German truck "Opel Blitz": history and characteristics

"Opel Blitz" - this is probably one of the most famous trucks during the Second World War. The machine is known because it was mass. We knew this car in the USSR. There was also an all-wheel drive version. But they knew less about it, although it is one of the most advanced trucks of that time.

The very first Opel Blitz trucks, produced in the form of trophies, naturally aroused genuine interest among all. The car was interesting not only because until the end of 1941 any trophies mined by the Soviet army looked very rare - most of the soldiers gave their vehicles and other equipment to their opponents when retreating. Products of the German car industry could surprise - the cars were much better. There were no cars like the all-wheel drive Blitz in the USSR.

Lightning

The history of the German truck "Opel Blitz" and part-time one of the main participants of the war began more than peacefully. The car began to be created in the 30th year. The company "Opel", which a year ago became the property of "General Motors", launched a series of models of trucks with a carrying capacity of one ton. In "Opel", creating this car, did not care about the Reichswehr - then the German army was not different either by force or by material support. Germany urgently needed inexpensive, yet reliable and durable trucks.

Commercial cars and now rarely called their own names. In those years, this approach was completely new. Moreover, the "Lightning" (and this is exactly what "Blitz" translates) would fit a sports car or a military fighter. But the car "Opel Blitz (Lightning)" was quite peaceful. But in 1935 the situation changed, as the times for the German automaker changed. It was this year in Brandenburg that the modern factory was built, where it was planned to produce only trucks. Now the Reich of these machines needed as much as possible. Especially distinguished truck, designed for 3 tons. He was born in the 37th.

Features and characteristics

This car at that time was considered a perfection. The cabin, designed for three people, looked quite nice. As an engine, the Germans used a six-cylinder 3.6-liter unit that produced 75 hp. Exactly the same unit was then installed on the light flagship model from the German brand.

Coupled with the engine were added a five-speed manual gearbox and a single-disk dry clutch. The machine was equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers. On the flat highway "Opel Blitz" with such a power unit could accelerate to 90 km / h, so it was very high speed for that time. The fuel consumption was from 25 to 36 liters per 100 km.

It is these models that will later become very popular in the Wehrmacht. However, along with a mono-driving car, a four-wheel-drive truck was very necessary. Military invasions and campaigns were to be held in many parts of the world - they are all different. Naturally, there, where the army of the Reich went, there was no road in sight. The basic rear-wheel-drive version with a carrying capacity of 3.3 tons had a total maximum mass of 5800 kg. Issued it from 37 to 44 years. The car had a wheelbase of 3600 mm, and the loaded weight of the truck was 2500 kg. The car was equipped with a single fuel tank of 82 liters. The truck also had all the possibilities for towing a trailer weighing two tons.

Since the year 40, in parallel with the mono-drive version, the all-wheel-drive model has also been launched. Here, in addition to the five-speed transmission, a two-stage transfer case was installed.

Engine

The power unit produced 75 horsepower of power at a volume of 3.6 liters. This engine was previously installed on passenger "Admiral", and it was a common practice for the company. The maximum torque of the engine was shown at 3120 rpm. The engine characteristics coincided with the Soviet ZIS-5, but the Germans already had a smaller volume, an aluminum crankcase, a cylinder head from gray cast iron.

The compression ratio of this motor was also quite "passenger". For effective operation, the engine should only consume high-quality fuel. This completely excluded the possibility of using trophy fuel in the East.

For this reason, in January 1942, the "Opel" began to develop a modification of the motor with a lower compression ratio. These changes brought a reduction in power to 68 horsepower. The maximum speed dropped to 80 km / h. In order for the car to have a good power reserve, the truck was equipped with a 92-liter fuel tank.

With modernization, fuel consumption also increased: the car began to consume up to 30 liters on a high-quality highway and about 40 liters in off-road conditions.

Four-wheel drive

Historians who studied the German automotive industry during the war argued that the Wehrmacht's Opel Blitz with all-wheel drive (designed in the year 38) was not designed for the needs of the army. Believe it is very difficult. The car is more than necessary for both the Wehrmacht and the SS. The Reich had huge plans. And to whom, if not the company "Opel", to design and build such a machine. The base was slightly shorter in comparison with the mono-drive model. The standard truck has a base of 3600 mm. The cab with the motor is shifted back. The ground clearance was the same as it was. It is 225 millimeters. For a truck with increased terrain, this is not much. At the back there are two wheels. Due to good traction, the truck could climb 40 degrees.

In the transmission system, as already noted, a transfer case was added. Its transmission ratio is 1: 1.93. At the same time, it was possible to switch from the top of the gears to the lower gear even on the go - you just need to use a double clutch release. For those years, this design was a rarity.

All-wheel drive means increased cross-country ability and more off-road capabilities. But these advantages are achieved by considerable sacrifices. So, increased patency, and with it increased fuel consumption. According to the passport data, the truck "Opel Blitz" was supposed to consume up to 40 liters. Fuel in conditions of movement where there are no roads. But it must be said that where the German soldiers drove on these machines, fuel consumption was not at all important. The maximum speed of the machine along the highway reached 85 km / h.

The tests carried out showed that this truck model copes well with its tasks. And so, in 1940 the car was launched into the series. The first tests for the share of this low-tonnage truck happened already in the 41st year. The car was tested in Africa - trucks purchased for service in the corps of Rommel.

Deprivation and hardship

The all-wheel drive version of Opel Blitz (see the photo in our article) was much better than the planned blitzkrieg. The war for Germany, and for the whole world, has turned into a huge bloody tragedy. She experienced not only people, but also equipment, including cars. And let the German cars were perfect, but in the autumn of 1941 they literally drowned in Russian mud. In the winter, the engines were tested by Russian frosts so that they did not start at all. In such conditions, the all-wheel drive German truck "Opel Blitz" gradually became a deficit.

Modifications

"Blitz" was widely used in almost all formations of the German army. They delivered cargo, towed guns, transported infantry.

On the chassis of the truck installed a variety of models of metal and wooden bodies with sides of different heights, complete with awnings, benches and other devices. Various modifications were made on the basis of the platform. The model "Opel Blitz" was very versatile.

Truck for transportation of the wounded

The German company Maysen installed a round sanitary body on the platform of the truck, in which the wounded were transported and operational and field laboratories were placed in them. The company also produced universal and fire trucks. As the basic model, a car pump was built, built on a rear-drive platform. A fire tank was built on the all-wheel drive base.

Bus W39

This is probably the most famous modification. You can see it in the photo below. The bus was intended for the needs of the army and went with an all-metal body. Inside could fit 30-32 people. These cars were produced from 39 to 44 year. The model was intended for transportation of officers, for sanitary purposes.

These buses were equipped with headquarters and printing houses. The truck could develop the speed the same as the base model. The fuel consumption was at least thirty liters per hundred kilometers.

Modification of "Mule"

From 42 to 44 years on the basis of the full-landing chassis "Opel" produced about four thousand semi-tracked truck-tractors. One of the models you can see in the photo below. Lightweight engines were used in the modification. The license was purchased before the war. The truck was equipped with support disc rollers, as well as a system for changing the speed of rotation of the tracks.

It was one of the most successful trucks. This model was able to take a place between similar products "Ford" and "Klöckner-Deutz". The weight of the car was almost six thousand kilograms, and 100 liters needed 50 liters of fuel. The speed at which the truck was able to accelerate was no more than 38 kilometers per hour (in view of the high curb weight).

Today you can buy "Opel Blitz (Mule)" 1:35. This is a reduced accurate model. It will be interesting for those who are fond of military and automobile history. On the basis of the chassis, other modifications were also created, however - these are the most basic of them and the most famous ones.

"Blitz" after the war

In the summer of 1944, after active bombing, the two main Opel plants collapsed. The production of these trucks was decided to be transferred to the Daimler-Benz plants. After the end of the war, all equipment was exported to the USSR, and the "Opel" with the help of the Americans engaged in the restoration of production and continued to produce these trucks.

In a few years, the Opel Bedford Blitz will be released, which will be characterized by good technical characteristics and equipment. But this is a completely different story.

Conclusion

So, we found out the history of the creation of the Opel Blitz truck. The German "Lightning" is an analog of Gorky's "half-torment". However, our Soviet technology was much more enduring. Cargo "Opel" refused to start in severe frosts and easily sat "on the belly" because of the 22-centimeter clearance. To date, these machines can only be seen as a museum exhibit or reduced models in private collections.