Funkwagen Kfz 17 with FU 11 SE 100

[Funksammler]

This link was posted earlier on the Achtnung Panzer forum. It shows a Kfz 17 in a "Propaganda Kompagnie" in action (12:50, 17:45, 21:11): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIHwuAiv8oo

Better to preserve the link in the thread as well.....

regards,

Funksammler

[ian alderman]

Left on the shelf

Hi Funksammler,

a magnificent restoration, if I may say so.

I have 2 questions for you, and if you would prefer not to answer the first, no problem.

1) What sort of sum of money would you estimate you have spent on this particular restoration?

2) None of the photos show what was going on in the rear; above the parcel shelf. Any chance of posting some please.

Many thanks in anticipation,

Ian

[Funksammler]

Here are some shots of the parcel shelf area in the rear:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC05707_zpsaae6b845.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC05707_zpsaae6b845.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC05707_zpsaae6b845.jpg"/></a>

On the left side it has a bracket to place a FF33 (which connects to the external contacts on the left side of the vehicle). I have seen one picture where a second FF33 was placed on the right side, but I suspect this was just placed there on an ad-hoc basis. Two coat hooks allow the crew to hang their jackets/helmets.

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC05693_zps9d4e6e69.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC05693_zps9d4e6e69.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC05693_zps9d4e6e69.jpg"/></a>

The left had side also has two coat hooks. Other than that the parcel shelf could be used to store the crew's personal equipment. I have not been able to discover any brackets or fastening straps so they had to take care while driving in rough terain that stuff does not go flying!

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC05694_zpsfb71600d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC05694_zpsfb71600d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC05694_zpsfb71600d.jpg"/></a>

In the centre is the rear window while along the top another shelf is placed to store the "Sternantenne".

As to the total cost, I frankly would not know. A running chassis will set you back 60 k Euro's for starters. Purchasing the many unique parts that make up a Kfz 17 has also taken a significant investment over many years. Add to that the cost of the the complete radio installation with antenna's etc. and things will quickly start to add up. That does not even consider the cost of the thousands of hours I spend on it.... I don't think anybody could do this as a commercial restoration, that is probably why recently two Kfz 17 projects in Germany failed and were sold on (probably to end up as Kfz 15's with fake Lehar bodies)....

regards,

Funksammler

[ian alderman]

Hi Funksammler,

many thanks for the prompt posting of the excellent photos and comprehensive description.

as for the financial aspect of your hobby; Hats off to you for your dedication and enthusiasm.

Once again, many thanks.

Ian

[Funksammler]

Restoring vehicles is always going to be an expensive adventure, but it is great when it all comes together!

The next week will be a busy one for the Kfz 17, I am planning to visit events and places up and down the Normandy invasion coast during the D-day commemorations. I will be making longer trips than I have done to date, so I am hoping it will be reliable and nothing will fall off! I have prepared the car as much as I could, with all oil levels and liquids topped up, battery fully charged and everything tested.

Hoping to see some of you in Normandy....

regards,

Funksammer

[Funksammler]

D-Day celebrations

The week of the 6th of June was huge event this year here in Normandy, so I took full advantage to give the Horch some good runs. It was good to meet up with some other vehicle collectors and I took part in several displays. It got quite a bit of attention with lots of folks taking pictures and asking questions. At one point a large group of Gendarmes descended on the car which made me a bit nervous, but they were just curious what it was!

Overall I drove the Horch for about 1000 km with only a few minor glitches.

At one point the engine started to lose power which reminded me of an ignition fault. The shielding of one of the HT leads to the coil had come loose, this was enough to weaken the sparks, causing the spark plugs to soot up on one bank of the engine. After fixing the shielding it took a few kilometers for the engine to come back to life, and fortunately I have had no problem since.

On my last run of the week, the valve of the inner tube of one of the tyres blew out. It must have only deflated slowly as at first nothing was apparent. After about 10 km the driveline started to feel sluggish and strange, so at first I suspect driveshaft problems. After a quick visual check under the car I could find nothing wrong and continued to drive. The car got more sluggish and increasing started to pull to one side until it seemed to loose all power. Another visual check quickly identified the problem: a very flat tyre! Changing the tyre of a Horch with the wheel weighing about 40 Kg is a pretty hard job, but I managed it in about 40 minutes. Fortunately somebody was at hand to help me lift the deflated tyre onto the spare wheel hub, which is rather high off the ground!

Crossing Pegasus Bridge:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1020727_zps164d415d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1020727_zps164d415d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1020727_zps164d415d.jpg"/></a>

One day we drove in convoy with a number of Kübels and DKW's, having a rest near Carentan:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1020784_zpsb5b2c680.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1020784_zpsb5b2c680.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1020784_zpsb5b2c680.jpg"/></a>

A nice display with another Kübel and a Blitz allrad in Vierville:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1020754_zps6823b5c5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1020754_zps6823b5c5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1020754_zps6823b5c5.jpg"/></a>

I set up the antenna using the Kurbelmast:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1020753_zps44482a38.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1020753_zps44482a38.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1020753_zps44482a38.jpg"/></a>

Another shot of the extended antenna:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1020794_zps676a0138.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1020794_zps676a0138.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1020794_zps676a0138.jpg"/></a>

Finally at la Cambe, the largest German cemetery in Normandy:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1020853_zpsf9a76a04.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1020853_zpsf9a76a04.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1020853_zpsf9a76a04.jpg"/></a>

Overall I was pretty pleased with the way the car behaved, no major issues and it proved relatively easy to drive. I must have developed a few muscles here and there, as the steering isn't exactly light. The most difficult aspect of driving the Horch is changing gear. You quickly learn to keep it in gear as much as possible and to make very slow gearchanges at low rev's. I am still practising dubble declutching on the downshift, but you need a lot of time and you realy need to think ahead. Sometimes difficult in modern traffic but I don't think I had too many queues behind me.... In fact I had no problem reaching the top speed of 90 Km/h, but it takes a long long time to get there. Cruising at 70-80 km/h is more comfortable and keeps the braking distances to a reasonable length.

So after a hard week, I gave the car some rest and TLC. I am now getting the car ready for some other long runs as I want to take the car to the Falaise pocket commemorations in August. Should be a good run!

regards,

Funksammler

[Funksammler]

Kfz 17 restoration update

It has been more than a year since I last posted an update on the second car in post #63. After a lot of work, the wooden framework of the body is now taking shape, with all the major structures in place.

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06635_zps98df45fa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06635_zps98df45fa.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06635_zps98df45fa.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06636_zpsd676b35a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06636_zpsd676b35a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06636_zpsd676b35a.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06641_zpseb8594b8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06641_zpseb8594b8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06641_zpseb8594b8.jpg"/></a>

The framework all has to be joined properly to ensure that the body will withstand the forces while driving through rough terrain. A number of metal reinforcements are put in place to ensure that the body stays togehter. These also ensure that the body can be lifted from the chassis by the four lifting hooks that will be mounted on the outside.

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06644_zpsdc6f0d78.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06644_zpsdc6f0d78.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06644_zpsdc6f0d78.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06645_zps8c302694.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06645_zps8c302694.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06645_zps8c302694.jpg"/></a>

A number of interior bulkheads provide extra stiffness. The rear bulkhead, against which the rear seats will be mounted, forms an enclosed "box" around the luggage compartment and provides a lot of stiffness to the rear of the body.

Likewise the centre bulkhead, against which the table will be mounted, ties the two sides of the car together. With the table in place, another box-like structure will be formed providing stiffness to the centre of the body. The hole in the bulkhead is for the radio battery, which will be mounted under the table.

You can also see a number of hatches in the floor, these open up to give access to various technical bits on the chassis and the drivetrain. The floor consists of the framework of interconnected beams on which the floorboards are fixed.

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06638_zpscccc6479.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06638_zpscccc6479.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06638_zpscccc6479.jpg"/></a>

Still a lot of work to do before the body woodwork is finished. Next jobs will be to build the rear seats and fit the radio table. After that I will finish and hang the doors and build the windscreen surround. After that the wood can be primed and painted and I can start thinking about the panelling. With a bit of luck I can finish the woodwork before winter.

regards,

Funksammler

[Val]

Impressive. Again.

Is this woodwork done by yourself?

[Funksammler]

Impressive. Again.

Is this woodwork done by yourself?

I had the body built in Germany, but so many mistakes were made that I ended up taking it apart and rebuilding it properly. Also other parts that I had made locally were wrong, it seems woodworkers are just not used working with the tolerances required or are able to read drawings. Even where I supplied original parts to solve some of the construction puzzles, they managed to get it wrong. It goes to show, if you want things done properly, you will have to do them yourself!

Regards,

Funksammler

[Val]

It goes to show, if you want things done properly, you will have to do them yourself!

Absolutely true. Amazing work again. My hat off.

By the way, was there ever a radio monitoring version of the Kfz 17?
Horch car and Horch empfänger fit so nicely together

[Val]

Hello Funksammler

Tresor of the net !!! : http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GcaZXeMfG2...S+%2816%29.jpg

I don't know in listening
In transmitting i think an other problem hi !!!

So that's how the microwave oven was invented !!
At the same time you get your important message sent also your dinner is ready.

[Funksammler]

So that's how the microwave oven was invented !!
At the same time you get your important message sent also your dinner is ready.

You only hear cackling on the radio anyway.....

There was another interesting photo on ebay recently of someone performing a gymnastics handstand on the antenna....

Regards,

Funksammler

[Val]

Don't remember posting this one here.

http://www.worldwarphotos.info/galle...-17-radio-car/

What's the box? Power generator?

Full gallery : http://www.worldwarphotos.info/galle...cks/horch-901/

[Funksammler]

Escaping the Falaise Pocket!

Some pictures taken of the Kfz 17 during a reenactment run of the escape from the Falaise pocket, 70 years ago this week...

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1030055_zpsb93da589.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1030055_zpsb93da589.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1030055_zpsb93da589.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1030189_zpse5265c99.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1030189_zpse5265c99.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1030189_zpse5265c99.jpg"/></a>

Crossing the Dives at Moissy ford:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1030090_zpsf1ff56eb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1030090_zpsf1ff56eb.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1030090_zpsf1ff56eb.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1030069_zps67e50b94.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1030069_zps67e50b94.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1030069_zps67e50b94.jpg"/></a>

With some heavy metal:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1030149_zps4573d488.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1030149_zps4573d488.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1030149_zps4573d488.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1030020_zps5073a100.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1030020_zps5073a100.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1030020_zps5073a100.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/P1030025_zpsfd0f459d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/P1030025_zpsfd0f459d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P1030025_zpsfd0f459d.jpg"/></a>

For some more pictures of the event, also see: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...69&postcount=1

regards,

Funksammler

[Funksammler]

Funkwagen Kfz 17 with FU 19 SE 15

I am getting the Kfz 17 ready for June 2015 and I decided to replace the FU 11 setup. This year it will be running as a "kleinen Funktrupp f (mot)" with the FU 19 SE 15 (15 W.S.E.b).

Whereas the FU 11 is a long wave set, the FU 19 operates on shortwave, so it will be interesting how the antenna setup copes with the short wave equipment.

It should look something like this:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/307M.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/307M.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 307M.jpg"/></a>

This is how it compares:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC07370_zpsasdyoado.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC07370_zpsasdyoado.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC07370_zpsasdyoado.jpg"/></a>

The only thing I can not quite replicate is the positioning of the KV15a "Kabelverteiler" box. It appears that in the original picture, the tranceiver is placed slightly more to the left, probably with the the KV 15a placed on the right side of the transceiver out of view. However the 1.5 meter long cable (as per original manual) between the E.W.e on the left sidewall and the KV15a is not long enough to reach. All that the manual states is that the KV15a was placed against the table bulkhead.

The U100 has now been replaced with the U15:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC07371_zpsb4txppzy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC07371_zpsb4txppzy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC07371_zpsb4txppzy.jpg"/></a>

The U15 mounting frame fits on a special frame which uses the same attaching lugs as the U100. This way it can securely be fitted to the table with the two bolts through the table. The FU 19 SE 15 contains slightly less bulky equipment so it leaves a lot empty space in the various storage compartments.

Instead of the larges LG600 generator, the "kleinen Funktrupp f (mot)" carried the smaller GG 400:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC07372_zpsikek99jj.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC07372_zpsikek99jj.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC07372_zpsikek99jj.jpg"/></a>

This fits in the same space where the larger generator used to be. Care must be taken that the starting handle is fitted to the left, with a special twist the GG 400 can snugly be fitted into place. The rest of the equipment load is very similar to that of the FU 11.

The only thing I have yet to complete is the fixed antenna configuration:

<a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/B6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/B6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B6.jpg"/></a>

It uses a 1.4 meter rod antenna with a connecting piece placed on an "Antennekopf C". The bit I am missing is the "Abweiser", a horizonal rod which keeps the antenna cable away from the mast (similar to the short horizontal rod on the "Sternantenne").
So if anybody has more detailed information on this "Abweiser" I would be grateful.

First impressions on using the 15 W.S.E.b with the roof antenna are that the antenna tuning becomes very critical. I suspect that the roof antenna is quite short compared to the "ideal". In any case there is quite a narrow sweetspot for the antenna tuning for a given frequency, with quite a large signal loss as the frequency is changed. All in all quite a decent reception on the 40 m amateur band, especially CW. I have not tried it at night away from my annoying ADSL telephone lines but there should be plenty to hear. Once I have my "Abweiser" sorted I should be able to explore the full potential of the set using the Kurbelmast.

regards,

Funksammler