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Fun 181 Zu Geil!
Joined: October 20, 2006 Posts: 1003 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:30 pm Post subject: Military headlight blackout covers? |
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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 _________________
Ian Epperson wrote: |
Holy poop, that's full of awesome! |
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GSD_Master Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2007 Posts: 138 Location: Arkansas
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know where to get them |
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SteveB Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2005 Posts: 36 Location: Orange County, Ca
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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FreakCitySF Samba Member
Joined: June 08, 2004 Posts: 642 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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Curious,
are these used so as not to reflect any light? |
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Fun 181 Zu Geil!
Joined: October 20, 2006 Posts: 1003 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:25 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________
Ian Epperson wrote: |
Holy poop, that's full of awesome! |
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bucko Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2004 Posts: 2617 Location: Coppell, Texas
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia
Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181 |
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Ian Epperson Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2005 Posts: 2262 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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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 (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. |
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Ferretkona Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2005 Posts: 1306 Location: Columbia, CA
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Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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Doc*181 Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2003 Posts: 479 Location: Belgium
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 1:22 am Post subject: |
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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...
reflection of headlights could be a risk in war. Not that i would take a 181 to war... |
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Fun 181 Zu Geil!
Joined: October 20, 2006 Posts: 1003 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 6:37 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the details guys! I'll check out Ralfs site asap. _________________
Ian Epperson wrote: |
Holy poop, that's full of awesome! |
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Tank83 Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Germany - near Heilbronn
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 10:15 am Post subject: |
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half ot, bus maybe you like to see my bus, 89 original german bundeswehr:
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Doc*181 Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2003 Posts: 479 Location: Belgium
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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@tank83...
I've never seen those before.
Those covers would look nice on my '83 Belgian Airforce Ambulance. |
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Woreign Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2006 Posts: 2841 Location: Crestview FL
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Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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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! |
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pjmacua Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2003 Posts: 199 Location: Cantal, France
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bucko Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2004 Posts: 2617 Location: Coppell, Texas
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia
Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181 |
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Doc*181 Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2003 Posts: 479 Location: Belgium
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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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.....
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try to get an aircooled one. |
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90runner Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2006 Posts: 118 Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:48 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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ferry Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2004 Posts: 245 Location: the netherlands
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Military headlight blackout covers? |
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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 _________________ Former bmx shop wob61,combat veteran iraq
After several aircooled ,now a 1986 t3 syncro westfalia |
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kubelmann Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2003 Posts: 3266
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