MAN 8x8 amphibious truck

The MAN 8x8 amphibious truck was an experimental German military amphibian of the early Second World War. MAN had helped design the standard Einheitsdiesel truck family, and among the first prototypes were four 8x8 chassis with independent suspension on all wheels and a 120 hp V8 diesel. The eight-wheeled version had been planned as a medium cross-country truck for a 4-tonne payload and 8.5 tonnes gross weight.

Conversion

In 1939-40 some of these chassis were turned into amphibious trucks. One source says two were converted, while a German reference book says all four were. They received an open hull, a 150 hp engine, two screw propellers and winches. One account calls this the world's first 8x8 military amphibian. In 1940-41 the prototypes were tested in Austria, including trial runs on the Traunsee. As far as is known, they never entered service.

Variants

One version carried ramps in its cargo area, so that smaller vehicles could drive over the top of it when crossing trenches. Another, sometimes described as a special engineer vehicle (Spezial-Pionierfahrzeug), carried a heavy winch, reportedly 40 tonnes, for hauling an entrenching plough, and had an earth spade. That winch is said to have formed the basis of the one later used in the Bergepanther recovery vehicle.

A small German firm, New Connection, has made a model kit of the vehicle under the name "MAN 8x8 Sperrfahrzeug".