the 1/72 Hasegawa plastic model kit is quite old and known, but a 1/18 metal model kit by Signature Models was recently made available and seemed to be gorgeous (last three pictures).
57 6x6-wheel Mercedes-Benz W31-G4 and variations) were produced, amongst them less than a dozen used by Hitler motorcade.
At least 7 exist today :
- at least one blue model is currently owned by a Russian collector (RU) ["1A - 148461"]. The German collection of said 6 "similar rare models (?)" was bought in full by the Russian collector.
- one at the Auto & Technik Museum of Sinsheim (DE) ["1 A - 100 22"] said to me from Hitler motorcade (pic 1 below) ;
- one at the Lyon Air Museum (US) ["1A 67510"] said to me from Hitler motorcade (pic 2 below);
- one that was offered by Hitler to Franco is in the possession of the Spanish Army/Government (ES) ["M - 4200 - AD"] (pics 3 & 4 below);
- one blue model (showed by Owen) that was partly rebuilt by Ralph Engelstadt (Imperial Palace hotel and casino from Las Vegas) then owned by the Kruse International company, then i suspect owned by a private collector (US) ["WH - 32288"];
- one radio model, partly rebuilt by Ralph Engelstadt (Imperial Palace hotel and casino from Las Vegas) then owned by the Kruse International company, current location unknown;
- one luggage model, partly rebuilt by Ralph Engelstadt (Imperial Palace hotel and casino from Las Vegas) then owned by the Kruse International company, current location unknown. This model was used in various Hollywood production, including Hogan's Heroes (General Burkhalter car);
There is a similar blue one on display at the Colling’s Foundation’s newly opened American Heritage Museum (featuring the Jacques Littlefield collection) in Massachusetts.
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