Preview: A second 35th scale Kurierwagen Typ 181 "Standard" - Bundeswehr / Dutch Forces / Civilian from Das Werk

The Kurierwagen Typ 181 is the second in Das Werk's new kit in 1/35th scale cars. Features, colours, layout & the real thing in our preview...

Preview: A second 35th scale Kurierwagen Typ 181 "Standard" - Bundeswehr / Dutch Forces / Civilian from Das Werk

Kurierwagen Typ 181 "Standard" - Bundeswehr / Dutch Forces / Civilian

From Das Werk

Kit No #DW35044

1/35th scale

Full interior kit

4 decal options

Clear parts included

Product Link for this kit on the Das Werk Website

The Subject: Kurierwagen Typ 181 "Standard" - Bundeswehr / Dutch Forces / Civilian

The VW Type 181—officially designated by the Bundeswehr as the „Pkw 0.4 t tmil 4×2“ (partially militarised, rear-wheel drive)—was procured from 1969 onwards as a rugged and inexpensive interim vehicle for courier, liaison, and driver-training duties.

The civilian Type 181 Volkswagen, originally the VW Kurierwagen in Germany, carried various names globally: the VW Trekker in England, the VW Safari in Mexico and South America, and the VW Pescaccia in Italy. Upon its 1973 North American launch, Volkswagen simplified the moniker to the VW Thing, sparking a lasting cult following.

The unarmed basic version, without radio or blue-light equipment, was a prime example of minimalism. It could accommodate four soldiers and dispensed entirely with carpets and interior trim.

The cabin featured exposed sheet metal, olive-green vinyl seats, and drainage holes in the floor, allowing the vehicle to be cleaned easily with a water hose after use. Maximum openness was provided by a fully folding fabric roof, a windscreen that could be folded forward, and four doors that could be removed without tools.

"A god-darn hippie mobile!"

Technically, the Type 181 was based on a modified Karmann Ghia floorpan and proven Beetle components. At the rear, it was powered by an air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine, initially producing 44 hp from a displacement of 1.5 litres and, from 1973 onwards, 48 hp from 1.6 litres. Despite the lack of four-wheel drive, the vehicle offered impressive off-road capability thanks to the weight of the engine over the driven axle and a standard differential lock.

A major logistical advantage was its ease of maintenance. Because it used mass-produced civilian components, repairs could be carried out simply and inexpensively through the regular VW dealership network.

In total, the Bundeswehr acquired more than 15,000 of these virtually indestructible courier vehicles, many of which remained in service well into the 1990s

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The Kit:
With this model, we get an all-new series of kits based on the Volkswagen Type 181 cars; this is the civilian version, also used as a utility car by the military – a little like the US Jeep was used in both army & everyday service.

Product Details

Highly detailed static plastic model

Doors & front hood open/closed buildable

Clear & 3D parts (wheels & folded canvas) for maximum detail included

Fine printed decal sheet for marking 4 different options

Complete crew interior

Pre-cut masking stickers for clear parts

Marking Options & Colour Profiles

The kit includes four different decal & marking options:

-Bundeswehr, Panzerbataillon 33,

Luttmersen, 1970s

-Civilian use,

Netherlands, 1970s/1980s

-Bundeswehr, 1./Panzerartilleriebataillon 25,

Braunschweig, 1991

-Dutch Forces,

Netherlands, 1970s - early 1980s

CAD images:

We can see more about the kit from the CAD image. Nearly the same as the blue light version, without the military and blue light gear.

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...