In Box Review of Dragon Bego Version 1/35th Scale
German Kubelwagen w/Leichter Infanteriekarren
Kit no. 9050
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1997
I paid $18.99 for my kit back in the 90’s.
Out of production
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1997
I paid $18.99 for my kit back in the 90’s.
Out of production
HISTORY:
The Volkswagen Kübelwagen (audio speaker icon listen (a back-formation of literally 'bucket' or 'tub' car), or simply Kübel, is a light military vehicle designed by Ferdinand Porsche and built by Volkswagen during World War II for use by the Nazi German military (both Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS).
Based heavily on the Volkswagen Beetle, it was prototyped and first deployed in Poland as the Type 62, but following improvements entered full-scale production as the Type 82. Several derivative models, such as the Kommandeurswagen, were also built in hundreds, or in dozens.
Kübelwagen is a contraction of Kübelsitzwagen, meaning 'bucket-seat car'. Before the war, this term became popular in Germany, for light open-topped, cross-country and military vehicles without doors, because these were typically equipped with bucket seats, to help keep occupants on board, in an era before the adoption of seat belts.
This body style had first been developed by Karosseri Fabrik N. Trutz [de] in 1923. The first Porsche Type 62 test vehicles had no doors and were therefore fitted with bucket seats as Kübelsitzwagen, that was later shortened to Kübelwagen.
Despite acquiring doors, and more regular, lower seats, the name "Kübelwagen" stuck, and was retained. Besides the Volkswagen plant, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, and Tatra also built Kübel(sitz)wagen, all of them rear-wheel drive only.
The Kübelwagen's rolling chassis and mechanics were built at what was then the Stadt des KdF-Wagens, ("City of the 'Strength through Joy'-Car") – renamed "Wolfsburg" after 1945 – and its body was built by U.S.-owned firm Ambi Budd Presswerke in Berlin.
The Kübelwagen's role as a light, multi-purpose military vehicle made it the German equivalent to the Allied Willys MB / Ford GPW "jeep" and the GAZ-67, after previous efforts to mass-produce standardized military four-wheel drives for the Wehrmacht had largely failed.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Volkswagenwerk GmbH
Also called: Safari, 'Bucket/Tub car'
Production: 50,435 (1940–1945)
Assembly: Stadt des KDF-Wagens, today Wolfsburg
Designer: Ferdinand Porsche Body and chassis
Class: Military vehicle
Body style: 4-door utility roadster
Layout: RR layout
Platform: VW Type 1 Kdf-Wagen
Related: VW 87 Kommandeurswagen, VW 166 Schwimmwagen, VW 276 Schlepperfahrzeug
Engine: air-cooled flat-4,985 cc (23.5 bhp (17.5 kW))/, 1,131 cc (25 bhp (19 kW))
Transmission: 4-speed manual, self-locking differential, portal gear reduction by 1.4:1
Wheelbase: 240 cm (7 ft 10 in)
Length: 374 cm (12 ft 3 in)
Width: 160 cm (5 ft 3 in)
Height: 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) (top up), 111 cm (3 ft 8 in) collapsible
Curb weight: 715 kg (1,576 lb) (GVW 1,160 kg)
Successor: DKW Munga (in German military), VW type 181 Thing / 182 Trekker
The Volkswagen Kübelwagen (audio speaker icon listen (a back-formation of literally 'bucket' or 'tub' car), or simply Kübel, is a light military vehicle designed by Ferdinand Porsche and built by Volkswagen during World War II for use by the Nazi German military (both Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS).
Based heavily on the Volkswagen Beetle, it was prototyped and first deployed in Poland as the Type 62, but following improvements entered full-scale production as the Type 82. Several derivative models, such as the Kommandeurswagen, were also built in hundreds, or in dozens.
Kübelwagen is a contraction of Kübelsitzwagen, meaning 'bucket-seat car'. Before the war, this term became popular in Germany, for light open-topped, cross-country and military vehicles without doors, because these were typically equipped with bucket seats, to help keep occupants on board, in an era before the adoption of seat belts.
This body style had first been developed by Karosseri Fabrik N. Trutz [de] in 1923. The first Porsche Type 62 test vehicles had no doors and were therefore fitted with bucket seats as Kübelsitzwagen, that was later shortened to Kübelwagen.
Despite acquiring doors, and more regular, lower seats, the name "Kübelwagen" stuck, and was retained. Besides the Volkswagen plant, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, and Tatra also built Kübel(sitz)wagen, all of them rear-wheel drive only.
The Kübelwagen's rolling chassis and mechanics were built at what was then the Stadt des KdF-Wagens, ("City of the 'Strength through Joy'-Car") – renamed "Wolfsburg" after 1945 – and its body was built by U.S.-owned firm Ambi Budd Presswerke in Berlin.
The Kübelwagen's role as a light, multi-purpose military vehicle made it the German equivalent to the Allied Willys MB / Ford GPW "jeep" and the GAZ-67, after previous efforts to mass-produce standardized military four-wheel drives for the Wehrmacht had largely failed.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Volkswagenwerk GmbH
Also called: Safari, 'Bucket/Tub car'
Production: 50,435 (1940–1945)
Assembly: Stadt des KDF-Wagens, today Wolfsburg
Designer: Ferdinand Porsche Body and chassis
Class: Military vehicle
Body style: 4-door utility roadster
Layout: RR layout
Platform: VW Type 1 Kdf-Wagen
Related: VW 87 Kommandeurswagen, VW 166 Schwimmwagen, VW 276 Schlepperfahrzeug
Engine: air-cooled flat-4,985 cc (23.5 bhp (17.5 kW))/, 1,131 cc (25 bhp (19 kW))
Transmission: 4-speed manual, self-locking differential, portal gear reduction by 1.4:1
Wheelbase: 240 cm (7 ft 10 in)
Length: 374 cm (12 ft 3 in)
Width: 160 cm (5 ft 3 in)
Height: 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) (top up), 111 cm (3 ft 8 in) collapsible
Curb weight: 715 kg (1,576 lb) (GVW 1,160 kg)
Successor: DKW Munga (in German military), VW type 181 Thing / 182 Trekker
THE KIT:
Dragon (sometimes DML) is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
I haven’t a clue as to what this Bego name is that is all over the box?
The kit comes in a blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box, that is 2 ½” too long and 1 ½” too wide.
The cover art shows a Kubelwagen towing a two-wheeled trailer on a dirt field.
In the background there is a German field-policeman standing on the fender of a knocked-out Soviet T-34 tank. Holding a direction paddle up in his left hand. He is directing two German half-tracks, loaded with men.
In front of the Kubelwagen there is a motorcycle with a sidecar.
The Kubelwagen and the trailer are overall Panzer-gay, with a white license plate with black SS-51000 on it. A man in a khaki uniform is exiting the Kubelwagen.
The trailer has a load of 3 jerry cans, a steel ammo can and a panzerschreck.
One side panel of the box begins with a small color box art of Dragon’s kit no 9043, a Jagdpanzer IV L/70, command version.
This is followed by a CAUTION, that when you use paint or cement don’t be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room. In 6 languages, including English.
Kit is not suitable for children under 3 due to small parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. In multiple languages, including English.
Importer for Europe is Italeri and their address in Italy is given.
Copyright of the kit is 1997, over Dragon’s street address in Hong Kong, China.
Dragon (sometimes DML) is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
I haven’t a clue as to what this Bego name is that is all over the box?
The kit comes in a blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box, that is 2 ½” too long and 1 ½” too wide.
The cover art shows a Kubelwagen towing a two-wheeled trailer on a dirt field.
In the background there is a German field-policeman standing on the fender of a knocked-out Soviet T-34 tank. Holding a direction paddle up in his left hand. He is directing two German half-tracks, loaded with men.
In front of the Kubelwagen there is a motorcycle with a sidecar.
The Kubelwagen and the trailer are overall Panzer-gay, with a white license plate with black SS-51000 on it. A man in a khaki uniform is exiting the Kubelwagen.
The trailer has a load of 3 jerry cans, a steel ammo can and a panzerschreck.
One side panel of the box begins with a small color box art of Dragon’s kit no 9043, a Jagdpanzer IV L/70, command version.
This is followed by a CAUTION, that when you use paint or cement don’t be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room. In 6 languages, including English.
Kit is not suitable for children under 3 due to small parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. In multiple languages, including English.
Importer for Europe is Italeri and their address in Italy is given.
Copyright of the kit is 1997, over Dragon’s street address in Hong Kong, China.
The other side-panel of the box shows 3 color walk-around type photos of the Kubelwagen and trailer made up, followed by a repeat of the copyright date and Dragon’s address.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 14 medium-gray part trees, a clear tree, a steel PE fret and the decal sheet in 5 sealed clear cello bags.
There are 2 instruction sheets.
The main instructions for the Kubelwagen is a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 5 ½” x 8 ½” page format.
This sheet is also the one for Dragon’s kit no. 9034, the Kubelwagen Type 82 w/crew. The cover art for that kit is shown in a black and white illustration at the top of page 1. It shows a Kubelwagen parked next to an armored railroad car, with an officer standing beside it, holding a pair of binoculars.
The bottom of page 1 is assembly instructions for the 2 figures in the kit.
Page 2 through to page 5 gives a grand total of 13 assembly steps for the Kubelwagen.
Spread across the bottom of these 4 pages is RULES about the kit in 6 languages and a suggested paint listing and international assembly symbol explanations in multiple languages, including English.
Pages 6 and 7 are painting and making guides.
Page 6 has two 4-views of a Kubelwagen.
Both are overall Panzer-gray.
The top one has a white letter V on the sides of its front doors and on its rear. It carries license plate no. WL-244176, on its front and rear, and was with the German Luftwaffe.
The one at the bottom carries license plate no. WH-1276782 on its front and rear.
Page 7 has illustrations of the two figures. The driver and the officer both wear khaki uniforms with black jack boots. The driver wears a billed cloth field cap. The officer wears a vest, a map case on his belt, camouflaged-trousers and has a pair of binoculars in his right hand and a map in his left.
Strangely there is a wine bottle by the officer’s feet.
Page 8 is the parts trees illustrations for the Kubelwagen. Over decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English.
The second instructions is a single-sheet, printed on both sides in 8” x 11 ½” page format.
The face side shows a painting guide at the top for the 2-wheeled trailer. It is overall Panzer-gray with no markings shown.
Below it is the parts-trees illustrations for the trailer and a listing of Gunze Sangyo brand paint colors.
Copyright of the kit is 1997 and printing was done in Hong Kong.
The reverse side of the sheet shows 7 assembly steps that are not numbered. Sheet is folded once to fit the box.
Trees are alphabetized.
For the Kubelwagen:
Medium-gray letter A tree holds: the floor, sides, hood, windshield frame, drive chain, fenders, hood, doors etc. (20 parts)
The kit holds 14 medium-gray part trees, a clear tree, a steel PE fret and the decal sheet in 5 sealed clear cello bags.
There are 2 instruction sheets.
The main instructions for the Kubelwagen is a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 5 ½” x 8 ½” page format.
This sheet is also the one for Dragon’s kit no. 9034, the Kubelwagen Type 82 w/crew. The cover art for that kit is shown in a black and white illustration at the top of page 1. It shows a Kubelwagen parked next to an armored railroad car, with an officer standing beside it, holding a pair of binoculars.
The bottom of page 1 is assembly instructions for the 2 figures in the kit.
Page 2 through to page 5 gives a grand total of 13 assembly steps for the Kubelwagen.
Spread across the bottom of these 4 pages is RULES about the kit in 6 languages and a suggested paint listing and international assembly symbol explanations in multiple languages, including English.
Pages 6 and 7 are painting and making guides.
Page 6 has two 4-views of a Kubelwagen.
Both are overall Panzer-gray.
The top one has a white letter V on the sides of its front doors and on its rear. It carries license plate no. WL-244176, on its front and rear, and was with the German Luftwaffe.
The one at the bottom carries license plate no. WH-1276782 on its front and rear.
Page 7 has illustrations of the two figures. The driver and the officer both wear khaki uniforms with black jack boots. The driver wears a billed cloth field cap. The officer wears a vest, a map case on his belt, camouflaged-trousers and has a pair of binoculars in his right hand and a map in his left.
Strangely there is a wine bottle by the officer’s feet.
Page 8 is the parts trees illustrations for the Kubelwagen. Over decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English.
The second instructions is a single-sheet, printed on both sides in 8” x 11 ½” page format.
The face side shows a painting guide at the top for the 2-wheeled trailer. It is overall Panzer-gray with no markings shown.
Below it is the parts-trees illustrations for the trailer and a listing of Gunze Sangyo brand paint colors.
Copyright of the kit is 1997 and printing was done in Hong Kong.
The reverse side of the sheet shows 7 assembly steps that are not numbered. Sheet is folded once to fit the box.
Trees are alphabetized.
For the Kubelwagen:
Medium-gray letter A tree holds: the floor, sides, hood, windshield frame, drive chain, fenders, hood, doors etc. (20 parts)
Medium-gray letter B tree holds: the canvas roof, wheel rims, seats, engine compartment hood door, dashboard, shovel in pouch, notek lamp, steering wheel, rearview mirror, shift levers etc. (40 parts) The canvas roof part is shaded out in the parts-trees illustrations. Meaning it is excess and not needed if you don’t want to use it.
It has parts on it for both the Kubelwagen and the trailer.
It has parts on it for both the Kubelwagen and the trailer.
Medium-gray letter C three holds: trunk wall and door and some engine parts etc. (13 parts)
Medium-gray letter D tree holds wheels (5 parts)
Medium-gray letter E tree holds 5 more wheels, 4 wheel rims etc. (13 parts) 10 parts are shaded out as being excess in the parts-trees illustrations.
Medium-gray letter E tree holds 5 more wheels, 4 wheel rims etc. (13 parts) 10 parts are shaded out as being excess in the parts-trees illustrations.
An un-alphabeted medium-gray tree holds weapons (16 parts)
The two steel PE frets are next (14 parts)
One fret for the Kubelwagen and one for the trailer.
One fret for the Kubelwagen and one for the trailer.
Clear letter G tree holds the windshield glass (8 parts)
For the trailer:
Medium-gray letter a tree holds; floor and sides etc. (12 parts)
Medium-gray letter a tree holds; floor and sides etc. (12 parts)
Letter B tree, already described above)
An un-alphabeted medium-gray tree holds the 2 figures etc. Divided into separate heads, torsos, arms and legs. (23 parts) 5 parts are excess.
An un-alphabeted medium-gray tree holds the 2 figures etc. Divided into separate heads, torsos, arms and legs. (23 parts) 5 parts are excess.
Medium-gray letter b tree holds wheels (2 parts)
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter N trees that hold jerry cans (4 parts ea.)
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
This is a neat little kit.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.