1:35 German BMW R75 Motorcycle with Side Car Kit
Item #35016

DESCRIPTION
History of the German BMW R75 w/Side Car

The Treaty of Versailles concluded after Germany's defeat in
World War I stipulated that the German Army should not consist of
more tha 100,000 officers and men nor possess even tanks or
armoured cars. Under these circumstances, the Reichswehr paid it
attention to motorcycles (kraftrad or krad) as a successor to
cavalry orderly and bicycle orderly, and started to concentrate
its energies upon production of cars, transport lorries and
motorcycles for mechanization of fighting troops. Motorcycles
among others were first used as the main body of mechanized
troops since they had such advantages that they were relatively
inexpensive and those developed for non-military use could be
used as they were. It was the BMW Model R75 having tough body and
reverse gear that appeared at this point of time and displayed
excellent ability. BMW's traditional 2-cylinder flat engine of
746cc had a maximum output of 26hp and gave the 400kg motorcycle
with a sidecar a maximum speed of 95km/h. Carrying an MG34 or
sometimes even at trench mortar on its sidecar, the R75 served as
the spearhead of attacks and showed activity. It was also used
by the Waffen S.S. which guarded Hitler. A large number of the
R75 were employed by the Afrika Korps under the command of
General Rommel and stood battles in severe, hot deserts, which
raised its reputation further.