Wapsi Square Forum

Indeed, the Typ 181 (1968-83), initially built for NATO use before being imported to the States as the "Thing" (1973-74), was inspired by the Typ 82 Kübelwagen.

Ferry Porsche adapted the pre-war KdF Wagen (the car that would become the Typ 1 "Beetle") into the Typ 62 military wagen by replacing the body with a rather primitive one and replacing the 15" tires with 19"s to improve ground clearance. The primary drawback of the Typ 62 was its inability to crawl at 2.5mph (the speed of walking troops). The Typ 82 Kübelwagen was a complete redesign.

Four-wheel drive variants include the Typ 87 Kommandeurwagen, which featured a KdF body, and the Typ 166 Schwimmwagen, which holds the distinction of being the most numerous mass-produced amphibious car in history.

AmriloJim wrote:Four-wheel drive variants include the Typ 87 Kommandeurwagen, which featured a KdF body, and the Typ 166 Schwimmwagen, which holds the distinction of being the most numerous mass-produced amphibious car in history.

What about the DUKW? IIRC it was mass-produced for WW II and was instrumental in, among other things, marine amphibious landings in the pacific front and absolutely essential in D-Day ferrying supplies from the big boats off shore to the front lines and back with wounded.

Something over 20k were produced, if memory serves me.

Your memory serves you well.

Typ 82 : 50,435 (1940–45)
DUKW : 21,147 (1942-45)

AmriloJim wrote:Your memory serves you well.

Typ 82 : 50,435 (1940–45)
DUKW : 21,147 (1942-45)

Wow, I wasn't aware there were that many 82's produced. Sudden mental image of an alternate reality where they were used to storm the white cliffs of Dover...

Noticed an error in my source page... the DUKW did indeed have more units than the Typ 166 Schwimmwagen, and I erroneously pulled the numbers for the Kübel rather than the 166.

The correct comparison:
Willys-Overland MB : 359,489 (1941-45)
Ford GPW : 277,896 (1941-45)
Typ 82 Kübelwagen : 50,435 (1940–45)
GMC DUKW : 21,147 (1942-45)
Typ 166 Schwimmwagen : 14,265 (1942–44)

The DUKW and the 166 are radically different vehicles. The US had a troop transport, while the Jerrys had a scout car.
The DUKW could transport 12 troops, 31 ft (9.45 m) in length, powered by a 269 cid (4,408cc) 6-cylinder engine.
The Schwimmwagen was a 4-seater, 382.5 cm (150.6 in) in length with an 1,131cc (69 cid) aircooled 4-cylinder boxer engine. Paddles were standard equipment.

ShneekeyTheLost wrote:

AmriloJim wrote:Your memory serves you well.

Typ 82 : 50,435 (1940–45)
DUKW : 21,147 (1942-45)

Wow, I wasn't aware there were that many 82's produced. Sudden mental image of an alternate reality where they were used to storm the white cliffs of Dover...

They wouldn't survive the ditch, even in mild weather.

I <3 Ducks.

Sgt. Howard wrote:

ShneekeyTheLost wrote:

AmriloJim wrote:Your memory serves you well.

Typ 82 : 50,435 (1940–45)
DUKW : 21,147 (1942-45)

Wow, I wasn't aware there were that many 82's produced. Sudden mental image of an alternate reality where they were used to storm the white cliffs of Dover...

They wouldn't survive the ditch, even in mild weather.

...and then there's that little matter of the cliffs...

AmriloJim wrote:The DUKW and the 166 are radically different vehicles. The US had a troop transport, while the Jerrys had a scout car.
The DUKW could transport 12 troops, 31 ft (9.45 m) in length, powered by a 269 cid (4,408cc) 6-cylinder engine.
The Schwimmwagen was a 4-seater, 382.5 cm (150.6 in) in length with an 1,131cc (69 cid) aircooled 4-cylinder boxer engine. Paddles were standard equipment.

I suspect that difference may be the source of the statement that the Schwimmwagen was the most-built amphibious car.

The DUKW is too large and long to fall within the bounds of what would be considered a "car"... its heritage is that of a truck. It's too big to use as a commute vehicle, or for a grocery run to Safeway, or for people to drive to Lovers' Lane with a new potential Significant Other (some of present company excepted, of course )

The DUKW, however, does make for a nice excursion vehicle for people who want to do riverboat sightseeing on a more personal basis.

Dave wrote:I suspect that difference may be the source of the statement that the Schwimmwagen was the most-built amphibious car.

I concur.

jwhouk wrote:The DUKW, however, does make for a nice excursion vehicle for people who want to do riverboat sightseeing on a more personal basis.

As long as it doesn't sink.

Or get run down by a barge.

Or catch fire.

AmriloJim wrote:Four-wheel drive variants include the Typ 87 Kommandeurwagen, which featured a KdF body, and the Typ 166 Schwimmwagen, which holds the distinction of being the most numerous mass-produced amphibious car in history.

The amphibious car I used to own was apparently a test prototype for a more modern version of the Schwimmwagen. It looked more like the Kübelwagen. I suppose that the idea didn't catch on, though it was fun to drive around (albeit very utilitarian).

AnotherFairportfan wrote:

jwhouk wrote:The DUKW, however, does make for a nice excursion vehicle for people who want to do riverboat sightseeing on a more personal basis.

As long as it doesn't sink.

Or get run down by a barge.

Or catch fire.

or have it's wheels/axle fall off while on a bridge...

scantrontb wrote:

AnotherFairportfan wrote:

jwhouk wrote:The DUKW, however, does make for a nice excursion vehicle for people who want to do riverboat sightseeing on a more personal basis.

As long as it doesn't sink.

Or get run down by a barge.

Or catch fire.

or have it's wheels/axle fall off while on a bridge...

Looking at the photos of the accident, I'm surprised more people weren't injured or dead.

Those Ducks are big! Just compare them to the charter bus...

... and an impressive sight when you get 'em in a row.

AmriloJim wrote:... and an impressive sight when you get 'em in a row.

dukwrow.jpg

All your DUKWs in a row?

From a forgotten source discussing combat and training for combat:

• Don't worry about getting all your ducks in a row before you act. The ducks are trying to kill you.

Around San Francisco (and maaaaybe San Diego too) they've turned some of those things into Tour Buses...

Awwww, looks like they shut down;

- http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/R ... 493582.php

- http://abc7news.com/business/ride-the-d ... n-/976634/

OK. You guys got me wondering whether the Amphi-Bus tour in Montreal is using Ducks or not...









But when I compare them to the images I get on a search using DUKW as the search term, I can see that it's a completely different animal...









Now I wonder what kind of driver's licence one needs to drive one of those... Does it depend on whether it's outfitted as a bus or as a personal vehicle/craft?



(Yeah, yeah, I know: even the image URL implies it's set up for a tour, but this kind of somewhat simpler modification could be used as a personal craft...)