Tnx Mike
I think the toolbox seats might do for a panzerpionier company.
W

Announcement of Dragon's new Opel Blitz (2x4) ambulance truck is here on Armorama:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/260646

Working on my Blitz Command/Comms Bus from Roden - very nice kit. Here I have added additional figures and radios from other manufactures to flesh out the interior.

Details:

Scratch built Generator Trailer.




Added proper "C" channel framing to underbody.






Additional floor supports added'


Roof rack shortened. Crates and gas cans added to roof rack.


"Duck Boards" down center aisle.

Verlinden battery and other assorted engine details: gauges, horn, dip stick and voltage regulator added to firewall.


Interior body framing added.


Ceiling trim, hat racks, air vents and overhead lighting added.

Just found this thread...
I’m finishing up on Dragon’s Opel ambulance (what a great kit) so I hope that I can find some nice pics and info here.
Dan

Have found interior photos of the Opel bus ambulance but very few of the truck ambulance.

Frenchy, any chance you can help us out on this?

where does the spare tire go on a Opel Blitz with a Einheitskabine?
Thanks, Dan

Usually between the frame members behind the rear axle. If you are doing the Opel Blitz bus without the side mounted tire up by the driver, then it should also be under the frame at the rear.

Thanks, I’m doing Dragon’s latest opel ambulance and the wheel won’t fit in it’s normal place without hitting the bottom of the box body.
Dan

It goes below the frame rather than above it. Also the tire is too wide to go between the frame members.

p.s. Again regarding the bus, if you are using the side mounted spare that rear cross member that is used to mount the spare underneath the rear frame should be removed altogether.

p.p.s. Regarding that rear mounted spare on the Blitz - I often just mount the rim and not the whole tire for a little bit of additional visual interest. Thinking of the later war rubber shortage and the hard use these trucks endured.

I don't know how the other model companies form their tires/rims but given that the Italeri model uses actual rubber tires, their wheel rim looks correct without the tire mounted.

Thanks, I’ll try that out.
Dan

Here is a Blitz 4x4 frame I converted that also illustrates the spare tire mount (minus the tire!)







I used the transfer case and axles from the old Italeri Chevy CMP truck kit for this conversion, though the CMP axles had to be narrowed slightly. (General Motors owned Opel before and after the war so it is reasonable to think that their designs would be similar.)

Have you built a Dragon Opel?
They are sublime.
D

I almost always buy the Italeri Opel Blitz and CCKW Water trucks whenever I see them at the hobby shows, therefore my stash always has one or more in reserve. I have therefore never had the chance to experience the newer kits.

[quote]It goes below the frame rather than above it. Also the tire is too wide to go between the frame members.

p.s. Again regarding the bus, if you are using the side mounted spare that rear cross member that is used to mount the spare underneath the rear frame should be removed altogether.[/quote
well, I tried this, but the driveshaft is in the way.
Dan

We are talking about the area behind the rear differential here!

I am beginning to think you are pulling my leg.

Man how rude!
The spare on the Dragon kit mounts on top of the frame in the middle. On the kit there is no room at the rear to mount it.

Not trying to be rude, not at all, but I had the definite feeling we were looking at two different things and not on the same page with each other, hence the "pulling my leg" remark.

I have done a fair amount of research on the subject and had my hands on 6 - 7 different actual Blitz restorations. I personally have never seen an Opel Blitz (real or model) with the spare mounted above the frame. Apparently Dragon's reference says there was one and that is what they patterned their model by.

You and I have been talking/comparing apples to oranges.

If I should come across a vehicle as you describe I will certainly be back to report the finding.

Perhaps Frenchy could help with this question.

Well after a relatively brief online search I found two reference photos that prove you to be right and me to be wrong.

The low cargo bed should look like this. (see
www.pietvanhees.nl/mb/ for the rest of the story. )

Front & rear axle on Opel Blitz 4x4:





4x4 rear axle was also used on late-production 4x2 by Opel (the steel cabbed one with higher roof + rear wooden wall) and also on the Mercedes L701 (including the postwar version with revised steel cab):

Thanks Javier for the absolutely beautiful axle photos of the Blitz.

As I have said elsewhere I used the axles and transfer case from the old Chevy CMP to build my 4x4 Blitz. The wheel track of the CMP is slightly wider than the Blitz anyway so I carefully made a vertical cut in the CMP round differential and this killed two birds with one cut. e.g. A more narrow wheel track and made for an oval rather than round differential shape.