Kubelwagen VW Typ 82, a DAK veteran.

[Bob Lyons]

LePkw Type 82 Kübelwagen. The Kubelwagen has a 240 centimetre wheelbase and independent suspension on all four wheels. The tyres are a post war NATO pattern. The engine is a post war Volkswagen Beetle engine mounted in the rear of the vehicle. The body of the vehicle is a lightweight metal, with a flat base, allowing the vehicle to propel itself like a sled in sand, mud and snow.

Headlights and canvas headlight covers are mounted on the front wheel guards and a tactical travelling 'notek' light is mounted on the front panel of the vehicle, to the left hand side of the spare tyre, which is mounted centrally on the front panel. Stencilled in white on the front of the left wheel guard is the tactical symbol for a motorised artillery unit of the 15th Panzer Division. Mounted on the front of the vehicle is the number plate which is rectangular in shape. The plate has a white painted background with 'WH-129213' stencilled in black paint. A small circular 'feldpostnummer' for the 15th Panzer Division has been stamped in red ink onto the numberplate. Fitted to either side of the bonnet and the engine bay at the rear, are hooks to attach towing cables.

More...


Hi all,

After a recent visit to the Australian War Memorial, I was able to get a few shots of the Kubelwagen on display there. Although they don't really have any history of it
displayed, the history is available via the AWM's website, and this one is a DAK veteran !

Cheers

Bob



Summary

This particular vehicle served with the German Afrika Korps and was brought to Australia from Bardia in Libya. The markings indicated that it was attached to a field artillery unit of the 15th Panzer Division. The vehicle was completely restored in 2009. During this process the vehicle was finished in markings typical of the 33rd Field Artillery unit of the 15th Panzer Division during the period of the Siege of Tobruk between April and December 1941.

The Kübelwagen became one of the most widely used German vehicles of the war, with 52,000 built by May 1945.

This vehicle was previously restored by No.2 Base Workshop, Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Moorebank, Sydney in the mid 1980's.

[Bob Lyons]

The Kubel is a nice early example, if the vehicle number is correct (WH - 129213 would make it a 1940 model. It has the correct rear vision mirror for an early model,
no car jack position under the doors, but the spade mount is mounted on the left, so maybe a 1941 model ?? It also has the later beads on the doors.

Here is a nice shot from the AWM's files showing the Kubel after its restoration....


Cheers

Bob

[Bob Lyons]

The BMW motorbike and the 2CM AA unit are a nice touch too....

Bob

[Anzel]

Bob,
Thanks for creating this thread! Perhaps, if I win the lottery I would purchase one of these! The closest I have been to owning one is the VW Thing I owned.
Anzel