Opel Blitz is probably one of the most famous trucks during World War II. The car is famous because it was massive. They knew this car in the USSR. There was a four-wheel drive version. But they knew less about it, although this is one of the most advanced trucks of the time.
The very first Opel Blitz trucks mined as trophies naturally aroused genuine interest in everyone. The car was interesting not only because until the end of 1941 any trophies obtained by the Soviet army looked very rare - most often, soldiers on retreat gave their vehicles and other equipment to opponents. The products of the German automobile industry could surprise - the cars were much more perfect. 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 in 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, they did not care at all about the Reichswehr - then the German army was not yet distinguished by either force or material support. Germany urgently needed inexpensive, reliable and durable trucks.
Commercial vehicles are now rarely called by their proper names. In those years, this approach was completely new. Moreover, “Lightning” (which is exactly what “Blitz” is translated) would have suited more to a sports car or military fighter. But the car "Opel Blitz (Lightning)" was quite peaceful.
But in 1935 the situation changed, as times changed for the German automaker. It was this year in Brandenburg that they finished building a modern plant, where it was planned to produce only trucks. Now the Reich needed these machines as much as possible. A truck with a capacity of 3 tons stood out. He was born in the 37th.
Features and specifications
This car at that time was considered perfection. The cabin, designed for three people, looked pretty nice. The Germans used a six-cylinder 3.6-liter unit, which produced 75 hp, as an engine. Exactly the same unit was then installed on the passenger flagship model from the German brand.
A five-speed manual gearbox and a single-plate dry clutch were added to the engine in couple. The machine was equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers. On a flat highway, the Opel Blitz with such a power unit could accelerate to 90 km / h, so that it would be a very high speed for that time. Fuel consumption ranged from 25 to 36 liters per 100 km.
These models will subsequently become very popular in the Wehrmacht. However, along with a four-wheel drive car, an all-wheel drive truck was very necessary. Military invasions and campaigns were to take place in many parts of the world - they are all different. Naturally, there, where the Reich army went, there were no roads.
The basic rear-wheel drive version with a carrying capacity of 3.3 tons had a total maximum weight of 5800 kg. They released it from 37 to 44 years. The car had a wheelbase of 3600 mm, and the curb weight of the truck was 2500 kg. The car was equipped with a single 82 liter fuel tank. The truck also had every opportunity to tow a trailer weighing two tons.
Since the year 40, in parallel with the single-drive version, the all-wheel drive model has been launched. Here, in addition to the five-speed transmission, a two-stage transfer case was installed.
Engine
The power unit produced 75 horsepower with a volume of 3.6 liters. This engine was previously installed on the Admiral passenger cars, and this was the usual practice for the company. The maximum torque of the motor was manifested 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 made of gray cast iron.
The compression ratio of this engine was also quite "passenger". For efficient operation, the engine had to consume only high-quality fuel. This completely ruled out the possibility of using captured fuel in the East.
For this reason, in January 1942, 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
Specialists-historians studying the German automotive industry during the war, argued that the "Opel Blitz" Wehrmacht with all-wheel drive (designed in the 38th year) was not created at all for the needs of the army. Believe it is very difficult. The car is more than necessary and the Wehrmacht, and the SS. The Reich had huge plans. And to whom, if not the Opel company, to design and build such a machine.
The base in comparison with the single-drive model has become a little shorter. The standard truck has a base of 3600 mm. The cab along with the motor is shifted back. The clearance was left the same as it was. It is equal to 225 millimeters. For a cross-country truck, this is not much. Rear mounted gable wheels. Due to the good traction, the truck could overcome the climbs of 40 degrees.
As already noted, a transfer box was added to the transmission system. Its gear ratio is 1: 1.93. At the same time, switching from the upper row of gears to the lower one was possible even on the go - you just need to use the double clutch release. For those years, such a design was rare.
Four-wheel drive means increased cross-country ability and more off-road capabilities. But these advantages are achieved by considerable victims. So, increased cross-country ability, and with it increased fuel consumption. According to passport data, the Opel Blitz truck was supposed to consume up to 40 liters. fuel in conditions of movement where there are no roads. But I must say that where German soldiers drove these cars, fuel consumption was not at all important. The maximum speed of the car on the highway reached 85 km / h.
Tests have shown that this truck model does its job well. And so, in 1940, the car was launched in a series. The first tests on the share of this light truck fell in the 41st year. The car was tested in Africa - trucks purchased for service in the buildings of Rommel.
Hardships and hardships
The all-wheel drive version of the Opel Blitz (see photo in our article) turned out to be noticeably better than the planned blitzkrieg. The war for Germany, and for the whole world, has turned into a huge bloody tragedy. She tested not only people, but also equipment, including cars.
And let the
German cars were perfect, but in the fall of 1941 they literally drowned in Russian mud. In winter, the engines were tested in Russian frosts so that they completely stopped starting up. 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.
A variety of models of metal and wooden bodies with sides of different heights, equipped with tents, benches and other devices were installed on the truck chassis. Based on the platform, various modifications were created. The model "Opel Blitz" was very versatile.
Wounded truck
The German company Maisen installed a rounded ambulance on the truck platform, in which the wounded were transported and operating and field laboratories were placed in them.
The company also produced universal and fire trucks. As a basic model, a car pump built on a rear-wheel drive platform was used. A fire tank was created on an all-wheel drive base.
W39 bus
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 came with an all-metal body. Inside could fit 30-32 people. These cars were produced from 39 to 44 years. The model was intended for transportation of officers for sanitary purposes.
In these buses equipped headquarters, printing houses. The truck could reach the same speed as the base model. Fuel consumption was at least thirty liters per hundred kilometers.
Modification "Mule"
From 42 to 44 years old, on the basis of a full-fledged chassis, Opel produced about four thousand half-track tractor trucks. You can see one of the models in the photo below.
The modification used lightweight engines. The license was purchased before the war. The truck was equipped with track 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 "Kleckner-Deutz." The mass of the car was almost six thousand kilograms, and 100 liters of fuel were needed per 100 kilometers. The speed at which the truck was able to accelerate was not more than 38 kilometers per hour (due to the high curb weight).
Today you can buy "Opel Blitz (Mule)" 1:35. This is a reduced accurate model. It will be interesting to those who are fond of military and automotive history. Other modifications were created on the basis of the chassis, however - these are the most basic of them and the most famous.
"Blitz" after the war
In the summer of 1944, after active bombing, the two main Opel plants were destroyed. The production of these trucks was decided to be transferred to the Daimler-Benz plants. After the war, all equipment was taken to the USSR, and Opel, with the help of the Americans, began to restore production and continued to produce these trucks.
In a few years, the Opel Bedford Blitz will be released, which will have good technical specifications and equipment. But this is a completely different story.
Conclusion
So, we found out the history of the truck "Opel Blitz". The German "Lightning" is an analogue of the Gorky "one and a half". However, our Soviet technology was much more hardy. Cargo "Opel" refused to start in severe frosts and easily sank "on the belly" because of the 22-cm clearance. To date, these machines can only be seen as a museum exhibit or smaller models in private collections.