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German

Mannsch. Kw. (Kfz. 70): Command Reconnaissance Car

Mannsch. Kw. (Kfz. 70): Command Reconnaissance Car

The German reconnaissance car, together with its eight modified versions, has the standard No. 2 chassis of the heavy armored car (s.Pkw.) with the engine mounted in the front end. This chassis is similar to the No. 1 chassis used for the 4-wheeled armored car (Sd. Kfz. 222) with the engine mounted in the rear. Equipment stowage brackets are provided throughout the car.

This vehicle is used for command reconnaissance. It has a seating capacity of eight, including driver and a trailer load capacity of 2,200 pounds.

A novel feature of the power train provides for four-wheel steering which can be effected by a hand lever from the driver’s seat. This enables the car to climb out of deep ruts or turn sharply about in any direction.

The highway radius of action of this vehicle is 186 miles on a fuel tank capacity of 30 gallons. Its combat weight is 9,240 pounds.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         6,930 lb.
Length 15 ft., 10 ins.
Width 6 ft., 6 ins.
Height 6 ft., 8 ins.
Ground clearance 9 ins.
Tread centers 64 ins.
Wheelbase 118 ins.
Width of track 8.5 ins.
Size tires 8.27 x 18
Fording depth 2 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 186 miles
     Cross-country 155 miles
Speed
     Roads 35 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 25 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate
     Sides
Armament
Ammunition (rds.)
Engine Horch V-8 90 hp.
Transmission 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse, high and low range
Steering Normal plus 4-wheel steering
Crew 8

German: p. 60

Categories
German

l. Pkw. K 1 (typ 82): Volkswagen “Jeep”

Kubelwagen - Volkswagen, German Jeep

The German Volkswagen (“people’s car”) was converted to military use at the outset of the war. It is a very economical and cleverly designed vehicle, although it is cheaply constructed. It weighs 1,600 pounds.

For a frame the Volkswagen has a central tube to which the components of the front and rear axles are attached to form the chassis. The floor, which is ribbed, helps reinforce the central tube. The body panels are light, being made up mostly of about 18-gauge black iron stampings. Tubular struts, designed in such a way as to serve as grab rails for the four occupants, are used for the basic structural members of the body. All wheels are independently sprung and torsion rods are used for all suspensions instead of the common semi-elliptic leaf spring. Shock absorbers are fitted to the front and rear. The steering gear and connections are of more or less conventional type. The brakes are mechanical, cable-operated.

The four-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the transmission (with four speeds forward and one reverse), and the positive-locking differential comprise a unified structure secured to the floor at its extreme rear end. At each side of the differential are universal joints providing centers about which the housings for the two rear driving-axles may articulate. The rear wheels are stabilized laterally from the differential housing. An overdrive in 4th gear gives a ratio of .80 to 1. Also, certain design features which we generally accept as necessary have been omitted from the engine. For instance, there are no counterbalances on the crank shaft, and no lubricating oil filter.

The Volkswagen has a maximum speed of 50 m.p.h.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         1,600 lbs.
Length 12 ft., 3 ins.
Width 5 ft., 3 ins.
Height 5 ft., 5 ins. (with top raised)
Ground clearance 11.5 ins.
Wheelbase 7 ft., 10½ ins.
Width of front track 53.4 ins.
Width of rear track 53.5 ins.
Fording depth 18 ins.
Theoretical radius of action
   Roads 250 miles
   Cross-country
Speed
   Roads 50 m.p.h.
   Cross-country
Normal fuel consumption 1 gal. per 29.5 miles
Engine 4-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled, 24.5 B.H.P. at 3,300 r.p.m.
Transmission 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Normal
Crew 4

German: p. 59

Categories
German

Trippel S.G. 6 Schwimkraftwagen: Amphibious 1/4-ton Truck, Model 1942

Trippel S.G. 6 Schwimkraftwagen: Amphibious 1/4-ton Truck, Model 1942

Development of this vehicle began prior to 1939 at the Trippelwerke Hamburg Saar. According to German press reports, in 1941 Mr. Hans Trippel, the inventor, made improvements over his earlier models as a result of experiments and his plant prepared to go into mass production. The above vehicle was manufactured in 1942. Field examination shows that the application of its design to combined land and water transportation is successful. Simplicity of design throughout makes it possible to produce the vehicle in large quantities very easily.

The body is arranged with a front engine compartment, a center crew compartment, and a rear stowage compartment. Water sealing is accomplished by means of rubber seals throughout. The only openings in the rear of the body are for the wheel and propeller drive and for the shafts of the shock absorbers. In the front of the body there are three openings on each side as follows: one for the shock absorber rod, the radius rod, and for the wheel drive.

Four-wheel drive with independent double coil spring suspension contributes to the cross-country mobility which is said to be remarkable. The shock absorbers are mounted inside the hull and connect with the suspension through an auxiliary shaft that is stuffing box sealed.

A special transmission is provided with three speeds forward and one reverse for highways plus three speeds forward and one reverse for cross-country and a forward and reverse gear for operation in the water. The three-bladed propeller is lowered to position when in the water and is protected inside the body work when on land. Steering is accomplished by front wheels. A one-shot lubrication system is operated from the dash.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight (net)        3,860 lb.
Cargo capacity (land) 2,400 lb.
Cargo capacity (water) 2,100 lb.
Length (overall) 190 ins.
Width (overall) 71 ins.
Height (overall—top of windshield) 74 ins.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread center to center 58 1/2 ins.
Tire (Continental, cross-country type) 6.00 x 18 ins.
Wheel base 98 ins.
Freeboard 12 ins.
Speed (highway) 44 m.p.h.
Speed (water) 6-10 m.p.h.
Radius of action (land) 130 miles
Radius of action (water) 46 miles
Fuel tank 15 1/2 gal.
Fuel consumption (land) 9.7 m.p.g.
Fuel consumption (water) 4.35 m.p.g.
Engine Double radiator, water-cooled, details unknown.
Brakes 4-wheel hydraulic
Crew 5
Ignition and Electrical System 12-volt Bosch

German: p. 58.2

Categories
German

Kfz. 2 S: Amphibious Volkswagen

Kfz. 2 S: Amphibious Volkswagen Schwimmwagen

The basic construction of this vehicle is identical with that of the standard type 82 Volkswagen. Front wheel drive has been added to the ingenious positive lock differential rear drive already employed and removes all objections to its poor cross-country performance.

The steering assembly and the front wheel suspension are placed outside a watertight bulkhead.

A rubber sealed stuffing box is used for the front wheel drive shaft. In the rear the suspension is mounted outside the watertight hull. The only openings are for each drive shaft. These are entirely hooded by two bellows type rubber boots that sheath the axle allowing movement in all directions.

Shock absorbers are provided for each wheel. In the front they are mounted outside the hull. In the rear, a watertight shaft extends through the hull from shock absorber to wheel.

Normal grease seals on the rear axle keep water from seeping into the differential and transmission assemblies.

The transmission, transfer case and the positive locking differential comprise a unit assembly secured to the floor at its extreme rear end. A power takeoff has been added to the normal transmission to provide front wheel drive. A cross-country gear position is also provided. It is an extra low gear necessitating the normal transmission be kept in neutral position when used.

The clutch is a dry single disc foot operated type. The propeller assembly is mounted on a spring-loaded hinge that is positioned in the rear directly in line with the hand crank pulley. It incorporates a slip clutch to eliminate damage to the propeller blades by underwater obstructions. Engagement direct with the engine is made through a dog clutch sealed by a rubber bushing on the engine side.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         2,040 lbs.
Loading capacity 960 lbs.
Length (overall–propeller down) 150 ins.
     (overall–propeller up) 140 ins.
Width (overall) 55 ins.
Height (overall to top of windshield) 57 ins.
     (overall less windshield) 38 ins.
Ground clearance 11.5 ins.
Tread centers 47 ins.
Wheelbase 78 ins.
Tire size 5.25 x16–one spare
Fuel tank 13 gallons, 70 octane
Fuel consumption (land) 20 m.p.g.
     (water) Unknown
Fording depth Unlimited
Speed (land) 46.5 m.p.h.
     (water) 7.5 m.p.h.
Engine 4 cyl. horizontally opposed, air-cooled
Horsepower 24.5 at 3,300 r.p.m.
Ignition Bosch, 6 volt coil
Battery 6 volt
Transmission 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Normal–front wheels

German: p. 58.1