  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Historic Vehicles story By Victor Ma T-L
1942 WWII Porsche 166 Schwimmwagen
prototype
Brake system: 4 wheel Drum
brake cable control mechanic type In the same time US build a GPA sea going jeep, Base on Ford GPW. This amphibious were near double weight as VW166, it was not a great vehicle for the job, also not easy climb out of river bank. unless use belt drive PTO capstan winch. Ford build 12785 GPA from 1942 until September 1943.
A final note, sadly Mr. Jarren passed away
in Feb 2008 at his home. He apparently really loved the car
and I will maintain it and enjoy it with him in mind. If you got any Kdf parts for War time VW60,VW82,VW82e,VW87,VW166, just email us. we will pay cash to buy them. Our email: wwiivehicle@yahoo.com
|
VW 82e VW 87 proved very successful during the campaign in
Poland, France and Africa, it was necessary to produce more
this kind of small all terrian cross-country vehicle for the
army. Hitler know Professor Ferdinand Porsche is a right
engineering to designed and build prototype. That
year,1942,had not been a good one for Hitlar, But his army had
held on outside Moscow during the previous winter and was
still making some headway against Russia. His army need a all
terrain small amphibious. The Type 128 base on a VW87(same as
82e but with front drive axle ) 4wd chassis with a 1131CC new
4 cylinder engine, (before use a 985CC ) made for test at land
and river, with a boat like body. Only 30 unit been made for
Test. Professor Porsche and his son Ferry Porsche thought that
the type 128 was too long for off road, Porsche start to
make a small schwimmwagen, that is the project #166. It was
400mm
short than Type 128, but also 4 wheel drive, the weight only
got no more than 900kg,Max weight GVW at 1345kg. A very good
tune cross-country vehicle with a crew of 4 soldiers and
carrier MG34 and some anti-tank cannon. 4 wheel independent
suspension with a new 1131cc air cool overhead-valve flat
four cylinder engine at back, power through a 5 speed gear
box. the boat like body make the car water proof and it was
driven through water by the propeller, which was swung down by
hand onto a dog clutch, connecting it to the engine's
crankshaft, the steering used the front wheels as rudders,
drive in water like drive on land. speed on land is 80km/h and
on water is 10-12km/h. A machine gun MG34 can mounted next to
the driver or at back. This 125 vehicle were designed and
produced by the Porsche engineers made by hand at Stuttgart.
This 166 chassis #0166/115
is one of the phototype build by Porsche at 1942 most for
Waffa SS divisions units to Moscow and few for the General.
Since the VW works engaged in manufacturing another 14276 unit
of VW166 between 1942-1944.( body made by another Ambi Budd Co
in Berlin).
By
the end of 1944 VW 166 had been finished in Wolfsburg, some
without rear propeller unit, because no more alloy parts, then
production had to be halted because of heavy bombing of the
factory. The building suffered heavy air raids between April
8th and May5th in 1944.A US. Strategic Bombing survey reported
20% of total floor area destroyed,13.5% heavily damaged, near
21% lightly damaged, and 20% of machine destroyed. In the
uneasy war situation, the considerable outlay of materials and
man power for the complicated vehicle was no possible. The
factory only making the simple 82 Kubelwagen until the spring
of 1945. for Euro and Russia to cross the river and rough
muddy area. Many Schwimmwagens were used by the German Army in
Africa with Rommel's Afrika Korps and in the Eastern front,
most service at SS divisions, as the Totenkopfs Third Panzer
Division, also the SS Panzer Division in Normandy, Some
service at Germany
army engineer units. The difference between Porsch prototype
and VW166, the round front tube bumper, the front wing angle,
rear tow hook and side step handle, some early TYP166 have
difference body for machine Gun MG34 etc. wheel & tire also
not the same size as VW166 .After the War, British Army want
to produce this 166, but it is not possible, because some off
road parts maker at Red Army control area. Today only 3~~~~4
Porsche TYP166 have survived in the world, Because most use by
SS officers and SS command late send to Russia already. At the
end of war, most TYP 166 destroyer by Russia army or captured
by Russia Army. The Red Army use them until end of 50s and use
their metal/alloy to build other modern machine at 60s. This
lucky TYP 166/115 keep in Euro after the War. Until 2001 we
bought this vehicle form a amphibious vehicle collector Mr.
Jarren at Germany. Today you can see few VW made VW166 at VW
museum,
auto
museum and some at WWII German Vehicle collectors hand. The
cost is up and up at past 10 year. If you like to know more
about the amphibious, or German jeep like VW82, VW82e and VW87
please go to our another amphibious website. (
Powered
by