Kaiserwagen - Myth, Fantasy, Reality (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

I just received 2 photos of the Kaiserwagen from a Russian member of the Landships Forum. They show a similar 2 vehicle set as the Kaiserwagen owned by Russian Emperor Nikolas II and was a gift to "cousin" Niki from "cousin Willy"

Terry

 

[Panzer ace]

There will always be doubters and a good hearted discussion about this is great. I do think it is a matter of taste and a matter of what you collect. Most importantly these photos lead me to believe that this was an actual vehicle from WWI. For those who still wonder if it is real or not I wonder what evidence it will take to convince them that it did exist?

 

[Mitch]

Perhaps being knocked down by one!!!!
Mitch

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I just received 2 photos of the Kaiserwagen from a Russian member of the Landships Forum. They show a similar 2 vehicle set as the Kaiserwagen owned by Russian Emperor Nikolas II and was a gift to "cousin" Niki from "cousin Willy"

Terry

The set of photos is titled "The Mercedes kitchencar of the Czar"
The top photo is "The erected tent customer's personal automobile"
The next photo down is "The tent is partially closed"

The last photo is "View of the kitchencar from the rear, with (fabric cover???)" The sign in front of the kitchencar's door says "Original Daimler Carraige"

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Looks like the big deal was the kitchen car and not the one the Kaiser or Czar rode in which was just a fancy omnibus. All the vehicles were original Daimler carriages upgraded for the Kaiser, but it seems like the pride of Daimler was in converting a car into a well set up field kitchen able to serve senior military staff in the field.

Wilhelm probably gave a set to every royal on the continent Probably not so special after all. I wonder who else got one?

Terry

 

[Rob]

Is it me, or is there a consensus building!

Rob

 

[uksubs]

It must be me but the Kaiserwagen remind me of the child catcher truck in Chitty chitty bang bang

 

[theBaron]

I'm curious to know if Daimler made similar vehicles for civilian trade, in addition to the ones made for the Kaiser's use. It's basically a mobile lunch cart, which was not unheard of at that time, as far as I know.

I agree with those who've noted that it's a very interesting piece, regardless of whether any maker winds up producing it. I'm even thinking about a scale model project for this, in styrene/resin. It would make a great diorama piece.

@Terry--you weren't sure of part of the caption of the one photo, it's "...with opened door". May I offer a minor correction, too, about a translation in the original post? "Aufgeschlagen" would be rendered better in this context as "opened" or "raised", rather than "whipped".

Prost!
Brad

 

[Jagdpanther]

So is it confirmed yet that it was real?

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I'm curious to know if Daimler made similar vehicles for civilian trade, in addition to the ones made for the Kaiser's use. It's basically a mobile lunch cart, which was not unheard of at that time, as far as I know.

I agree with those who've noted that it's a very interesting piece, regardless of whether any maker winds up producing it. I'm even thinking about a scale model project for this, in styrene/resin. It would make a great diorama piece.

@Terry--you weren't sure of part of the caption of the one photo, it's "...with opened door". May I offer a minor correction, too, about a translation in the original post? "Aufgeschlagen" would be rendered better in this context as "opened" or "raised", rather than "whipped".

Prost!
Brad

Thanks for the German corrections.

According to Mercedes, these vehicles were made from a standard production Daimler "Carosserie" and depending on how that word is interpreted means enclosure for the working parts and passengers. I take it to mean Daimler took one of their expensive production models and used them to modify for an omnibus and kitchenwagen. The equipment in the kitchen probably is much superior to that in lunch trucks where the kitchen equipment was likely basic and the vehicle was a much cheaper small truck.

I think the German set was known as the Kaiserwagen, the Russian one the Czarmobile, and the Austrian one was the Strudelcar.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

So is it confirmed yet that it was real?

Yes - There was a Kaiserwagen set of 2 vehicles consisting of an omnibus and a field kitchen

Terry

 

[thebritfarmer]

Yes - There was a Kaiserwagen set of 2 vehicles consisting of an omnibus and a field kitchen

Terry

You have proof of a real exsisting vehicle just like the K&C one?

 

[jazzeum]

Looks like the big deal was the kitchen car and not the one the Kaiser or Czar rode in which was just a fancy omnibus. All the vehicles were original Daimler carriages upgraded for the Kaiser, but it seems like the pride of Daimler was in converting a car into a well set up field kitchen able to serve senior military staff in the field.

Wilhelm probably gave a set to every royal on the continent Probably not so special after all. I wonder who else got one?

Terry

You have proof of a real exsisting vehicle just like the K&C one?

Based on Terry's prior post, it seems evident that there was probably a base vehicle made by Daimler, which could be then customized. The photos produced by Deep Throat suggest that the archives contain photos of one of these kinds of vehicles but not necessarily all, or maybe....

 

[Mitch]

How many people will be buying this regardless??
Mitch

 

[uksubs]

How many people will be buying this regardless??
Mitch

I would if I was collecting WW1

 

[Phantom Warrior]

You have proof of a real exsisting vehicle just like the K&C one?

No - not like the K&C model. It looks like K&C combined the 2 vehicles into one or their model is just of the kitchenwagen. But there definitely was a Kaiserwagen.

Terry

 

[theBaron]

So I guess the question is really about whether K&C's vehicle represents an actual vehicle, or represents some that is, to use another German term, frei erfunden, that is, made up?

Prost!
Brad

 

[Phantom Warrior]

So I guess the question is really about whether K&C's vehicle represents an actual vehicle, or represents some that is, to use another German term, frei erfunden, that is, made up?

Prost!
Brad

The K&C model is referred to in the advertising as one of several several special staff vehicles built to carry him closer to the battle. This particular Mercedes contained his camp bed, toilet facilities, a wash basin and his personal maps.

The Kaiserwagen photos from Mercedes show a different vehicle and prove there was at least one Kaiserwagen. It does not prove whether there was a Kaiserwagen like the K&C model or not. There could have been a Kaiserwagen as K&C describes, but so far no evidence of it.

Terry

 

[Iron Brigade]

How many people will be buying this regardless??
Mitch

Dear Mitch:

I am thinking about getting the new Kaiser Field Wagen for my "1914...the March On Paris" diorama. I can not say about anyone else.

"Iron Brigade"

 

[Mitch]

I think it does look great and, I know people were concerned about the WWI armoured car but, I liked the look of that also.

Can't wait to see the pics posted of it as it looks a big set
Mitch