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VW 181 in "Feldjäger" service, fitted with radio equipment and traffic warning system
Photo: Hartmuth Oelckers
 Lkw 0,25t gl 4x4 "Munga" (1956-1968)
The VW Typ 181 was procured by the German military between Fall of 1969 and December 1979 in the amount of 15,275 vehicles. The offical German military designation for the VW 181
was "PKW 0,4 t tmil 4x2" (Motor Car 0.4 ton partialy militarized 4x2). This vehicle was also
known as "Kurierwagen" or "Kübelwagen". This partially off-road capable vehicle was intended
as an interim solution for the replacement of the aging fleet of 4-wheel drive Lkw 0,25t gl 4x4
Munga manufactured by Auto-Union. The Munga was delivered to forces between 1956 and
1968. Its replacement should have been the "Europa-Jeep", which was to be produced by
France, Germany and Italy. Between 1962 and 1975, three groups of manufacturers developed
for this program. The project was finally scrapped, after France in '72 and Italy in '75 retracted
their intentions for the "Europa-Jeep".
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In early 1976 the German government contacted VW to produce a replacement vehicle on the base of the Munga. Between 1978-81, VW produced 8,800 vehicles of the Lkw 0,5t gl 4x4, -also named Iltis, for the German military. The VW Typ181 however stayed in the forces for some time longer, and as of 1999 single pieces were still in service at a few units.
 Prototype of VW 181 during troup-trials. Note the single stiffening rib under the doors. Two variations of the Type 181 were in use with the West-German military. Variation 1 was the basic vehicle PKW 0,4 t tmil 4x2. Variation 2, PKW 0,4t FJ tmil 4x2 was used for Feldjäger" Military Police units. This version was equipped with a traffic warning system. Vehicles of both versions could be fitted with radio equipment. Both the German SEM 25/35 and American AN/VRC-8 radio equipment was installed in the VW 181.
 PKW 0,4t FJ tmil 4x2 in Feldjäger service with radio equipment |
 PKW 0,4t tmil 4x2 
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 PKW 0,4t FJ tmil 4x2 With Traffic Warning System 
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 Tactical symbol on front hood |
 Rifle in rear rifle mount |
Copyright © 2001 by Dirk Grosser
