Kässbohrer Flexmobil FM 23.150K

     Notes: This all-terrain vehicle is based upon the civilian Kässbohrer Pisten Bully, used by some 40 countries throughout the world.  It is a general-purpose cargo and troop carrier for use in deep snow, swamps, mud, and other such terrain, in addition to normal terrain.  To accomplish this, the Flexmobil uses wide tracks, made from rubber with steel track shoes.  (Three widths of tracks are available.)  The main rollers are self-cleaning.  The transmission has a hydrostatic drive which also powers the steering and braking systems.  Two engines are available; one is water cooled and develops 150 horsepower, and the other is air-cooled and develops 160 horsepower.  If necessary, the engine may use up to 80 horsepower of its output (when stationary) to power tools and equipment which require it.  A large amount of options and accessories are available, including a snowplow, snow-blower, a materiel-handling crane, a 3-ton-capacity winch with 50 meters of 11mm cable, and snow sweeping brushes.

     The body of the Flexmobil has as its base a steel cab, and is basically a large box-shaped structure.  The rear area may have seats or a cargo bed and be covered by bows and a canvas tarpaulin; another option is a fully enclosed rear area.  Large windows surround the cab, and if the rear area is enclosed, it also has large windows around it.  Another option is the cab along with a rear area mounting a backhoe or a fifth wheel; if the fifth wheel is mounted, it may be used to tow a special tracked semi-trailer, weighing 2 tons and having a capacity of 4 tons. 

     A variant of this vehicle, the FM 23.150K Series 106, may have a 150-horsepower engine (a different one than the FM 23.150K) or a 152-horsepower engine.  This version has a modified transmission and exhaust system which reduces engine noise and fuel consumption.  The steering mechanism is also changed to make steering easier, and fuel tankage is increased.

     The Flexmobil has not seen wide use, but has had some sales to various unnamed countries, as well as to the UN.

Faun Kraka 640

     Notes: This is a motorized cart similar in concept to the French LOHR Fardier.  They were designed as light vehicles for airborne units to carry bulk supplies, large weapons, and casualties.  There is a rudimentary driving position and a flat area behind him, which may or may not, depending on the model, have retaining rails or low flat sides.  On each side of the driver are two small boxes, each a little larger than an ammo can, for storing various items.  There are no actual passenger seats; the Crew rating below is a measure of how many fully equipped troops can fit on that cargo platform. The entire vehicle is collapsible for air transport or air dropping to about half of its extended size. At first, the prototype Krakas used a 16-horsepower engine, but this was found to be too weak in testing, and this was quickly changed to a 26-horsepower BMW 427 gasoline engine. Despite its small size and power, the Kraka is capable of towing small trailers; if the trailer has its own brakes, 960 kilograms may be towed, but only a 350-kilogram trailer without brakes may be towed.

Mercedes Benz LKW Wolf IFAV

     Notes: This light vehicle is in use by German forces and in limited use by the US Marines for their Force Recon units.  It is designed meant to provide a more capable vehicle than the FAV in a size similar to the M-151 Jeep.  The Jeep uses very flammable gasoline and has a tendency to turn over during high-speed turns.  The FAV is considered too small for many purposes, and both vehicles are too wide to be deployed inside V-22 Osprey aircraft, while the Wolf can.  The Wolf can be equipped with up to three weapon mounts, but weapons are not included in the basic cost of the vehicle. Most Wolves are unarmored, though versions with armor plating were used by US Marines in Afghanistan. The engine is a 290 GDT 2.9-liter turbocharged diesel developing 156 horsepower.

*The passengers in the rear have a reduced armor protection compared to the cab; the passengers have only one meter high armor on the sides and rear, and do not have overhead armor.  The entire vehicle has a protected undercarriage and has an AV of 4Sp.

Mercedes-Benz L508 DG MA

     Notes: This light truck is primarily meant to transport troops and equipment over roads; and cross-country capability is quite poor.  It is basically a civilian truck with a minimum of modifications to suit a military role.  The vehicle has a heater, and the cab is insulated both against temperature and noise.  (The L508 D/35, a van-bodied variant, also has these features for the rear van body.)  The rear cargo area has a wooden floor and side rails, but the side boards and tailgate are of steel, with the side boards being droppable.  There are also support points in the center of the cargo bed for the attachment of a central double row of seats, and steel stowage boxes at the front of the cargo bed.  The cargo area may be covered by a canvas tilt over removable bows.  All sides of the cargo bed may be completely removed, including the folding troops seats, allowing the truck to act as a flatbed transport and also revealing locking points for shelter bodies or pallets. Power is provided by an OM314 diesel developing 85 horsepower.

DKW Munga

     Notes: This is a small jeep-type vehicle used by Germany, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.  It is a basic 4x4 vehicle with a removable tilt and a post for a weapon.  It is basically an unremarkable vehicle, but one likely to be encountered in Europe. It is a simple vehicle with low-power engines and a simple sheet steel over steel pipe construction. The Munga was also built in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where it was known as the DKW Candango. It was built in Sao Paulo from 1958 to 1963. In Europe, Mungas remained in service until 1995, with production continuing until 1968. In addition to military use, the Munga was used by German fire brigades, emergency services and forestry service.

IFA P2M

     Notes: This was one of East Germany’s first attempts at an indigenous light military vehicle, and it was somewhat less than successful.  It was nevertheless still in limited use in East Germany until the re-unification, though most of them had been replaced by the P3 and the UAZ-469.  It essentially looks like a smaller version of the P3, being a jeep-like vehicle with straight vertical steel sides, the ability to mount a roll bar and bows over which a tarpaulin cover may be used, and a folding windshield.  The P2M has four doors in the sides for entry to the seats.  The biggest problems with the P2M are that it is relatively heavy, underpowered, and the engine is poorly made and tends to overheat with distressing regularity.  The engine is an OM6-35 gasoline engine developing 65 horsepower. Another problem is the poor load-carrying capability and towing ability (750 kilograms – 500 kilograms if the trailer in question has no brakes).  However, the P2M operates relatively well off-road, and is equipped with locking differentials. The P2M is primarily a museum and collector’s vehicle these days, but a few may be found in obscure corners of the world that were once Soviet client states.  These are likely to be in poor repair due to age and the generally poor quality of the vehicle.

     The P2S is amphibious version of the P2M, distinguished by its longer boat-like body, the fitting of a bilge pump, and the addition of a propeller (which cannot be started until the vehicle is in the water).

     Twilight 2000: The P2M was used during the Twilight War, though most of them quickly became unusable early in hostilities due to the stresses placed upon them by the war.

IFA P3

     Notes: This former East German vehicle replaced the earlier P2M in 1962.  It is a large, clunky, jeep-like vehicle with a heavy body and frame and straight steel sides, and a suspension only partially suited to off-road use.  The P3 has a door for the driver and commander and another door at the rear.  The metal body goes halfway up the vehicle; the P3 may be driven with no top, only a roll bar and the bows, or with bows and a canvas top.  The P3 is powered by an OM-35L gasoline engine; this is the same engine as the P2M, uprated and with an aluminum alloy block and fittings. A problem is the poor load-carrying capability and towing ability (750 kilograms – 500 kilograms if the trailer in question has no brakes). The windshield may be folded down against the hood if desired.  The P3 is basically a museum or collector’s piece for the most part these days, but can still occasionally be found in use in some Third World former Soviet client states.  Any examples in actual use would probably no longer have a very good wear rating, due to age and poor quality of construction.  Most P3s were long ago replaced by the UAZ-469 and later vehicles.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: During the Twilight War, the P3 still saw extensive use – though they did tend to break down a lot.  They were by no means one of the preferred vehicles, but they were often better than no vehicle at all.

Robur Garant 30K

     Notes: Pretty much no longer used by anyone, the Garant 30K (and its diesel-powered sister, the Garant 32) are now mostly museum and collectors’ pieces.  They were built from 1953-62 in then-East Germany, replacing an older light truck.  Both 4x4 and 4x2 versions were built, with both single and dual rear wheels.  They could have fully-enclosed steel cabs or open-topped cabs.  In all cases, the rear cargo area has slat wooden sides with removable bows and a canvas tilt.  They were often used to tow artillery in East German Army service, and an ambulance version was built in small numbers. The Garant 32 used a diesel engine of the same power as the gasoline engine, but was otherwise identical. The Garant 30K series had a number of niggling problems, such as the spark plugs which could be accessed only by removing the air duct assembly, and difficulty accessing common maintenance items. The original engines developed 54 horsepower, but this was later increased to 60 horsepower. Note that if the

     The LWB version was also used as the basis for the SK-1 armored car.  After their East German Army service, they were passed on to the East German Workers’ Militia, but by the time of re-unification, even they weren’t using these trucks, and they were not exported.

Robur LO-1800A

     Notes: This light truck series replaced the Garant 30K, entering production in 1961 and used by then-East Germany, Poland, and Hungary.  After re-unification, most of these trucks were scrapped or sold off to civilians, with some also ending up in museums and in the hands of collectors.  The first version, the LO-1800A, had a forward control cab which tipped forward for access to the engine and transmission.  The cab was built of steel, and on the right side of the cab’s roof was an observation hatch (without a weapon mount).  The rear cargo area is basically standard for such a truck, with a canvas tilt over removable bows, and a tailgate.  The LO-1800A had a 4x4 suspension with two wheels per axle and a spare tire under the frame. 

     The LO-1800A was replaced in production in 1968 by the LO-1801A.  This version is powered by an LO4 70-horsepower gasoline engine. The LO-1801A version has an LO4/1 engine of the same horsepower as the LO-1800A, but is easier to maintain.  This new engine is of a somewhat different shape and therefore the shape of the cab has also changed.  The LO-1801A also is equipped with a front-mounted 5-ton-capacity winch, and a better suspension.  In 1972, the LO-1801A itself was replaced in production by the LO-2002A; this version looks basically the same as the LO-1801A, but has a slightly more powerful and lighter LO4/2 75-horsepower engine and a beefed-up suspension which enables a cargo-carrying increase.  The transmissions in all three cases are manual. Note that cross country, the LO-1800A and LO-1801A can haul 2.5 tons, and the LO-2002A can haul 2.9 tons on roads. All three can tow 2.1 tons cross country or 3 tons on roads.

     Some of the variants of these trucks include various van-body types and shelter carriers for use from anything from command posts to maintenance vehicles.  One version mounted a water purification unit in the rear.  The most unusual variant mounted the DA-66 decontamination shower system, used to decontaminate personnel and their equipment after radiological or chemical exposure.  This variant has a shower unit with a heater able to heat the shower water to scalding levels, and a tent in which to mount the shower as well as separate sections for contaminated personnel to undress and decontaminated personnel to dress again.  Though there is space in the truck to roll the tent up and store it, in practice the tent was normally carried in a small trailer towed by the truck; this trailer also contained stowage boxes for uncontaminated uniforms and replacement MOPP suits, as well as additional soaps and solvents for decontamination.  These versions will not otherwise be detailed here.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Despite their age, all three of these trucks were still in fairly common use by the Polish and Hungarians in the Twilight War.  In Poland, they were mostly issued to reserve and local militia units, while in Hungary, they were often still found in front-line units.  The Germans also used some of these trucks, mostly to replace combat losses.

Unimog Light Trucks

     Notes: This is a 4x4 medium truck built by Germany and used by many nations in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and Europe.  They are license-produced in Argentina, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, and Turkey.  The layout is conventional, with an engine up front, a cab behind it, and a rear cargo area covered with a canvas top.  The cab features a hydraulically suspended driver’s seat that is also adjustable. The frame and chassis are basically extended versions of each other and have a high commonality of parts. The cargo area has a drop tailgate and drop sides.  The axles have differential locks and semi-independent suspension. The Unimog series is known for its excellent cross-country ability despite its 4x4 suspension, and they have a 2-ton-capacity winch for extraction if the vehicle becomes stuck.  The steering and brakes are power assisted.

     The three Unimogs have different engines.  The U-100L has an OM602 diesel developing 115 horsepower. The U-600L is powered by an OM616 diesel developing 66 horsepower.  The U1300L has an OM352 diesel developing 130 horsepower.

VW 181

     Notes: This is basically an updated version of the World War 2 Kubelwagen.  Like many VW vehicles of the period, the 181 has a trunk in the front of the car and the engine under the floor at the back.  The body is sheet steel over steel tubes and the top folds down; a removable fiberglass hard top is optional.  The rear seats may also be folded down to increase the cargo space.  There is post behind the front seats for a weapon.  The suspension is 4x2, and the VW 181 was also available in civilian versions in several countries, under names such as the Thing in the US, the Safari in Mexico and the Pescaccia in Italy. All four doors are removable, as is the convertible top, and the windshield folds down. The VW 181 and its civilian counterparts were built from 1968 to 1980. 2000 were built for the West German Army from 1969-70, and used into the 1990s, under the designation Pkw 0.4t.