Meng Model Kits

[PR19_Kit]

The dummy tracks look reasonable to scratch up though. Someone will do them in resin before long for sure!

[Weaver]

Those two need cross-kitting: the tracks on the turreted body.

If money was no object, what you really need is one turreted version and two half-tracks:

Put tracks, but no skis, on the turreted one and paint it in early Western Europe grey. Backstory is that it's a Panzer-1 substitute from the pre-war training days.

Put both sets of skis and a pusher aircraft engine on one of the others to make it an aerosan and paint it in Russian Front winter colours.

Put tracks, but no skis, on the last one and paint it Afrika Corps colours.

[Captain Canada]

That's really cool, don't think I've ever seen one before. I also like the cross kitting idea.

[Mossie]

Here's a link showing the extra parts for the halftrack Kubelwagen, 3D printed resin. There's also a bit more history, apparently it wasn't adopted as it could only make 8 kph and was incredibly thirsty.
https://www.themodellingnews.com/2025/03/preview-135th-scale-german-pkwk1.html?m=1

[jcf]

I converted an Italeri kubel to the tank simulator back around 1981.
Long gone like 90+% of what I've ever built.
🤣

[chrisonord]

That beetle needs half tracking 

And the turret too. 

Were the Kubelwagen variants real or 'Whiffs-in-a-box'?

It would be rude not to put a turret on yes

[Rheged]

Those two need cross-kitting: the tracks on the turreted body.

If money was no object, what you really need is one turreted version and two half-tracks:

Put tracks, but no skis, on the turreted one and paint it in early Western Europe grey. Backstory is that it's a Panzer-1 substitute from the pre-war training days.

Put both sets of skis and a pusher aircraft engine on one of the others to make it an aerosan and paint it in Russian Front winter colours.

Put tracks, but no skis, on the last one and paint it Afrika Corps colours.

Excellent examples  of whiffery  at its best.

[jcf]

That preview of the turreted Kubel is full of errant nonsense. It was not "armoured" nor was it
intended to act as a decoy to "fool the enemy". It was purely a training machine and primarily
used to teach maneuvers, basically how to move in groups with other vehicles without getting
in each other's way.

[Mossie]

I'll admit the decoy part didn't ring true. They're just not representitive of any tank and wouldn't stand up to all but the slightest scrutiny.

[Rick Lowe]

I saw a mention that the turreted version may have seen use in Anti-Partisan operations - was this also a product of someone's fevered imaginings?

[Wardukw]

 There's one of the armoured training KubelWagens on Trademe here for the massive price of $20nz   
Not my sort of build but when I see the halftrack version I'm in like sin guys 

[jcf]

It appears that the armoured VW 823 story originated with Spielberger back
in the '60s. With the rather ludicrous claim that, along with training and decoy use,
it was intended to replace the Kfz.13 armoured car. He claimed that between 80
and 100 were built but lost on the Eastern Front, which is why so few photos exist
and none showing them in combat.


Kfz.13
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[jcf]

Put the tracks on a Type 87 4WD Kommandeurswagen.

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[Mossie]

Put the tracks on a Type 87 4WD Kommandeurswagen.

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Great minds and all that!

Meng have released several boxing of the Kubelwagen in 1/35, here's two the most interesting, one with a box turret and a half track.

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You could easily rob the half track for something else:
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[jcf]

I saw your post, it's just that I've liked that photo for a while.