AF35228 SCHWIMMWAGEN type 128

SCHWIMMWAGEN type 128

The VW Type 128 and 166 Schwimmwagen (literally Floating/Swimming Car) were amphibious four-wheel drive off-roaders, used extensively by German ground forces during the Second World War. 

he earliest Type 128 prototype was based on the full-length Kübelwagen chassis with a 240 cm (7.9 ft) wheelbase. Pre-production units of the 128, fitted with custom welded bodytubs, demonstrated that this construction was too weak for tough off-roading, had insufficient torsional rigidity, and easily suffered hull-ruptures at the front cross-member, as well as in the wheel-wells. This was unacceptable for an amphibious vehicle. The large-scale production models (Type 166) were therefore made smaller, and had a wheel-base of only 200 cm (6.6 ft).

Twee uitvoeringen mogelijk;

• SCHWIMMWAGEN type 128 - XXXXVII.Panzer Korps, Left Bank of the Elbe, May 1945.
• SCHWIMMWAGEN type 128 - Panzer Aufkl.Abt. 6, Arnhem, September 1944.