What was the Volkswagen Type 166 Schwimmwagen?

The Volkswagen Type 166 Schwimmwagen was one of the most remarkable vehicles developed during WW2. It was an amphibious 4×4 designed by the same man who would later design the Porsche 356 and the Porsche 550, and who had significant input into the design of the Porsche 911 – Erwin Komenda.

What are the different types of Schwimmwagens?

There were two main versions of the Schwimmwagen built, the Type 128 and the Type 166. The Type 128 came first, it was essentially a production prototype of sorts and it had a few significant issues which were rectified in the Type 166.

When did the first Schwimmwagen come out?

On November 1, 1940, the prototype Schwimmwagen was ready to be tested by the Army Weapons Office. The rigorous trials, on the Autobahn, secondary roads, cross-country, and in the water transport role for which it was primarily designed, lasted until December 6.

When was the first Type 166 tank made?

The first Type 166 was tested at the Max Eyth Reservoir outside Stuttgart in March 1942, with acceptance by the High Command of the Army (OKW) Weapons Office given on May 29. On June 6, 1942, exactly two years before D-day in Normandy, the initial batch of completed Type 166 models rolled off the assembly lines.