TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1946 British Government Kubel/Type 11 Report...

Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:53 am

I'm sure most of us know the story about the British Rootes/Ford assessment of the 'captutred' '41 Kubel in 1943 and the VW Type 11 in 1946, but I was lucky enough to pick up an original copy of the report last week. I can't remember seeing another original copy before, but maybe I've just been walking around with my eyes closed.

Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:41 am

Wow.... very cool Rich. :o 8)

Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:44 am

i got a pdf file from the internet. i don't know if it's ok to post here the cover, but it's all about the kubelwagen. idon't even remember where from i downloaded it :oops: it has 52 pages with pics and description. in english.

i can send it to anyone needs it, but remember: it's not my book, i have not scanned it, and i'm not taking credit for another man's work. i think it's a nice thing to share, and i guess it would be a good thing for someone that finds it useful, to buy it. the authors need our support also. :!:

later edit:
i have uploaded it here :
http://www.2shared.com/file/3225396/203187c6/VW_at_War_-_Kuebelwagen_Schwimmwagen_Book_2.html

Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:02 pm

Neat find Rich!

Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:52 pm

Info from a captured schwimmwagen:

Copied from this page-
http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/schwimmwagen/index.html

[German Light Amphibious Car, Schwimmwagen]

The German light amphibious car, which resembles a small civilian sports car and has a boat-shaped open body, is highly maneuverable. The Germans call this vehicle a Schwimmwagen, literally enough, while on the Allied side it sometimes is spoken of as an amphibious Volkswagen. The light amphibious car represents a development of the original Volkswagen ("People’s Car"), a light civilian vehicle that Hitler once promised to manufacture in huge quantities and bragged about as one of the future blessings of German National Socialism.

The light amphibious car has the following dimensions:
Over-all length (with propulsion unit in
land-travel position) 11 ft. 8 in.
Over-all width 4 ft. 10 in.
Over-all height (with top up) 5 ft. 2 in.
Tread width, center line to center line 4 ft.
Wheel base 78 in.
Ground clearance (unloaded) 11.5 in.
Approx. depth of immersion when floating 2 ft. 6 in.
Freeboard (loaded) 13 in.
The following details have obtained from a manufacturer’s plate in the engine compartment of a car which was examined recently:
Type 166
Payload 958 lb.
Weight empty 2,002 lb.
Permissible axle load (front) 1,190 lb.
Permissible axle load (rear) 1,775 lb.
Permissible total weight 2,965 lb.
Engine capacity 1,131 cc.
This specimen was fitted with "run-flat" tires, size 7.85 by 16.

[The German Light Amphibious Car, Schwimmwagen]

[The German Light Amphibious Car, Schwimmwagen]
The German Light Amphibious Car

The engine is of the 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, horizontally-opposed, air-cooled type, similar to that of the ordinary Volkswagen, Model 82, and has a capacity of 1,131 cc. When the car is afloat, the crankshaft leading through the back of the vehicle effects the propulsion. The crankshaft ends in teeth which form a dog-clutch, which engages either with the propeller drive, when the latter is in position, or with the starter handle.

There are four forward gears, and one reverse, and also an auxiliary lever for a low gear for cross-country driving and for engaging or disengaging the 4-wheel drive. When the auxiliary lever is in the forward (cross-country) position, gear must not be changed, according to a warning notice on the instrument panel.

For starting under winter conditions, a specially volatile starting fuel is used. This is contained in a small auxiliary fuel tank with a capacity of about 1 liter, connected by a synthetic rubber tube to the fuel pump. This auxiliary tank is situated in the engine compartment, which is in the rear of the vehicle.

The cooling-fan intake is between the two rear seats. A transverse exhaust silencer is mounted over the engine compartment, and discharges on both sides. The body is of pressed steel with welded seams. The shaft entrances are made watertight by corrugated rubber tubing. An independent torsion-bar suspension is employed on each of the front wheels.

When the three-blade propeller unit is not in use, it folds over the back of the vehicle. This unit is provided with a chain drive to a sprocket, the shaft of which is provided with teeth which engage with those on the crankshaft end. In water, as on land, steering is effected by the conventional steering wheel, which governs the front wheels of the vehicle. When the car is traveling through water, the transmission is neutral, and the accelerator regulates the speed.

The instrument panel is fitted with a switch for speedometer lighting, a charging indicator (red), an oil indicator lamp (green), a plug for the inspection lamp, a speedometer, and a combined lamp-and-ignition switch. Beneath the instrument panel are a gasoline filter, the auxiliary fuel pump, and a lever for operating the pump for one-shot lubrication.

The foot controls comprise (from left to right) a dimmer switch, clutch, foot brake, and accelerator.

The hand controls are the gear lever, a lever for putting the 4-wheel drive and the cross-country gear — or both — into operation, a small lever for operating the choke, and the hand-brake.

Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:23 pm

RichOakley wrote: I'm sure most of us know the story about the British Rootes/Ford assessment of the 'captutred' '41 Kubel in 1943 and the VW Type 11 in 1946, but I was lucky enough to pick up an original copy of the report last week. I can't remember seeing another original copy before, but maybe I've just been walking around with my eyes closed.

Now that is VERY cool Great find

Fri May 02, 2008 3:20 am

RichOakley wrote: I can't remember seeing another original copy before, but maybe I've just been walking around with my eyes closed.

I know of at least one other....