Germany's Opel Blitz truck
Photos
Design
In the 1930s the German Army was starting to realize what a logistical nightmare it was to have over 100 vehicle types and General von Schell, director of mechanization, was tasked to reduce the amount of types and he was able to get it down to 30 types.1 In the 3 ton medium truck category the Opel Blitz was chosen.1
Engine
The engine powered the rear axle.2
Construction
The crew cab was made from pressed steel.1 When materials were harder to come by the cab was made from wood and cardboard and called Ersatz cabs.1
The body was made from wood.1
The fuel tank was located under the driver.2
Prototype
Production
By 1944 production was severely curtailed by Allied bombing.1
- Opel Blitz Typ S: 70,0001
- Opel Blitz Typ A: 25,0001
- Production: 1937 - 19441
Variants
- Opel Blitz Typ S: 4x2.1
- Opel Blitz Type 3.6-36 S: The Chevrolet commercial version.2
- Opel Blitz Type 3.6-36 S (army model): Modified to meet German military requirements.2
- Opel Blitz Type 3.6-47: Chassis was longer.2
- Opel Blitz Typ A, Allrad; Opel Blitz Type 6700 A: 4x4.1,2 Wheelbase was shortened by 5.9" / 15 cm.1 The transfer gear had a selector for road and cross country.2
Usage
The uses of the Blitz were wide and varied:
- Ambulance1
- Clothes Laundry1
- Command Post1
- Fuel tanker1
- Mobile lab1
- Radio1
- Workshop1
Specifications
| Opel Blitz | |
|---|---|
| Crew | |
| Passengers | |
| Radio | |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight - Empty | 4,630 lb1 2,100 kg1 |
| Weight - Payload | 7,253 lb1 3,290 kg1 |
| Length | 19' 9"1 6.02 m1 |
| Height | 7' 1.6"1 2.175 m1 |
| Width | 7' 5.2"1 2.265 m1 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Armament | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Opel1, O.H.V.2 |
| Bore / stroke | |
| Cooling | Water2 |
| Cylinders | 61, I-62 |
| Capacity | 219.6 cubic inches2 3.6 liters2 |
| Net HP | 682, 73.51 |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | |
| Transmission (Type) | 5 forward2, 1 reverse2 10 forward1 |
| Steering | |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | |
| Electrical system | |
| Ignition | |
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline1 |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | 21.6 gallons2 |
| Road consumption | |
| Cross country consumption | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | |
| Speed - Road | 50 mph1 80 kph1 |
| Speed - Cross Country | |
| Range - Road | 255 miles1 410 km1 |
| Range - Cross Country | |
| Turning radius | |
| Fording depth | |
| Trench crossing | |
| Vertical obstacle | |
| Climbing ability | |
| Suspension (Type) | |
| Wheels each side | 31 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- U.S. War Department Handbook on German Military Forces, 1945
