July 16, 2026

Preview: All-new 35th scale Kurierwagen Typ 181 "Bluelight Version" from Das Werk

The Kurierwagen Typ 181 "Bluelight Version" wasn't what we expected, but it certainly is what we want! See Das Werk's new kit in 1/35th scale in features, colours, layout & the real thing in our preview...



Preview: All-new 35th scale Kurierwagen Typ 181 "Bluelight Version" from Das Werk

Kurierwagen Typ 181 "Bluelight Version"
From Das Werk
Kit No #DW35045
1/35th scale
Full interior kit
4 decal options
Clear parts & photo-etched parts included
The Subject: Kurierwagen Typ 181 "Blue Light Version"
From 1969 onwards, the Bundeswehr procured the VW Type 181 as a rugged and economical vehicle for courier, liaison, and driver-training duties. Its official designation was „Pkw 0.4 t tmil 4×2“, indicating partial militarisation and rear-wheel drive.
The unarmed standard model was designed for simplicity and practicality. It accommodated four soldiers and had no carpets or interior trim. Its exposed metal cabin, olive-green vinyl seats, and drainage holes allowed it to be cleaned easily with a hose. A folding fabric roof, a forward-folding windscreen, and removable doors created a highly open design.

VW 181 Feuerwehr (Fire Department) Cuxhaven Döse (which is north of Germany). The owner removed the operational vehicle's special parts, like the blue spinning light, because of the strict road rules in Germany.
The Type 181 used a modified Karmann Ghia floorpan and proven Volkswagen Beetle technology. Its rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engine initially produced 44 hp from 1.5 litres and, from 1973, 48 hp from 1.6 litres. Despite lacking four-wheel drive, the rear-engine layout and standard differential lock gave it good off-road capability. Civilian mass-produced components also made repairs simple and inexpensive. More than 15,000 vehicles were acquired, many remaining in service into the 1990s.

The sparse interior of the car...
For specialised duties, the Bundeswehr converted the Type 181 into radio and command vehicles, particularly for the Feldjäger. The „Funk-Kübel“ versions received a military 24-volt electrical system, a stronger alternator, and a second battery to power radio equipment such as the SEM 25 and SEM 35. The equipment replaced the rear seat or occupied the luggage compartment, reducing capacity to two or three occupants. Long whip antennas and a branch-deflector bar above the windscreen were their most distinctive features.
Versions used by the Feldjäger, medical units and garrison commands were also fitted with blue beacons and two-tone emergency horns. Many combined this warning equipment with the 24-volt radio system, allowing them to coordinate operations and exercise special traffic privileges while on duty.

The Kit:
With this model, we get an all-new series of kits based on the Volkswagen Type 181 cars; we see two already, with this and the other version without the sirens and communication gear. People will really appreciate this release.

Marking Options & Colour Profiles
The kit includes four different decal & marking options:
CAD images:
We can see more about the kit from the CAD images, with the car's cover shown in some good detail. We wonder if they will mould it all in clear. Hmmmm...
...and below we have some detailing the finer parts of the comms gear inside this kit...
The decals of the kit...

For more information on this kit, check out their site at this link on the Das Werk website.
This kit is not on the webstore yet, but it will no doubt come up for sale first on the MBK webstore...