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Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:30 pm

The previous owner installed new front fenders on my 74. He said that he ordered them from Germany and they were military issue with small metal loops near the headlights for blackout covers.

I found this image on The Samba of what the covers look like...

I was hoping that the covers would have narrow horizontal slits in them. Does anyone know where I might be able to find these (or any other style) blackout covers, or have any better photos of them?

Thanks,
Slim

Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:18 pm

I don't know where to get them

Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:52 pm

Convertible Specialties could make them if you gave her a paper pattern.
They are located in Signal Hill, Ca and advertise in the Samba classifieds.

Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:54 pm

Curious,

are these used so as not to reflect any light?

Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:25 am

Yeah, these look more like protective covers rather than the old blackout lights (with the horizontal slits) that I have seen from the past. Either way it would be cool to get a hold of some.

Having them custom made from a pattern sounds like it might get a bit pricey especially with the metal piece that goes over the loops. I'll try and check it out. Thanks.

Fri Mar 23, 2007 5:38 pm

Get in touch with Ralph in Germany. He has them.

http://www.ralfs-vw-teile.de/english/trading-parts/index.htm

The Type 181 used these covers along with side mirror covers and a full windshiel cover to "block" radar. Glass is a great attracter for radar. The covers would help block this.

There were no covers for the military "blackout lights" as these were nothing more than the HELLA reverse light that was used on early VWs with a special metal cover mounted on them that had a slit to allow a small amount of light. In the rear, there are 3 round red lights that also went with the military blackout light option. There was a special switch on the dash that when operated in one direction, turned on these lights. When a small round button was pressed in the middle of this toggle arm style switch, it allowed a square tab to move to the right, and therefore the switch would operate the "normal" headlights/taillights.

Awhile back, I posted pics of my military 181 with full radio gear, but I noticed the pics are gone from the gallery section. Maybe when this site went to a new server, they got lost.

Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:28 pm

bucko wrote: The Type 181 used these covers along with side mirror covers and a full windshiel cover to "block" radar. Glass is a great attracter for radar. The covers would help block this.

Not buyin that Bucko :D (I've actually been waiting a long time to say that ;)) Glass is not only transparent to light, it's is also transparent to radar. Once upon a time, I did Electronic Warfare for the Navy and I learnt a lot about how radio waves move and propogate. Glass and fiberglass are really really tough to track with radar. Many raydomes are made out of fiberglass to make them tough and radar transparent.

I hadn't considered it before, but the Thing's body shape would reflect a hell of a lot of radar - each of the ribs helps it along and the inner 90 degree angles are great reflectors. Definately not stealth.

Far more important to the Army at night during WW2 would have been light reflections. Glass reflects moonlight all too well. Curved glass gives a nice gleam visible from many angles. I can see how someone trying to hide at night would want to cover as much glass as possible.

Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:52 pm

Like the "new" licence plates with the reflective paint. I like to play with my laser at night. Hit a car windshield or paint and you barely can see the dot. Hit a new licence plate and it looks like a road flare even from hundreds of yards. The states knew what and why they were changing the paint, no way to detect a laser speed detecter.

Sat Mar 24, 2007 1:22 am

Ian Epperson wrote:

Far more important to the Army at night during WW2 would have been light reflections. Glass reflects moonlight all too well. Curved glass gives a nice gleam visible from many angles. I can see how someone trying to hide at night would want to cover as much glass as possible.

That I 'll buy... :D

reflection of headlights could be a risk in war. Not that i would take a 181 to war... :lol:

Sat Mar 24, 2007 6:37 am

Thanks for the details guys! I'll check out Ralfs site asap.

Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:15 am

half ot, bus maybe you like to see my bus, 89 original german bundeswehr:

Sat Mar 24, 2007 1:27 pm

@tank83...

I've never seen those before.
Those covers would look nice on my '83 Belgian Airforce Ambulance.

Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:33 pm

Bucko,

Your photos were lost when the server crashed a few month ago. The server was reset to late January (the last successful backup). You need to post them again!

Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:46 am

Hello

The pics of Bucko's military 181 with full radio gear are also here :

http://www.181spirit.com/portail_phpBB/index.php?page=3&smartor_mode=album_cat&cat_id=4

Regards
Pierre-J MACUA

Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:33 pm

PJ-181 wrote: @tank83...

I've never seen those before.
Those covers would look nice on my '83 Belgian Airforce Ambulance.

I've just Got to get one of those military Vanagons.....

I was told by military personel that all glass on military vehicles had to be covered when parked. They said due to radar. I just figured glass had something to do with being more visable to do with it.

Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:16 pm

bucko wrote: PJ-181 wrote: @tank83...

I've never seen those before.
Those covers would look nice on my '83 Belgian Airforce Ambulance.

I've just Got to get one of those military Vanagons.....

try to get an aircooled one. :)

Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:48 am

I'm in the military and the covers are just to stop reflections when caming up the vehicle. We used very similar ones for the iltis. I've got very similar material to what those covers are made of but do not have the buckles. If your interested give me a shout.

Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:40 am

thats the correct purpose for these covers , same reason why aircontrol towers have there windows in an angle .I was in the dutch army for years and we also worked with these pieces.
during the cold war ,when in a tactical holding aera the driver had “ i believe 8 min ,to perform THE static drill : for the driver this means covering all glass and even the turnsignals with these pieces and cover or remove the registration plates . unit markings or signs needed to be duck taped Then “jute “was placed ( no idea in englisch sorry ) these long , blankets , where pre placed around the entire vehicle , from center car to contact ground . idea was that all heat from engine and axles or brakes was blocked from seeing with thermal goggles . Then multiple camouflage nets where dropped over the entire vehicle , these nets where supported with poles to change the overall shape avoid a easy vehicle recognision by enemy scouts.
last tric for the driver : follow the tracks from your car and whipe them out for enemy airplanes. and why am i writhing this all down ? m

Sun Nov 26, 2017 7:55 am

Here is a new pair for $250
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2025600