was hidden, and the classic radiator with its distinctive logo, immediately reminded one of its predecessor, the famous "Blitz". Inside the cabin were several rows of seats which could be easily demounted if necessary (transportation of bulk goods, medical equipment, etc.). Series production of the bus, officially designated the Opel 3.6-47 type W39, started in the second half of 1939, almost at the same time as the invasion of Poland by Germany and the start of WWII. At first, the number of vehicles produced per month was very small, but already in 1940 about one hundred units per month off were coming off the production line in Essen. Series production lasted until mid-1943, when the situation became worse for Germany at the Front, basic industrial materials were in short supply, and as a result, Ludewig had to seriously simplify the structure of the bus. During this period 2,880 units of the early version were produced overall, which were sent both to the Eastern Front in Russia, and to the Afrika Corps of General Rommel in North Africa.Opel Blitz bus in transport...She worked on virtually all fronts...Opel Bus in Afrika .....and in the Russian front. A Stalinetz S-65 tractor (captured)tugging a stucked bus. A good idea for a diorama.. In addition to its main purpose - the conveyance of Wehrmacht officers - buses had to perform various other functions such as those of mobile headquarters, telephone exchange and radio station, mobile bakery and laundry, etc. Special note should be made of their role in transporting wounded from battlefield to hospital - rows of seats were removed and in their place several stretchers with wounded could be easily brought through the back door that opened into the interior, thus leaving space free for the installation of medical equipment.Opel Blitz bus as command vehicleOpel Blitz bus in transport dutiesOpel Blitz bus with generator trailerOpel Blitz bus kitchenOpel Blitz bus ambulance Opel Blitz 3.6-47 buses were used by the army until the very end of the war, but immediately afterwards they quickly disappeared, giving way to more modern developments of the Opel concern during the early postwar years.(font: Roden)Opel Blitz bus with cammo, in 1944. A great site to learn more about Opel's bus is the Piet van Hees page. Specs:Opel Blitz busTypepersonal transport vehiclePlace of originGermany - 8.336 madeSpecificationsWeight2 t (bare weight) 6.0 t (total)Length7.356 mmWidth2,248 mm Height2,481 mmCrewdriver + 28 men or 5 wounded with medical assistanceWheelbase4.65mGearbox5 speed gearbox with low noise 4th and 5th gear, middle shiftingTires190x20 (rear double 4x2)EngineOpel 6-cylinder 3.625 cc75 Hp at 3200 rpmSuspensionfront: semi-elliptic, 10 leaf-spring suspension, forged I-profile with shock absorbers.rear: semi-elliptic, 12 leaf-spring with shock absorbers.SpeedEletric90 km/h6 Volt, 12 Volt from 1942The kits: Like the Early project, I used the same brands (Roden and Verlinden) but different versions of models. Verlinden and Roden, togheter again....Roden is the late version (#808) andVerlinden is the Panzerwerk Repair Shop (#2778)Roden box art - Amazing how the boxes are balanced without falling(see the bottom right corner of the drawing ...) and the front left wheel soo weird! Starting the building. the