page_title: Volkswagen Schwimmwagen
section_title: Technology
hierarchical_section_title: Volkswagen Schwimmwagen / Technology
caption_attribution_description: English: With aftermarket turn signal switch and fire extinguisher. This Schwimmwagen is in Brazil since the 50s.
context_page_description: The VW Type 128 and 166 Schwimmwagen were amphibious four-wheel drive off-roaders, used extensively by German ground forces during the Second World War. The Type 166 is the most numerous mass-produced amphibious car in history.
context_section_description: All Schwimmwagen were four wheel drive only on first gear (and reverse gears with some models) and had ZF self-locking differentials on the front and rear axles. Just like the Kübelwagen, the Schwimmwagen  had portal gear rear hubs that gave better ground clearance, while at the same time reducing drive-line torque stresses with their gear reduction at the wheels. The Schwimmwagen could go up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) on land.
  When crossing a body of water a screw propeller could be lowered down from the rear deck/engine cover. When in place a simple coupling provided drive straight from an extension of the engine's crankshaft. This meant that screw propulsion always drove forward. The Schwimmwagen could go up to 10 km/h (6 mph) in the water. For reversing in the water there was the choice of using the standard equipment paddle or running the land drive in reverse, allowing the wheel-rotation to slowly take the vehicle back. The front wheels doubled up as rudders, so steering was done with the steering wheel both on land and on water. For steering the Schwimmwagen the personnel inside the schwimmwagen could also use the aforementioned paddles.
caption: Spartan interior of the Schwimmwagen
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