Wehrmacht Truck

[Nick]

Can anyone identify this vehicle ?

[Firefly]

What on earth is that?! Never seen it before. Had a flick through the books but no luck. Is it some sort of adapted Allied truck? Very odd looking......

[Nick]

Well I assume by the WH (Werhmacht) Plates that it is WW2 era and German but I am non the wiser?

[Craig]

Im still being kept against my will by Firefly and the Vice Chairman I reckon its an Italian vehicle maybe Alfa or Fiat. Firefly says it must have 6 reverse gears

[Firefly]

I've been looking at the picture with Foo over a beer. He made a good point, the grill of the truck looks like an Alfa Romeo one. In my opinion this is not a German truck, hence my post about it possibly being an adapted captured Allied vehicle. I therefore think it's Italian. We would know for sure if it had six reverse gears (sorry, please moderate if necessary!)

Any other views on what it could be?...........

[Nick]

Having done a little bit of research I have identified it as a Krupp Protze not 100% what version, either a KfZ 69 or 70 ???

Edited August 6, 2004 by Chairman

[John]

Looking at it, it almost looks like a US M3 Halftrack, pre op so to speak.

[Firefly]

Krupp Protze? Is that Czech or something?

[Nick]

Krupp were a German Company run by Gustav Krupp up until 1943 after which due to ill health his son Alfred took over. They manufactured various armaments during WW2 from subs to vehicles and guns and were responsible for using thousands of slave labourers from concentration camps. It is estimated 70,000 died whilst working for Krupp. Gustav Krupp was not indicted for war crimes due to senility but his son Alfred was sentenced to 12 years and his assets stripped from him. However due to the cold war Krupp was again needed for production, he was released, his assets restored, and today Krupp is still a leading conglomerate.

Edited August 7, 2004 by Chairman

[John]

This is a very odd design. How come we have not seen more of them ? I've never seen one of these before.
What was its purpose?

[Firefly]

How many people died at the factory?! Terrible. Strange looking vehicle...

[John]

Actually, 'fly, its looks like your car....

[Firefly]

This coming from a man in his 30's who can't even drive. Not that you'd ever be sober enough to anyway.......

[John]

How dare you! I am 29 , and have been for years! As for sober, thats rubbish , I never am.... :food-smiley-004: :food-smiley-004: :food-smiley-004:

[Guest Atilla Jones]

Looks like the photo was taken at a show. By coincidence recently noted that at War & Peace 2004 best axis vehicle winner was a Krupp Protze owned by the well - known restorer / vehicle owner Tony Oliver. Betcha that's the same truck, looks like Tony's immaculate restoration work.

[Guest Atilla Jones]

Incidentally, for those among us who like sticking itty bitty bits of polystyrene together Tamiya make a very presentable Protze, now released as an artillery tractor, nice.

[Laurence Strong]

Sdfkz 81 6x4 Krupp Proetze, which means "Boxer" named after the motor that drove it. It was mainly used early in the war, as an artillery tractor for light A/T and Flak, which probably accounts for why you don't see many. It was driven by a 4-cyl engine and had all around independent suspension. Hope this helps

Edited April 2, 2005 by Laurence Strong

[Firefly]

Ah yes, that makes it a bit easier to picture now, the canvas cover in the photo threw me off a bit....... wub.gif

[Jim Baker]

Laurence is right on. Actually a very common vehicle earlier in the war. Look at photos from Poland and the low countries. You'll see a lot of them.

[Daniel Murphy]

In 1991, when in England, a friend took me to Tony Olivers. The collection of vehicles, even at that time, was extremely impressive as was their condition. Tanks, Armored cars, staff cars, ambulances, motorcycles, and even Bikes and para scooters. I can see them all as if it were yesterday,

Dan Murphy

[Firefly]

Where is Tony based? I've heard his name mentioned many times.............

[Daniel Murphy]

Here is a link to his museum website. Ther museum is called the History on Wheels Museum. There are no photos, but it gives location directions and a description of the contents of the museum.

Dan Murphy

History on Wheels Museum

[Guest Modelltreff]

Can anyone identify this vehicle ?

The correct designation is:

Krupp L2 H143, in this case a Kfz.70 (Mannschaftstransportkraftwagen)

It's a light 6x4 truck of the german army in the early years of ww2

The H143 was produced from 1937-1941. With it's predecessor (L2 H43) together about 7.000 unit were build.

"Krupp Protze" was the designation for the Kfz 69, which were supposed to tow Ari pieces like the PaK36

There were few other variations in small numbers like Kfz. 19 Fernsprechbetriebskraftwagen.

Please try to google L2H143 or L2H43 for detailed information

[oli4vercammen]

a few months ago there was one for sale at ebay for 25000 euro. I love them, but I don't have 25000 to spent on such a nice vehicle and I don't have the space to ceep it safe also.

rare vehicles!