[WWII] Mercedes-Benz GL3000

[Phaelen Bleux]

"Truck? What truck?!" -- Indiana Jones

Mercedes-Benz LG3000
The LG3000 was a medium-duty truck frequently used by the Luftwaffe (under the designation Kfz 74). It was produced from 1935 to 1938, with 7,434 trucks being built. It was of conventional design, with a two-person enclosed cab and a flat bed that could be covered with a canvas top. The cargo area could carry up to 4,400 lbs. or seven soldiers and a Jewish artifact. Some models featured a roof rack for additional cargo, a 7,165-lb. hitch and/or a winch on the front. Handholds on the side of the truck could allow the transport of additional soldiers, if the driver plays nice. The passenger door is of dubious design, and has been known to fall off if ill-cared for. The design is rounded out with a light-weight handhold, er, hood ornament, emblazoned with the Mercedes logo and a hidden hardpoint on the undercarriage for the attachment of a bullwhip. Fording depth (water, not Harrison) was 24 inches.

The LG3000 has a crew of one (driver). It burns 2.8 gallons of diesel per hour at routine usage. A full tank of fuel costs $3.80.

Subassemblies: Medium Wheeled chassis with Heavy option +4; six Off-Road Wheels +3.
Powertrain: 71-kW Standard Diesel engine with 71-kW Wheeled drivetrain; 31.7-gallon standard fuel tank; 8,000-kWs batteries.
Occ.: 1 CS Body, 1 PS Body
Cargo: 22 Body (open)

Armor
Body: 2/3
Wheels: 3/5

Statistics:
Size: 23'x7.5'x9' Payload: 2.5 tons Lwt.: 9.35 tons
Volume: 150 Maint.: 183 hours Cost: $1,178
HT: 12. HPs: 1300 Body, 150 each Wheel.
gSpeed: 33 gAccel: 2 gDecel: 10 gMR: 0.5 gSR: 4
Ground Pressure: High. 1/6 Off-Road Speed.

Design Notes:
Design loaded weight was 18,695 lbs.; this was increased 7 lbs. to the historical. The design purchases a 30-gallon fuel tank, but the historical capacity is shown. Design gSpeed was 44 mph; the historical gSpeed is shown. Some sources state a slight larger cargo capacity of 4,850 lbs or seating for 14 persons.

Variants:
The Kfz 72 was a rare variant with an enclosed cargo area (using the Wooden Armor option).

The Kfz 384 was a 925-gallon tanker truck used for refueling aircraft by the Luftwaffe.