More of my military Collectables

[Sarge]

Here are some photos of a WW 2 display that I set up at military conventions, Air Shows, County Fairs and Gun Shows.
The first is at an airsho, the second is the first display I ever set up. It was for the opening of the movie Is Paris Burning in about 1967. The others are from gun shows. For almost everything I do in recent years I have reenactors come in to man the displays in uniform.
Sarge

[gunney_m]

Nice man, where's your handguns?

[Sarge]

You mean these? Or maby these?
I seldom put pistols out on the displays.
Sarge

[gunney_m]

Nice, Luger and Walther but no american?

[billy]

boy i sure like that vehicle.
i love those.
is that like a early version of what we call a VW thing?

[gunney_m]

Hey billy since your awake. Do you know anything about computers?

[billy]

nope!

[gunney_m]

*amn.

[billy]

Originally Posted by billy

boy i sure like that vehicle.
i love those.
is that like a early version of what we call a VW thing?

i had to quote myself so that a question about this thread would be current.

[blaster]

great collection, are the automatic weapons live or de-milled?

[Dookiebutt]

OMG! Now that's a collection.

[damage855]

billy yes that is what we call a "thing" but then it was called a Kubbelwagen

[billy]

i saw one with a propeller at a car show once.
it was an amphibious german military vehicle.
that thing was the COOLEST!

[Cyrano]

Originally Posted by billy

boy i sure like that vehicle.
i love those.
is that like a early version of what we call a VW thing?

billy, that's a Kubelwagen, the "bucket car" (literal translation of the name) that was the Wehrmacht's equivalent of the Jeep. If it's a real one, it's a survivor. Erwin Rommel once observed during the North Africa campaign that "Anywhere a camel can go, a Kubelwagen can follow!" In some ways, despite its lack of 4WD the Kubelwagen was actually a better vehicle than the WWII CJ2 Jeep.

And yes, it is (well,sort of) the progenitor of the Type 181 VW Thing. Here's the story.

Back in 1969, the Mexican farmers were complaining to Volkswagen about the various VW cars and trucks they were buying. Basically, the front axles weren't up to dealing with the lousy Mexican roads in rural areas and the ground clearance was too low. They were breaking axles all the time. They asked VW if the company could make something better suited to the back country than what was being marketed at the time that was as reliable as a Beetle.

The VW people remembered the Kubelwagen and what the Desert Fox had said. They also believed such a vehicle would have a ready entry into the US market, where standard Beetles were being turned into dune buggies. A vehicle coming straight from the factory with a high ground clearance and stronger axles would fit right into that class of car. So they updated the basic Kubelwagen design to accept the more modern 2000cc engine, 12 volt electrical system and a stock VW Bus transmission, and eliminated the suicide doors. They kept things like the petrol-fired cockpit heater, the mechanical voltage regulator, the use of the air in the spare tire (moved to under the hood) to power the windshield squirters, the fold-down windshield, removable window panels and a manual, military-style fabric roof. In fact, apart from a choice of four colors (white-and-pink, yellow, orange and dark green), the only option you had for the Type 181 was whether or not you wanted a radio!

The Mexican farmers loved the Type 181 when it reached the marketplace there. So VW started an ad campaign in mid-1971 in the USA featuring draped 181s and taglines like, "The Safari. Coming in 1972. Watch for it!" and would not let anyone, even in the automotive press, see what was under the covers. Speculation had reached fever pitch when the Safari was officially unveiled in Los Angeles in September 1971, the start of the '72 model year. VW made a big deal of the unveiling. The drapes were yanked off, and for the first time the Type 181 was seen in America. The auto press reporters took one look at the 'Safari,' and chorused in unison, "What the hell IS that thing?"

And the name stuck. Ever since, the Type 181 has been known as The Thing, at least in North America.

Unfortunately, The Thing never really caught on in the United States. They were only available here for three model years, 1972 and 1973, and the revamped (mostly by replacing the petrol cockpit heater with a conventional VW blown hot air type out of the Beetle) 1974 'rabbit ears' Thing. A very few people who loved the ultimate in stripped-down transportation bought them; but the dune buggy crowd VW was aiming at preferred to modify Beetles to their own taste rather than buy Things. I believe the total number of Things sold in the USA was about 25,000 over 3 years. Even the 1974 energy crisis couldn't save The Thing in America. It was dropped from VW's US line after the 1974 model year.

Elsewhere, they were still marketed and were popular with the same kind of people who lived in the back country and didn't want or could not afford Jeeps or Land Rovers. The Bundeswehr adopted the Thing to replace their jeeps and VW continued to make them for the German Army until about 1983. Every once in awhile one of those late models (including amphibious capability) shows up on the market. They always sell high, even though they're officially antique cars and military surplus to boot. The continuing evolution of the Kubelwagen design was remarkable. One of those 1983s is the Ultimate Thing I'd love to own.

I restored and owned a 1972 Thing for awhile; lost it in a nasty divorce and my ex subsequently totalled it. If I ever win the lottery I'm going to buy another. They really are tough little beasts and they really are fun to maintain and drive - and they really will go almost anywhere.

[Sarge]

The VW with a propeller was called a Schwimwagon. The US made a similar variant of the jeep nicknamed the Seep. It looked like a minature DUKW.

They actually brought in some 75 models because they came in durring Sep-Dez 74, before the emissions requirements killed their import.
They were continued in production in Mexico for several years after 75.
The Thing body was about 12" wider than the Kubel. The 72 (Not many imported) & 73 had gas heaters as optional eqpt - as was a winch and other items. The 74 & 75 had a forced air heater - like the Beatle - as standard equipment. The 75 also had a glove box door.
At one time I had 4 setting in my driveway - 3 73s and a 74. Could never find a 75 and just missed a 72.

I have a 1911 US Navy, a Colt single action, 2 Colt Bisleys(all 3 Colts are 38/40s) and a Ruger Bearcat for US handguns.

All of the FAs but 3 are functional - I've also got a WW 2 mortar.

[irish murphy]

Mate i love anything that is old or milsurp.That is a top collection of kit.I have a small collection of bits and pieces,mainly webbing,packs and other related gear.Where do you find most of your gear?shows or auctions?

[Sarge]

I get nrearly everything from individuals (vets or collectors), or gun & militaria shows. I buy almost nothing from the auction sites.
I've been at this since back when K98ks & P.38s were $20 ea and no german badge was worth more than $1, most only 50¢. WW 2 German items were also hard to find then, nearly all coming from vets. I had been collecting for about 5 yrs before I found some one else who collected the stuff.
Times are sure different now!!!
Sarge