1/35 Kurierwagen Typ 181 (Bluelight Version)

The Volkswagen Type 181 Kurierwagen was developed as a low-cost and extremely simple solution to the Bundeswehr’s requirement for a light communications and courier vehicle. Rather than developing an entirely new design, the engineers opted for tried-and-tested components: a modified Karmann Ghia floor pan, the technology of the legendary ‘Beetle’, and an air-cooled, flat-four engine mounted at the rear. The vehicle was demonstratively basic and practical – four doors, a fully folding canvas roof, a windscreen that folded forwards, bare sheet metal in the interior, vinyl-upholstered seats and drainage holes in the floor, which made it easy to wash the cabin with water. Power was sent to the rear axle; the original 1.5-litre engine producing 44 k was later replaced by a 1.6-litre version producing 48 k. The Bundeswehr purchased over 15,000 of these virtually indestructible vehicles, some of which remained in service until the 1990s. On civilian markets, the vehicle was sold under various names – as the ‘Thing’ in the USA and Canada, the ‘Trekker’ in the UK, the ‘Safari’ in Mexico and South America, and the ‘Pescaccia’ in Italy.

The ‘Bluelight’ version is the Type 181 used by services employing blue light signalling. For special tasks, the Bundeswehr modified these vehicles into communications and command vehicles, particularly for the Feldjäger (military police). The so-called ‘Funk-Kübel’ were fitted with a 24 V military on-board power supply, a more powerful alternator and a second battery to power radio equipment such as the SEM 25 and SEM 35 radio sets. Feldjäger vehicles, ambulances and garrison headquarters vehicles were also equipped with blue rotating beacons and a two-tone siren. A distinctive external feature of these vehicles was their long rod antennas and a hinged frame above the windscreen to protect against branches.

The Das Werk 1:35 scale kit uses the same mould as the standard version, supplemented with new parts typical of military and emergency service vehicles. The wheels and radio set with receiver are produced using 3D printing technology. The model features a fully detailed crew compartment; the doors and bonnet can be assembled in either the open or closed position, and the transparent parts are painted using the included pre-cut self-adhesive masks. Clear and photo-etched parts are also included. The sheet of water-slide decals includes four paint schemes: a Bundeswehr Feldjäger vehicle from the training unit in Sonthofen from the early 1970s, a Bundesgrenzschutz command vehicle from Goslar from 1972, a Landespolizei vehicle from Gorleben dating from 1980, and a volunteer fire brigade vehicle from Bremen dating from 1982. The finished model is approximately 108 mm long; the difficulty level is stated as suitable for beginners to intermediate modellers. The pack does not contain the paints or adhesives required for assembly.