Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 - TS1 Painted 180718

[Tracks]

Thanks ultravanillasmurf. I was so excited at the prospect of getting these I missed that bit of detail.

I just hope we don't have to wait until 2019 or later to see the Kubelwagen released. Sooner the better.

[EarlyWarGamer]

Lovely model, and it fits right into my preferred "Early War" timeframe!

Kubelwagens didn't really enter service until after the Fall of France.  A better early war vehicle would be the various light passenger cars (Kfz 4).  Which were often fitted with a prominent machine gun mount.

The Kubelwagon Type 62 was in limited production prior to the invasion of Poland, and saw service there. This "real-world" experience uncovered some issues not found during normal trials.  These issues were addressed quickly, leading to the Type 82, which entered production in February 1940. There were plenty of Kubelwagon 82s serving in France.

So yes, a bit of a stretch using a Type 82 model (which looked similar but not identical) as a stand-in for the earlier Type 62 when gaming Poland 1939, but otherwise, it should be 100% good to use for the rest of the war, in any theater.

[Pinky]

I had assumed that the Type 82 was in widespread service by the invasion of France, but this appears not to have been the case.  Very few had been produced by May 1940 (production only started in March or February).  A couple of sources say that many had been distributed in time for the invasion of France, but it took months to introduce a vehicle into service (especially in the Third Reich), and this doesn't seem to be correct.  It therefore appears that only a handful at most actually saw action in France.  If they did, I can't find any photos of them; the earliest photos I can find are of vehicles in North Africa.  I wonder if anyone else has any hard info on this?

That said, I wouldn't be at all bothered about including the Type 82 in a Fall of France army.  I only raised this because you're quite particular about this issue. 

[Rubicon Models]

When the standard Kübelwagen is done in plastic, we will be releasing a resin upgrade to transform it into a Radio Car...





Enjoy!

[EarlyWarGamer]

That said, I wouldn't be at all bothered about including the Type 82 in a Fall of France army.  I only raised this because you're quite particular about this issue.

I am a very chill gamer. My own collection of minis is built to support "Early War" as I find that more interesting personally. I would play any theater, any timeframe, and happily so.

I would prefer NOT to see Tigers and Panthers taking on 7TPs in Poland in 1939.  But while the vast majority of German panzers in Poland were PZ Is and PZ IIs, it is still historically fine to have some Pz IIIs and Pz IVs there as well (early models with the weaker guns of course).

So... I believe some Kubelwagon Type 82s served in France 1940.  They may not have been widespread, but as a representative of a transport vehicle, I have no qualms fielding one in a game.  I have read that the Stug III A was in production starting in January 1940, and a few ZUGs were completed and rushed to France in the last week or two. Not sure that is completely true, and have found no confirmation they even saw combat, but the production dates are such that if somebody wanted to field a Stug III A in France 1940 I have no issues with that.

[tyroflyer]

I don't know the truth of when Kubelwagens were first deployed, however I agree with your basic philosophy EWG. I don't think their use in small numbers in the real world precludes them from the wargame table. Although I personally wouldn't use them in a setting that was too early for them. My reference confirms Stug Ausf A were operational with Sturmartillerie Batteries 640, 659, 660 & 665 during the French campaign.

[Rubicon Models]

More work is done! Now with a driver, textured seats, tarpaulin and windshield cover. Also added details for the Radio Car.







Enjoy!

[ultravanillasmurf]

Looking good.

[Rubicon Models]

Had not had an update since March... but here it is - four months queue in mould making!

A simple single plastic sprue that packed a lot of features and details in this little German car.
Optional expansion blister packs are planned as well:
- radio car
- stowage & canvas top (tarpaulin)
- new driver & passengers

[/URL]

Enjoy!

[ripley]

Very nice

[EarlyWarGamer]

Looks to be a fun little kit!

[Tracks]

Volkswagen Kübelwagen Type 82 - TS1 Sprue 180717 looks great!

I can't wait to buy a couple of these to replace the resin ones that I have.

Would it be asking to much to see an early release? It would be great to see the Kübelwagen kit and the Sdkfz 222/221 kit released at the same time! Both kits would compliment each other nicely.

[ultravanillasmurf]

Looks nice, well done in getting it on one sprue.

What period kit are the crew wearing?

[EarlyWarGamer]

I cannot quite tell if the top pockets on that tunic are with (or without) pleats. But the flap is scalloped. So that is either a 1941 tunic (if there are pleats present), or a 1942 tunic (if the pleats are not present). Existing troops were not issued new tunics until their old ones wore out, so at a minimum, figure that driver is good from 1939 throughout 1941, and very likely into 1942 as well (even if there are no pleats).

The figure on the sprue looks to be wearing Jackboots, which were replaced with Ankle boots starting in 1941 (as the old boots wore out). Which again simply means there should be no issues (critics) complaining about that driver throughout 1941 and into 1942.

Of course, we get to see images at 5-10 times their normal size on computer monitors. I doubt anyone can make out the scalloped edges of pocket flaps (with or without pleats) at tabletop distances. And nobody is going to see the drivers boots!

[Rubicon Models]

Painted samples of the Kübelwagen and with her optional communication equipment "Radio Car" upgrade...















Enjoy!