TAMIYA 35225 German Schwimmwagen Type 166 Model Kit Scale 1:35 ‎TM35224

Tamiya 35225 German Schwimmwagen Type 166 Model Kit Scale 1:35The Volkswagen Beetle which has been called a German national car was conceived and designed in 1938 by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche the originator of the famous sports car manufacturer Porsche. The Beetles excellent features were matchless durability and inexpensiveness. Then the German Army decided to develop a military vehicle based on this small tough and inexpensive car. As a result several kinds of military vehicles were manufactured for trial. The amphibious Schwimmwagen type 128 was one of them.. After further refinements the vehicle was officially designated the Schwimmwagen type 166 and mass production began in 1942. Its high-set exhaust pipe at the rear looked quite humorous but of course it was so set in anticipation of the vehicles use on the water. The rear mounted air-cooled 4 cylinder engine had a displacement of 1130cm and output of 25 horse power propelling the car up to 80km/h on land while on the water to 10km/h. When running on the water the vehicle used a screw at the rear. It was raised above the rear engine deck once it was back on dry land. The steering on the water was done just like when it was on land by change of directions of front wheels which served as a rudder. In total 14276 type 166s were produced by the end of 1944 and those were actively employed to fulfil reconnaissance liaison and various other duties during World War II.