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HISTORICAL MINIATURE
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In late 1941, the famous VW Schwimmwagen Type 166
came into mass production, to become the most numerous
amphibious car in the history.
But before that, the small series of 30 Schwimmwagen's
Type 128 was built. Unlike the Type 166, which had only
200 cm. wheelbase, the Type 128 was based on the
standard All-Wheel-Drive Kubelwagen Type 86 chassis
with the wheelbase of 240 cm. That led to the insufficient
rigidity, so the Type 128 was not put into mass production.
On 8 April 1942, two VW Schwimmwagens were delivered
from the Porsche company in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen to
the Panzer-Versuchs-und-Ersatz-Abteilung 300. These
two Schwimmwagens were deeply modified
128 Types
,
designated “Sondertyp 129” –
Special Type 129.
T
he Panzer-Abteilung 300 was quite special division,
where different types of experimental vehicles were
tested. Among them – Sd.Kfz.300 Borgward BI/BII
demolition drones, and Borgward “Ente” amphibious
radio-controlled self-propelled mine.
The VW Schwimmwagen Sondertyp 129 also was to be a
radio-controlled amphibious demolition drone, but
steering wheel was also left intact.
The crew compartment was sealed with metal hatches,
and the explosive charge was accommodated inside,
probably overweighting the vehicle greatly.
T
he exhaust
mufflers were rearranged into vertical position and
shielded with metal boxing – may be, to avoid steam
generation. The fuel tank was moved to the back.
VW Schwimmwagen
70 PARTS
1;35 COMPLETE RESIN KIT
SONDERTYP
129
GERMAN 1942
AMPHIBIOUS
REMOTE-CONTROLLED
ROCKET-BOOSTED
DEMOLITION DRONE
with
RI
-502
ROC
KET
BO
OST
ERS
Sondertyp 129 was to be used to destroy heavily-
armored objects on the shores. The problem was
that the remote-control operator had no feeling
when the vehicle touches the ground. To help the
vehicle to get out of the water, up to four rocket-
boosters had to be used.
Looks like these boosters were Rheinmetall-
Borsig RI-502 type (109-502 by RLM designation)
– (or similar) - solid fuel, electrically-ignited
rockets, used by Luftwaffe as Rocket-Assisted-
Take-Off (RATO) boosters for heavy gliders like
Gotha Go-242, or even jets like Me-262. One
booster delivered thrust of 600 kg. during 6
seconds, so four boosters could lift the Sondertyp
129 off the ground even vertically!
As it was standard to mount two boosters on most
aircrafts, these rockets were shipped in pairs, in a
special crate. This model kit includes such a crate
with a pair of RI-502 boosters.
In spring of 1942, one Schwimmwagen Sondertyp
129 was tested on the River Spree, in the course of
which one vehicle was expended.
The second vehicle issued to Panzer-Abteilung
300, most likely, was reconverted into
conventional Schwimmwagen, as it seen on the
period photos. But, knowing that Panzer-Abteilung
300 soon was relocated to the Crimea peninsula,
Russia, where the Siege of Sevastopol took place,
it's possible that it was used as it was initially
intended. But it's just a assumption.
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LEADWARRIOR
2016
SONDERTYP 129
VW SCHWIMMWAGEN
25
7
7
41+44
42+44
CL
CL
40
40
40
+4
4
40
+4
4
39+31
?
Fully armed version with 4 rockets installed,
and the Screw Drive in working position.
42+44
41+44
7
7
15
21
16
17
20
20
19
19
26
27
28
