading was made easier by the Kübelwagen’s flat underbelly. Unlike other four wheel drive vehicles, the Kübelwagen was rear-wheel drive, and could slide over snow or mud, instead of becoming bogged down. It had four gears plus reverse, and top speed was about 50 miles, or 80 kilometers per hour.Mass-production started in February 1940, literally at the opening of the VW factories (known as Wolfsburg after the war), while the bodywork was produced by Ambi Budd Presswerke in Berlin. The design ws such a success that no major changes was required until it ended in 1945. The few minor modifications were aimed at simplifying the design (unnecessary parts) or strengthening some. Long after the end of the war, VW resurrected the basic Kübelwagen design as the 1969 Type 181, developed for the German Federal Armed Forces and later also produced this model for the civilian market, which was known as "Thing" in the US, "Trekker" in the UK, and "Safari" in Mexico. Although similar in looks and design, almost no parts were interchangeable with the original Type 82. Hitachi Type 73 artillery tractor (1974) * Toyota Type 73 * Isuzu HST * Nissan Patrol * Mitsubishi Type 73 * * The challenge with the Kubel at the time was that, unlike the 356s, there was no restoration supply industry to turn to, for purchasing components. Each trim part had to be found from sources or made from scratch. The development process took over a year, one of the best years ever working with my father!

a b c d e Carroll, John (17 January 2019). "Industry and Style". Key Military. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022 . Retrieved 18 February 2022. Full-scale production of the Type 82 Kübelwagen started in February 1940, as soon as the VW factories had become operational. No major changes took place before production ended in 1945, only small modifications were implemented, mostly eliminating unnecessary parts and reinforcing others which had proved unequal to the task. Prototype versions were assembled with four-wheel-drive (Type 86) and different engines, but none offered a significant increase in performance or capability over the existing Type 82, so these designs went nowhere. As of March 1943, the car received a revised dash and the bigger 1,131cc engine, developed for the Schwimmwagen, that produced more torque and power than the original 985cc unit. When Volkswagen production ceased at the end of the war, 50,435 Kübelwagen vehicles had been produced, [8] and the vehicle had proven to be surprisingly useful, reliable, and durable. Like the World War II era Type 82 Kübelwagen, the Type 181 used mechanical parts and a rear-engine platform, manual transmission and a flat-4 engine derived from that of the Type 1. The transaxle and front suspension are reportedly original to the car as is the impressively solid floorpans. This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. ( April 2017) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Quite right; along with the Mk14 Torpedo, that was one of America’s major fails. But it was more about doctrine than technology or production (Evidence: they accepted the new light M24 w/o much fuss). Gen. Leslie McNair opposed an improved anti-tank gun for the Sherman, saying that was the job of Tank Destroyers. This was the Army’s initial response to Panzer victories of 1940, but it was obsolete by the time the US was involved; by then, the Germans were largely on the defensive. And in offensive war, who can say what sort of opponent a tank will encounter anyhow? The UK stumbled into a good compromise by D-Day: a mix of Fireflys & std. Shermans to cover all target types. Fireflys had poor HE ammunition & low rate of fire, but they could kill a Tiger I at combat ranges. Light weight. While it was some 41cm (16in) longer than the Willys MB, it weighed more than 300kg (660lb) less. The Kübelwagen, thanks to its geared hubs, could go as slow as marching troops 4km/h (2.5mph), yet reach a top speed of 80km/h (50mph). Intermeccanica of Canada has been producing a Kubelwagen replica since 1995. [9] [10] Technology and performance [ edit ] A Kübel seized by American paratroopers in Carentan during the Battle of Normandy, 1944

Even in the Sahara, Rommel’s troops were well served in their Type 82s equipped with 690×200 airplane tires. Air cooling had its obvious benefits wherever stray bullets fly. And the Kübelwagen’s flat smooth belly allowed it to slide over sand, snow or mud. Humber, meanwhile, wrote a lengthy report that same year on a ‘German Light Aid Detachment Vehicle’ seized in the Middle East. He wrote: ‘Shortly after capturing the VW, I made a trip down to Syracuse in Sicily. The only disturbing thing about the car was the speedometer, which, of course, read in kilometres. It was amusing to see my batman’s face when, on a good straight stretch, I pointed to the speedometer, which was indicating a shade over 100.

The more complicated Type 62 Prototypes had four-wheel-drive and different engines, but since performances or capability does not proved better than the Type 82 they never left the prospects stage. In March 1943 however, a bigger 1,131 cc engine was adopted, which was initially developed for the Schwimmwagen (the amphibious equivalent of the Kübelwagen), which produced more torque and power. After VW closed its doors for years following the defeat of the IIIrd Reich, it had delivered 50,435 Kübelwagen vehicles, which proven itself useful, reliable, and durable and were also recycled for some in the world-beating Beetle in postwar years.