More Airfix Beetles

An American soldier inspecting machine tools that were dispersed to various sites during the War to avoid destruction by Allied bombing. Major Ivan Hirst ordered this plant to be brought back into the remains of the factory, so that Beetle production could resume.

A couple of recent builds by a chum, who kindly sent these photos through the post. ù

The Cabriolet Ivan Hirst had built for his boss, Col. Charles Radclyffe. Many criticised it in recent times for being without a rear window, having failed to realise that in post War Germany, that most roads were entirely devoid of traffic.

Ivan always spoke in glowing terms of Radclyffe. An officer, gentleman, humanitarian and a man with an acute intellect, he always put faith in fellow officers to get the job done properly. Industrial recovery was slow, but thanks largely to Ivan Hirst, it was accomplished. Hirst can be seen in the pic below on the far left.

Early Beetle exports to France.

The Tatra Ivan Hirst found abandoned at Wolfsburg in 1945. He had it restored and used it as everyday transport during his time at Volkswagen.

VW workers in 1946. Many were happy that war had ended, but were less enamoured by living on between 1200-1500 calories oer day.

Production workers were beginning to look happier by 1947 as food supplies increased. Still no chip van, of course, but scenes like this rather lend themselves to diorama.

Further early European exports. Something for slot enthusiasts and model railway folk to get their teeth into.

The two-seater Radclyffe Roadster that clearly inspired the styling of the later Hebmueller.

Should have posted this pic above but forgot. It shows the V8 engine of Ivan Hirst's Tatra he used during his days supervising VW's recovery.

This is the one. Not sure why the doors are off the car.