German Kfz. 1 Troop Transport (l.gl.Pkw.)

Wehrmacht Kfz. 1 VW Kübelwagen K1 Type 82.

Kfz. 1 (l.gl.Pkw) was the standard designation of a light (l.) cross-country (gl.) passenger car (Pkw) used primarily as a small transport for command, staff, reconnaissance, and communications personnel of all branches of service. Several commercially available and purpose-built vehicles fit the designation, but the two most popular of them are the Volkswagen, later known as the VW Käfer (Bug), and its military variant known as Kübelwagen. The vehicle shown here is a Kübelwagen in three-colour camouflage pattern on display at the Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim, Germany.

Available Scale Model Kits

  • VW K1 Type 82 (Kübelwagen)
    • VW Kübelwagen, 1:35 Tamiya 35006
    • VW Kübelwagen DAK, 1:35 Dragon 9042D
    • VW Kübelwagen, 1:48 Tamiya 32501
    • VW Kübelwagen, 1:48 SDV Model 48-002
    • VW Kübelwagen DAK, 1:48 Tamiya 32503
    • VW Kübelwagen, 1:72 Hasegawa MT12
    • VW Kübelwagen, 1:76 Airfix 02312
    • VW Kübelwagen, 1:76 Fujimi 76020
    • VW Kübelwagen, 1:87 Roco 235
    • Kubelwagen (× 3 Resin), 15 mm Battlefront Miniatures GE409
    • VW Kübelwagen (× 4), 1:285 GHQ G40
    • VW Kübelwagen (× 2), 1:300 Heroics & Ros G089
  • Volkswagen Type 82E (Sedan based on Type 82 chassis)
    • VW Type 82E, 1:35 Italeri 6426
    • VW Type 82E, 1:35 CMK T35104
    • VW Type 82E, 1:48 Tamiya 32531
    • VW Type 60, 1:72 Military Wheels 7201
    • VW Type 87, 1:72 Military Wheels 7202
    • KdF Volkswagen, 1:76 Cromwell Models G9
  • Ringhoffer-Tatra 1.3/57K (Kübelsitzer)

The Kübelwagen is available from several manufacturers. Often the Kübel is sold in a boxed set with the BMW R75 Motorcycle combination.

Technical Specifications

  • VW K1 Type 82 (Kübelwagen)
  • Designation: Leichter geländegängiger Personenkraftwagen, 4×2
  • Engine: VW Type 1, 4-cylinder, H-I-A-R, 985 cc, 17.9 kw @ 3000 rpm
  • Maximum Speed: 80 km/h
  • Transmission: 4 Forward 1 Reverse, limited-slip differential.
  • Brakes: mechanical
  • Tires: 5.25-16
  • Wheelbase: 2400 mm
  • Length: 3740 mm
  • Width: 1600 mm
  • Height: 1650 mm
  • Weight: 685 kg
  • Production: 1939–1945 (52000 units)
  • Historical Employment:
    • German Army, 1939 – May 1945
    • Romanian Army
  • Volkswagen Type 82E (Sedan)
  • Engine: 4-cylinder, 18.7 kw
  • Length: 4200 mm
  • Width: 1550 mm
  • Height: 1650 mm
  • Historical Employment:
    • German Army, 1939 – May 1945
  • Tatra T-57K (Kübelsitzer)
  • Engine: 4-cylinder, 17.2 kw
  • Wheelbase: 2550 mm
  • Length: 3980 mm
  • Width: 1550 mm
  • Height: 1690 mm
  • Weight: 970 kg
  • Production: 1940–1943
  • Historical Employment:
    • German Army 1940–1945
    • Czech Army
  • Skoda Popular 1100 (Kübelwagen)
  • Engine: 4-cylinder, 23.9 kw
  • Tires: 5.25-18
  • Wheelbase: 2485 mm
  • Length: 4000 mm
  • Width: 1500 mm
  • Height: 1560 mm
  • Weight: 950 kg
  • Production: 1939–1941
  • Historical Employment:
    • German Army 1939–1945

Bibliography

  • Mayer-Stein, Hans-Georg: Volkswagen Militärfahrzeuge 1938–1948.
  • Piekalkiewicz, Janusz: The Volkswagen Kubelwagen Type 82 in World War II
  • Sawodny, Michael: VW At War: Kubelwagen, Schwimmwagen & Special Vehicles
  • Taylor, Blaine: Volkswagen Military Vehicles of the Third Reich: An Illustrated History

Museum Exhibits

Wehrmacht Kfz. 1 VW Kübelwagen K1 Type 82

VW 82 Kübelwagen, Luftwaffenblaugrau, Technik-Museum Sinsheim, Germany

Wehrmacht Kfz. 1 VW Kübelwagen K1 Type 82

VW 82E Sedan, Panzergrau, Technik-Museum Sinsheim, Germany

Wehrmacht Kfz. 1 VW Kübelwagen K1 Type 82

VW 82E Sedan, Sand, Technik-Museum Sinsheim, Germany

German Miniatures of World-War Two