Question on the "Strassenzeppelin" bus

[ilfil]

Hi all!
My question is on this futuristic design of Ludewig Bros, based on Opel Blitz bus chassis:





AFAIK only 3 were built in 1936 and used for propaganda purposes during the Olympiade and later, one was displayed on Berlin Automotive show in 1937. Also another 5 or 6 were built for "ODI", a tour operator also based in Essen.
I was told at least one of those was used in the Luftwaffe, repainted in grey. I was also told a picture of it exists, taken on some airfield with Henkels He 51 in the background. Does somebody here knows about such picture?
TIA!

[Piotr Mikołajski]

I guess your question was initiated by recent release of the 1/72 scale kit by Roden? http://www.roden.eu/HTML/725.htm

[ilfil]

Absolutely right, Piotr.
I have no choice than to ask here. In a Russian forum we're arguing with one of Roden employees about the doubtful (for me at least) military use of this thing made of aluminium. He wrote there about that Luftwaffe picture but for unknown reasons refused to post it, or to tell where it can be found at least. The same for the new kit parts, it is still impossible to see any preview in the Internet. Pity, I'm too curious to see how they managed to render the unusual bus interior. And little strange in the same time, he swore the first 1000 produced were sent over the world about 10 days ago!
So again: is that picture known to somebody here?

[MadderCat]

hi there

the only picture I know of is the second variant from Roden, the Opel “Aero”
which could be found here:
http://www.pietvanhees.nl/blitzbus/index.htm ->click on "Ludewig Company"

of the variant in questions I've not seen any picture in Wehrmacht livery until now, but perhaps it exists...we will see


regards

Stefan

[Clive Mortimore]

hi there

the only picture I know of is the second variant from Roden, the Opel “Aero”
which could be found here:
http://www.pietvanhees.nl/blitzbus/index.htm ->click on "Ludewig Company"

of the variant in questions I've not seen any picture in Wehrmacht livery until now, but perhaps it exists...we will see


regards

Stefan

Hi Stefan

Thanks for the link, the site is very informative and I enjoyed vsiting it.

Clive

[Piotr Mikołajski]

And little strange in the same time, he swore the first 1000 produced were sent over the world about 10 days ago!

I can confirm that, one of Polish distributor informed me that they started selling on 30th April.

Pity, I'm too curious to see how they managed to render the unusual bus interior.

I hope that they followed layout which was posted on this thread on ACE Model forum.

Unfortunately I have no photos of "Straßenzepp" Blitz in Luftwaffe markings. Maybe it was published in one of He 51 monographies?

[ilfil]

I hope that they followed layout which was posted on this thread on ACE Model forum.
Unfortunately I have no photos of "Straßenzepp" Blitz in Luftwaffe markings. Maybe it was published in one of He 51 monographies?

Sorry if it sounds offending, Piotr, but it was laugh to see you returned me to one of my posts in that Russian forum
Note I posted the article from the"Popular Mechanics" magazine with the interior sketch AFTER the kit was launched (according to that Roden employee statement). I guess there is something wrong with the kit, could it be the interior? Why Roden refuses to show the kit frames? I hope I'm not right. On the other hand, if I got the things right (and I dare to say I got them right for my Russian is fluent) the new Strassenzeppelin kit comes with the same wheels as in the previous W39 bus kit. If really so, you have to agree this is everything but correct!
I have to admit your idea to search in the books on He 51 isn't bad at all, I'll look around for some Luftwaffe fan to ask. Thanks for the hint!
Cheers!

[ilfil]

I'm really thankful to the Poles, I guessed right they will be the first to show the parts of the kit, see here:
http://www.jadarhobby.pl/roden-725-opel ... 28623.html
I see the wheels are reworked and I'm glad I wasn't right about them. I still insist my Russian is good but that Roden chap didn't make the things clear enough. Pity the kit instruction sheet isn't shown, I'm still curious to see the interior arrangement.
In general the kit doesn't look bad on those previews but the main problem remains. Was this bus really used in the Luftwaffe? I'm not much interested in civilian vehicles, that's it.

[Piotr Mikołajski]

Sorry if it sounds offending, Piotr, but it was laugh to see you returned me to one of my posts in that Russian forum

ROTFL, in fact I find it very ironic and very funny
I didn't knew that you are "the trucker" from ACE forum. And world is really very small. But thanks for that post, I think that drawing of interior layout will be very helpful.

I still insist my Russian is good but that Roden chap didn't make the things clear enough.

I guess he isn't allowed to reveal such information.

In general the kit doesn't look bad on those previews but the main problem remains. Was this bus really used in the Luftwaffe? I'm not much interested in civilian vehicles, that's it.

This kit lacks a lot of decals to be build straight from the box and I find it dissapointing. But overall seems to be much better than I could except. Unfortunately I didn't found any photo of He 51 with buses.

[ilfil]

I guess he isn't allowed to reveal such information.

Sorry, I cannot agree with you here. What could be still secret AFTER the kit is launched?

[Piotr Mikołajski]

What could be still secret AFTER the kit is launched?

This one was launched but it's possible that Roden prepares separate kit with Luftwaffe variant / markings. And revealing any information without permission from the boss can be seen as breaking the rules and revealing internal information.

[ilfil]

This one was launched but it's possible that Roden prepares separate kit with Luftwaffe variant / markings. And revealing any information without permission from the boss can be seen as breaking the rules and revealing internal information.

Yes, Piotr, it isn't only possible but they really prepare the same kit in Wehrmacht boxes, the Roden man said so. So this information isn't classified anymore too. I wonder why he refuses to post this picture in case he has it, or he claims he is aware of it at least? I've asked him to tell us where this picture could be found, the only answer till now is the sound of silence... Strange, the right tactics for me is to post this picture in as many places as they can, using it for appetizer for the future kit. I guess the Luftwaffe version will be launched till the end of June the worst, and maybe much earlier. In fact all they need is new boxes and decals. No need even to change the instructions, I see the painting guide is on the box rear.
BTW, this week I received many letters from different places of this small world, as you said. Written by different people with different modelling preferences but the essential is the same: "I've never purchase this thing in case it wasn't used in the Wehrmaht". That's why this mysterious picture is so important. Try to explain it to Roden if you can, I failed.

[Piotr Mikołajski]

Well... publication such photo allow someone to prepare Wehrmacht / Luftwaffe decals for this kit. It means that they will not be able to sell enough number of proper kits released in June or July. From manufacturers point of view it's quite easy to imagine and understand. But of course I would like to see such photo right now.

[SIS 5]

Hi,

maybe it´s interesting for You: a drawing and a pic of the interior of such a futuristic bus with the bodywork of Ludewig with the name "Aero" on a chassis of the Opel truck type "Blitz 2,5 t". Year of production: 1934. Source of the pics and information: "Der Autobahn-Schnellverkehr der deutschen Reichsbahn" by Volkhard Stern.

Regards

Bert

[SIS 5]

Hi,

after searching a while I could find a pic of such a bus, not yet repainted, but used by the Wehrmacht for the transport of soldiers. (source of the pic: expired ebay auction).

Regards

Bert