One of my favorite vehicles of WW2 is the German Kettenkrad. I think it’s one of the coolest vehicles ever designed. I recently was given a Dragon model Kettenkrad for my birthday. I can’t wait to build it! (of course, I have other models already in line[;)])
I was reading Finescale Modeler when I came across a beautiflly built one in the show gallery. I was wondering if anyone had any good pictures of kettenkrads (models or real ones). I want some ideas.[:)]
Good luck on the tracks when you start it
heres a good site http://www.kettenkrad.de/indexe.htm
Jon, Do you have sites for everything?? Amazing! And thanks!!
I’ve said it before, Jon plays more links than Tiger Woods. LOL
I think i saw the one, was i the kettenkrad that was all old and rusty, destroyed? That is definetly a nice model!
I was impressed with that one. Can’t say I have the same opinon for the little thing as you though. I have my history with one.
Heres the one I built though. http://lizardsworkshop.50megs.com/ketten.html
Devon;
Did you get the Kettenkrad with the Puppchen or the FeldKable? I’ve got the one with the Puppchen and it looks like a terrific kit. I read a review that says the tracks can actually be made workable, if assembled carefully! The 5 or so links I assembled definately aren’t workable! I’ll have to be more careful when I start building it.
Good luck with you model, and a big W E L C O M E to the forum!! Glad to have you aboard!
What a great site, thanks cap’n. I have the Dragon kit mit FeldKable, but it’s far down the queue.
Besides you guys keep scaring me about the tracks.
ausf;
No need to be scared by those tracks…terrified is more like it!! lol
Not really…just LOTS of patience, and maybe a magnifying headset.
If you guys are worried about the tracks, get the tamiya kit. the tracks are already around the roadwheels.
I was in the mood for a quickie build and saw this thread. Since I have the Tamiya Kettenkrad I figured I’d get all jazzed up and build it this weekend.
Sat down and cracked the box open a couple of hours ago and that OCD thing kicked in. So foar I’ve scratch built a new set of handlebars and hand grips, made suspension springs for the front end, started detailing the engine compartment and now I’m fiddling with the fender. I stripped off the detail and I’m going to hollow it out so it looks like a real fender.
So much for the weekend build.
But its going to be a fun one. The sight that Captain Caveman linked was real handy too. If you can find it, the book “German Motorcycles, World War II-solo machines, Combinations, Kettenkraftrad” by Tony Oliver is very good and has plenty of detail and in use pics.
Mike
Found a very cool site. Shows a slew of restoration photos and details.
An eyecatcher! Who wouldnt want one even just to go to the supermarket? [}:)]
I was able to check one out in person and took a couple pictures. You know when I look at this picture I see people in the background. More than anything I notice the old man that has has hand on the kettenkrad and has a look as if memories are coming to him…
I always thank our heroes for their service!
What amazes me is the number that are still around. Evidently they were rather popular after the war and fulfilled a variety of roles as peace time workhorses.
Mike
There are two configurations for the mounting of the handlebars on the real kettens. One is attached to the upright column forward of the steering dampener (the black knob over the handlebars) and one version with the handlebars rear of the steering dampener. The Tamiya kit is configured this way. I’m curious how the Dragon kit is configured.
BTW the front wheel is only used for added steering control and stability during tight turns and higher speeds. Evidently it steers just fine without a wheel. The original manual advises that the wheel be removed over rough terrain to make it easier (since this is done at lower speeds anyway).
There is a photo in the Oliver book that shows a regular spoked motorcycle wheel used as a replacement for the stamped steel rimmed.
Mike
heres some progress pics of my “weekend build” HA![:p]
The copper wire will go to the headlight and is attached to the thumb switch next to the hand grips. The fender was removed to work on and is done. I want to mount it later after I paint the suspension springs and fork assembly.
The rough out of the engine detail and the floor pan. I drilled the vent holes and cleaned up the linkage cut outs. I thought about hollowing out the spaces under the wooden floor mats but I think I’ll just paint it and leave it. Even I can say that would be too much on this one.
Nice work Mike, your patience for detail amazes me.
Nicely done so far Mike !!!
Super detailing happening there.