Model by Franco Fusco, Crew by Peter Dennis
Designed by Dr. Ing. Ferdinand Porsche, the Kübelwagen derived from the very famous Beetle (Käfer – cockroach), the car wanted by Hitler in 1934 to make it possible for even the less wealthy social classes to buy a car (costing no more than 1000 Reichsmark), it is the cheapest Porsche you can ever imagine.
Economical and robust car with only 23 HP and a 998 cc engine (from 1943 25 HP and 1100 cc engine) rear wheel drive and 16 inch wheels could go almost anywhere. In comparison the Jeep was a 4x4 with a 2200 cc and 60 HP engine. A very successful little car and a simple and highly effective engineering creation.
Although the Kübelwagen typ 82 production ran from February 1940 till the end of the war without major changes, several minor ones were constantly introduced. The model includes details and changes that were introduced up to 1943 (choosing those best suited for a paper model). The result might not be 100% historically accurate but could reasonably be used in whatever scenario without looking out of place and time.
The BMW R75 was designed in 1938 in response to a German Army request. It was powered by a 750 cc engine, the sidecar wheel was shaft driven too and equipped with a locking differential and a shift with road, off-road and reverse gears, had great off-road performances and could carry three fully equipped soldiers.
Despite its excellent qualities, a motorcycle with a sidecar cost almost as much as a Kübelwagen which had greater load capacity.
The models can be built without markings, anyway optional parts will allow you to customize your models. Closed canvas roof, MG42 on AA stand, license plates and full parts with tactical symbols for Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe and SS units in or nearby the Caen sector in June 1944 are provided for both the car and the bike:
- 716th Infantry Division
- 21st Panzer Division
- 12th SS Panzer Division
- Panzer Lehr Division
- 3rd Fallschirmjäger-Division
- 16th Luftwaffe Feld Division
For the Kübelwagen Peter Dennis has designed three sets of crew:
- Paratroopers
- Panzergrenadiers
- Occupations troops (Infantry static divisions)
The Bundle will allow you to have on your table the Kübelwagen and its crew in 28mm scale. The BMW R75 can be assembled as a “solo” model or as a combination with the sidecar.
The bundle consists of 2 sheets for each Kübelwagen model, 1 sheet for the crew, 1 sheet with the BMW R75 and 7 sheets for the instructions. To build the Kübelwagen you will need to print 3 single face A4 sheets.
Once downloaded, the sheets can be printed as often as you like, which means you can build any number of Kübelwagens and BMWs very cheaply.
You will need scissors, a craft knife, glue, 120 g/sm (recommended weight) paper for the model and 100 g/sm (recommended weight) paper for the crew and the BMW, all of which are described in the included how-to section.
The sheets are laid down in A4 format.
Print your sheets at “fit to page” setting (Adobe Acrobat) onto A4 paper and US legal sized paper, on US letter size will print at 93%.
You can, of course, print the Kübelwagen and the BMW in any scale you choose, making it extremely flexible in this respect.
Our Motto is Paper Armies, Proper Armies!
Enjoy