Constructive Feedback
For in-progress or completed build photos. Give and get contructive feedback!
Opel Blitz Walk Around - Reference
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 - 03:59 AM UTC
Great modern reenactment shot by Micael Carlsson:


Opel, Zundapp and Horch

(Micael - you need to apply a tiny bit of Photoshop and turn those modern roof top TV antennas into lightning rods!)
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 - 07:53 AM UTC
AND THE WINNER IS:

for the most unusual conversion of an Opel Blitz!

165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 - 12:10 PM UTC
Super sharp Blitz 2.6 Bus:



Tiger_213
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: August 10, 2012
KitMaker: 1,510 posts
Armorama: 1,443 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 - 01:46 PM UTC
The wrecker conversion, it looks like they used a radio cable reels as the 'landing gear' stability wheels on the back.

And Tamiya has a 1.5 short bed coming out now I believe.
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 - 02:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The wrecker conversion, it looks like they used a radio cable reels as the 'landing gear' stability wheels on the back.

And Tamiya has a 1.5 short bed coming out now I believe.



That exact same thought crossed my mind about using cable reels but I wondered if they could carry the load? Also the thin metal rims would just cut into the ground wouldn't they?
Tiger_213
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: August 10, 2012
KitMaker: 1,510 posts
Armorama: 1,443 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 - 02:46 PM UTC
If they welded some metal stock around it I bet they could lift two, maybe even three tons before things go wrong. It's hard to tell with all the odd shadows on that guys pant leg being directly in front of it.

It looks way to big to be a normal landing gear type wheel. And just with a quick look there's enough room for six holes, which I think is how many there on a reel.

Couldn't find a picture of the specific type though. I'll poke through my reference sites.
mikeincalif
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: March 18, 2014
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 10 posts
Posted: Monday, April 07, 2014 - 05:36 PM UTC
Great pics! Thanks for the images and descriptions. I'm doing the Zvezda L4500, and it is a nice kit. Not settled on paint/markings yet though.
Tiger_213
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: August 10, 2012
KitMaker: 1,510 posts
Armorama: 1,443 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 - 02:23 PM UTC

Quoted Text

If they welded some metal stock around it I bet they could lift two, maybe even three tons before things go wrong. It's hard to tell with all the odd shadows on that guys pant leg being directly in front of it.

It looks way to big to be a normal landing gear type wheel. And just with a quick look there's enough room for six holes, which I think is how many there on a reel.

Couldn't find a picture of the specific type though. I'll poke through my reference sites.



Found them, thrid photo down.

Not one of my references, figures. Not even looking for the damn things and get them in a unrelated search.

EDIT: Failed to post the link;

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=73232&start=135

165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 03:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Great pics! Thanks for the images and descriptions. I'm doing the Zvezda L4500, and it is a nice kit. Not settled on paint/markings yet though.



The L4500 is an excellent kit! Who ever heard of a model kit engine that actually comes with an oil dip stick? Super nice detailing. Outstanding!

165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 04:25 PM UTC
Kudos to Italeri for making so many variations on the Opel Blitz theme!

(Unlike some other manufactures that make one and then they're done!)


Einheits cab Blitz under construction:
AlanL
Visit this Community
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: August 12, 2005
KitMaker: 14,499 posts
Armorama: 11,675 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2014 - 04:41 AM UTC
Hi Michael,

Great range of reference photos there and some fine builds in the making.

Cheers

Al
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 12:38 AM UTC
I know this is bogus but I had the idea and just could not help myself.

The Russians did add a third, unpowered axle to some captured Opels to increase their load capacity but to my knowledge Opel never experimented with a three axle Blitz. (Can't imagine why not!)





As far as the rear suspension goes I figured any attempt to build a one of a kind, experimental 4x6 Blitz would use as many off the shelf parts as possible which is why I avoided the temptation to do a custom leaf spring arrangement in the rear.

I used four stock Blitz leaf springs and overlapped them using a teeter-totter equilizing arrangement between the the two sets.

In this photo the connecting driveshaft between the rear axles has not yet been installed.
(More photos to follow.)
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 01:00 AM UTC


This structure is called an "over the shoulder gearbox". Use of this device avoids the need to add a transfer case and double rear drive shafts to the vehicle such as is used on the US Deuce and a Half.
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 01:17 AM UTC
I considered going with a standard cab and an extended load box but then thought what the heck, if Opel were going to show this design to Hitler they would have gone for the most striking design changes possible so why not a crew cab as well?



I made the body overhang at the rear the same as it is on the two axle Blitz. If I were to do it over again I would move the 2 axle boggie closer to the rear of the vehicle.
Grumpyoldman
Staff MemberConsigliere
KITMAKER NETWORK
Visit this Community
Florida, United States
Joined: October 17, 2003
KitMaker: 15,338 posts
Armorama: 7,297 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 11:51 AM UTC
Excellent photos and models Mike.
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - 12:30 AM UTC
Thanks Dave. I need to take more progress photos - both the 4x6 Opel and the Einheits cab Blitz have progressed to the painting stage. The Einheits cab Blitz is now in full cammo and the 4x6 has a base coat of finished paint, however the cab is still in primer.
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 25, 2016 - 03:55 AM UTC
A recent Blitz project:

I modified the load bed to represent the more rare, easier to load, low floor, "curbside" version of the Blitz. Also scratch built a small tool trailer I saw at the Victory Museum in Auburn, IN.
(Only the load box on the trailer is scratch built - the rest is a standard flak trailer.)








Victory Museum, Auburn, IN. All photos copyright Michael Koenig 2012
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 04, 2016 - 03:44 AM UTC
A little progress on my home built Blitz 4x4 ambulance conversion:

Lowered the height of the Italeri shelter body, scratch built the clerestory and the cab top stowage rack. Working now on the rear doors and staircase.

Homer0331
Visit this Community
Missouri, United States
Joined: March 19, 2014
KitMaker: 148 posts
Armorama: 148 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 04, 2016 - 10:01 PM UTC
How about replicating a scene from a popular movie?

Italeri's 1/24th scale Blitz.


165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 04:26 AM UTC
Ah yes, but that truck was, I think, a Henchel. . . . or maybe a Mercedes.

Beautifully done crates and Blitz though!
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 01:21 PM UTC
Some progress on my kooky 4x6 Blitz searchlight truck and generator trailer:





I intend to also add a large wooden, slope topped tool chest at the front of the loadbox and electrical cable reels mounted at the rear edge of the bed.
wroosels
Visit this Community
Antwerpen, Belgium
Joined: January 02, 2017
KitMaker: 18 posts
Armorama: 17 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 15, 2017 - 04:31 PM UTC
Great initiative and pictures!
What I'm searching for years for are pictures showing the seats/banks in the cargobed for those Opels that served as personal carrier as i would like to model one.

Kind regards
Walter

165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 15, 2017 - 06:39 PM UTC
Don't really have any reference on the troop seats. I guess I have always taken Italeri as gospel given that they always show four large planks arranged cross wise on their Blitz and fitted into side wall brackets.

Saw a Steyr once with lengthwise folding benches a bit like Deuce folding benches.
wroosels
Visit this Community
Antwerpen, Belgium
Joined: January 02, 2017
KitMaker: 18 posts
Armorama: 17 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 16, 2017 - 12:13 AM UTC
I suppose different arrangements existed. I'm searching for some references of this one https://www.airfix.com/media/tinymce_upload/0fed23b44a8bf6ba3e2758b80ede486d.jpg
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 16, 2017 - 03:17 AM UTC
A Steyr with length wise troop seats: I built this model based on a Wings and Wheels book that has photo documentation of the real vehicle.



_____________________________________________________________

Then too, here is also a Blitz with length wise seating:


And another, different Blitz also with lengthwise seating,


And finally, a Ford 1500 with lengthwise, toolbox seating.