Tracing the development of VWs military and civilian Kubel types
over 50 years. Reporting on types 82, 128, 181, Country Buggy, 'The
Thing' and Iltis.
The Kubelwagen which literally translated means 'bucket car' was
created during WW2 to fill much the same military use as the famous US
Army Jeep. Both machines were introduced about the same time, and there
any similarity ends. The second generation Kubelwagen was 'The Thing' a
1969 reintroduction of the same concept. This was known as the Type 181
in the US and the Trekker or Type 182 in the UK where it was supplied
with right-hand-drive, later versions produced in Mexico were called the
Safari. 'The Thing' was replaced in 1979 by the Iltis which immediately
went into military service in Germany and subsequently in Canada,
Belgium and a number of other countries. Also reported on is the low
volume Australian built Country Buggy which made its debut in 1968. This
anthology of Kubelwagen material has been compiled by the well known
military and technological historian Konrad F. Schreier Jr. His
extensive credits include eight books and several hundred magazine
articles plus numerous television and film assignments where he acted as
military consultant. Models covered: 82, 128, 181, Country Buggy, ?The
Thing? & Iltis.
