Built by Volkswagen, the simple yet reliable Kubelwagen ("bucket car") was the German equivalent of the American Jeep. This nimble four-seater, based on Ferdinand Porsche's original "People's Car" design of the 1930's, used the same rear-mounted, aircooled engine to drive the rear wheels. Some models mounted an MG 42 machine gun behind the front passenger seat, giving the Kubelwagen a nasty bite. Other variants included an amphibious vehicle, called the Schwimmwagen, as well as radio communications, maintenance, ambulance, and survey variants.

This particular VW-82 Kubelwagen was nicknamed "OTTO," and used by legendary Luftwaffe ace Hans Joachim Marseille, then serving in North Africa during 1942. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 3-inches
Width: 1-1/4-inches

Release Date: December 2011

Historical Account: "Uncle Otto" - After claiming his 100th kill on June 17th, 1942, Marseille returned to Germany for two months leave. On August 6th, he began his journey back to North Africa accompanied by his fiance Hanne-Lies Kpper. On August 13th, he met Benito Mussolini in Rome and was presented with the highest Italian military award for bravery, the Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare.

Leaving his fiance in Rome, Marseille returned to combat duties on August 23rd. On September 1st, 1942, was Marseille's most successful day, destroying 17 enemy aircraft, and September would see him score 54 kills, his most productive month. The 17 enemy aircraft shot down included eight in 10 minutes, as a result of this feat he was presented with a type 82 Volkswagen Kubelwagen by an Italian Regia Aeronautica squadron, on which his Italian comrades had painted "Otto" (Italian language: Otto = eight). This was the most aircraft from Western Allied air forces shot down by a single pilot in one day. Only one pilot, Emil "Bully" Lang on November 4th, 1943, would better this score, against the Soviet Air Force on the Eastern Front.