AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES
This page was updated on 01 - Mr - 2010

Amphibs sorted by year of production can be found on René Pohl Site www.schwimmauto.de























































SA8 SA-8 (1975)

The SA-8 was developed in the late sixties.

An amphibious 6x6 surface-to-air missile launcher with its own radar systems for surveillance, tracking and missile guidance, it served as an replacement for towed anti-aircraft guns. 

The crew of five are housed (obviously) at the front, while the engine is at the rear. 

When it goes swimming, propulsion is via two water jets at the rear of the hull. Steering (on solid ground) operates on the front and rear of the three axles.

SA japan (SA) (194?)

Japanese Swamp Crossing Vehicle (SA)

Length : 6.945 m
Width : 2.945 m
Hight : 2.20 m
Empty Weight : 8.25t
Engine : Water Cooling Diesel 130PS/2,000 rpm

Max Speed :
19 km/h On the mud
8 km/h On the Water
35 km/h On the road
Crew : 2

See also:

The Swamp Crossing Vehicle FB


Sam Sam (2003)

All wheel drive Prototype amphibious vehicle from Poland
Engine Fiat 120 HP 2000 cc
with an automatic transmission
Diff. locks front and rear
6-Ton PTO winch in the front
Propeller for water propulsion.
80 Km/h on road and 10 km/h in the water.
2 to 3 seats ?? and a load up to approx. 300 kg

Little detail:
The engine is in the back, right behind the seats,
there is no fire wall or sound proofing at all.
And to make your smile bigger:
Between engine and gearbox there is a chain drive.

Salamander Sallie Salamander (2002)

Here name is Sally and her construction started in 1999.
Richard Trojan has build her and she has her own website

trojanandson.com

Length - 22' Width - 8' 6" Height - with wheels down 9'
Keel height with wheels down - 12" Wheel length centre to centrer - 16'
Weight - approx. 7000 lbs. Hull Material - aluminum
Pay Load - 1 ton on land, 2 tons in water

Engine and Out drive - Mercruiser 350 Chevy & Alpha-1 out drive
Main Hydraulic pumps - Mannesmann, Rexroth, Variable Displacement Series 31, AAIOVSO
Auxiliary Hydraulic pump - AA10VS028 - Pressure Compensated Pump
Wheel motor - White fixed displacement
Tires 31" diameter
Steering (boat) Passive hydraulic helm controls
Steering (car) front wheels via tie rods and Chevy Steering Box

Scat Scat http://www.route6x6.com

You can find more about this machine in the museum of ROUTE6x6.

Picture used with permission from ROUTE6x6.

schafer-orion

Schäfer Orion 1 (1968) in water

Schäfer Orion 1 (1968) propeller

Schäfer Orion 1 (1968)

An amphibious camper (motorhome).

Desigend by Ing. Dr. Freise. On a modified  chassis of the VW Van type 26, he placed the modified body of a Suleica G500, with the new front of the Tempo–Matador but with round head-lights en a boat like bottom.

A propellor was driven on the rear like the 166 schwimmwagen.

As far as know the water-tight Orion 1 sailed only for promotional purposes and was then forgoten.

( But not by me. ;-)  

The prototype stil exists but it is not water tight anymore 
(the door is lowerd and ventilatin holes for a fridge are placed )
and the water propulsion is removed.

Schafer Suleica amphib caravan

Schafer Suleica amphibious caravan

Schafer Suleica amphibious caravan

Schafer Suleica amphibious caravan

Schäfer / Suleica Amphibious Caravan (1967)

The 2 amphibious models the 500S and the 430S can be moved either by a 25 HP strong outboard motor or pulled by an amphibious car.

Already in 1961 Suleica was selling amphibious caravans.

The stuff dreams are made of
Out of this world
Out of reach.

In 1967 this was the TOP in quality and in price.

The standard production was not amphibious some extra work was needed.

F 430 amphibious has extra:
A fat-sealed axle and a foamed filed double bottom.
The door has a 30 cm  higher board.
Weight 560 kg  price (1967) 10.350 DM about 5175 Euro

A total of  800 (500 and 430 model together) where manufactured.
not al are amphibious caravans!

Owners of a Suleica  Caravan can be found at

www.suleica-orion-club.de/

On www.suleica-caravans.de
there is a specal page about the amphibious caravans.

Schneider Laurant Schneider-Laurent-amphibious tank (1930)

This is a French construction and it had three different purposes:
1: it had tracks
2: it had wheels
3: it had two props for water use

The change from tracks to wheel drive could be done within 3 minutes. But the crew had to leave the vehicle for that job!
The tin can was powered by a V8 petrol engine with around 100 hp.

Picture and info was send in by René Pohl the author of the book
"Mit dem Auto baden gehen", ISBN 3893657029. Who has an amphibious site of his one.

SchwimmKÜBELwagen

SchwimmKÜBELwagen 82

SchwimmKÜBELwagen 82 (1940)

This is a Prototype Schwimmwagen with the bodywork from a type 82 Kübelwagen.

SchwimmKÜBELwagen 181 SchwimmKÜBELwagen 181

This to is a Prototype Schwimmwagen but this one has the bodywork from a type 181 Kübelwagen. (The THING)

It is the only amphibious 181 in the world.

Info send in by Frank Suha.

Schwimmwagen type 128

Schwimmwagen type 128

Schwimmwagen type 128

Schwimmwagen Type 128 (1940)

This is THE Prototype Schwimmwagen

Professor Porsche developed the Schwimmwagen based on the standard VW Kubelwagen and work done by Hannes Trippel on the SG7.

Production started in 1940 with thirty vehicles being produced at the Wolfsburg Volkswagen works.

Engine: 1,131 cc 25 hp at 3,000 r/m four-cylinder, air cooled. Gearbox: four-speed manual.

4x4 only in 1e gear granny low
On normal road, only the rear wheels are driven.
Self-locking differentials were fitted to both axles.
Portal gear rear hubs for better ground clearance

Wheelbase 240 cm
Curb weight is 900 kg. ??

The three-blade propeller, stored in an upright position, that can be swung down when needed. Power take off came from the crankshaft and was send by an external chain box to the propeller. When fully loaded, the Type 128 has a water speed of 10 km/h.

Porsche company offered 3 different cars:

1- The type 128

2- A lighter version the type 138
    in pre series 125 where build.

3- The type 166 - A short and narrow version

At the end of 1941, an order was placed.
This was to be the Type 166.

Schwimmwagen type 129 Schwimmwagen  Type 129

Guided bom with rocket propulsion

Controlled by wire remote!

An experimental vehicle with 2 rockets on the back.
The remote diver had no feeling over the car getting out of the water so then the rockets where used to help getting out of the water at an embankment.

On the photo only 2 air bottles are visible.
the rocket it self is not there. (middle rear)

128 - 138

Schwimmwagen Type 138 (1942)

Vorserienschwimmwagen
that means pre series swimmers.

A total of 125 were made.

The difference with the Type 128 is a little loss of weight. But the welded body tubs, where to weak for tough off-roading.

Schwimmwagen

Schwimmwagen 166

4wd leaver

propellor engage

Schwimmwagen 166 (1942)

The resulting vehicle was the Type 166 Schwimmwagen.

SW 166 is 40 cm shorter and 10 cm smaller than the earlier type 128. The tow hooks are stronger.

The same power plant of 1,130 cm3 used in the Kubelwagen was used in the Schwimmwagen.

15,584 were produced
14,276 at Fallersleben
1,308 by Porsche

Wheel-base of 200 cm
The transmission worked normally in two-wheel drive rear until a fifth granny low gear was selected, But some selected four-wheel drive with a small lever behind the gear lever. Thirth option was a lever in front of the gear shift lever.

Self-locking differentials were fitted to both axles.
Portal gear REAR hubs for better ground clearance.

After the WWII Germany was forbidden to build amphibious cars. Hannes Trippel was send to jail for building a private amphibious car. He was also forbidden to develop them until 1959 after his release. If not the Amphicar story had been different.

Fiberglass Schwimmwagen Kitcar

Fiberglass Schwimmwagen Kitcar

Fiberglass Schwimmwagen Kitcar
Fiberglass Schwimmwagen Kitcar (2008)

Some say this is the end of the world.
for others this is the other end (the fun side)

I see it as a model in 1:1 scale. ;-)

The question is can it be road legal?



www.panzerwerks.net/schwimmwagon/schwimmer.htm

Scrambler Scrambler http://www.route6x6.com

You can find more about this machine in the museum of ROUTE6x6.

Picture used with permission from ROUTE6x6.

SeaHorse Coach and Kitcar
SeaHorse (2008)

It looks like a Dukw but the  hull, deck and canopy are constructed from glass reinforced plastic (GRP)

It comes as a turn key COACH or as a KITCAR. :-)
But it is NOT a 200 hour project :-)

The traditional calliper and wheel drum mechanisms have been replaced by hydraulic drive systems incorporating internal disc brakes.

For road power, four or six wheel-located hydraulic motors are used.
For power afloat, hydraulics replace conventional prop-shafts.
A waterjet replaces the propellor and rudder.

Sealand Seamaster

Seamaster

Seamaster

Sealand marine (2006)

First photo was taken by Trevor,
in Cornwall England, the Amphib is used as a ferry for St Michaels mount island.



Seamaster tour version

With a length of 10.0 m
A capacity for over 46 passengers
or 6,000 kg of cargo

The original Seamaster is in service ferrying up to 46 passengers to & from a small island off the Cornish coast in England. The owners here required the Seamaster to be a lifeline to the main land even when their fleet of smaller passenger boats were unable to put to sea.

The final specification included twin engines, two hydraulic lift stairways and a disabled person's lift that doubles as a cargo loading platform.


Sealander BIG

Sealander

Sealander Displacing

Sealander rear

Sealander MK2 (1992)

Made by T & M Roycroft from New Sealand.

This prototype was built 1992 and has a 1.8 Subaru 4x4 running gear and a patented wheel fold up system. 

It does normal speeds on the road and will easily do 20 knots on the water. 

It has a water jet.

Photo's where send in by Stephen Snedden of www.myark.com

Sealegs

Sealegs BIGGER

Sealegs (2003)

Sealegs makes different high performance boats.

The top one is 4.7 m. the one on the bottom 5.6 m they can be driven in and out of the water under there own power.

They do approx 10 km/h on land.
and 60 km/h in the water.

An in-board Honda petrol engine drives the two rear wheels via a hydraulic pump and hydraulic wheel motors for on-land use.

By pressing a button, all three wheels are hydraulically raised or lowered, like an aircraft undercarriage.

The front wheel is steerable with the steering wheel.

MANY other sizes, including barge types, by custom order.

www.sealegs.co.nz



No picture Sea-Range see Colani Sea-Ranger

?????

SeaRoader SeaRoader (2001)

Developed by Mike Ryan then taken over by Rob Andrews.
The SeaRoader concept was kept as simple as possible.
one of the water propulsion systems was a 2 cylinder Beta marine diesel 'Series 10' with a F/N/R gearbox. 

The engine bay is open at the under side to get more cooling. That gives an oil spill risk.

The prototype length is 4.37 mtr, the wide 1.75 mtr and the hight 1.75 mtr.

www.searoader.com

SeaRoader SeaRoader (2006)

Development was taken back by Mike Ryan.
This Amphibious vehicle is Land Rover 110 based.
It uses a second engine for water propulsion.

It does NOT use the donor chassis!
NOW for sale as a KIT, and as a turn key car.

The SeaRoader concept was kept as simple as possible. To simple at first, it had no real hull under the car engine. SeaRoader takes the possibility of polluting very serious.
A collector has been developed to avoid spillage this leaves a large opening to get the engine heat out.
The engine will not overheat when used on the road.

Mike has email me:
We have added a secondary sump and front cover with it's own drain. This totally encloses the original sump and crank and frontal pulley above the gasket line. It has a compression seal that fits around the engine block. We have also done the same at the top of the engine, again sealing against the cylinder block below the cylinder head gasket.

It is now impossible for any oil or diesel escaping from the engine or auxiliaries to make contact with the water. I am very pleased as we will not have any environmental issues or overheating problems.

Mike

www.searoader.com

Searover Sea Rover (1991)

Amphibious modified Landrover.
Turbocharged Bedford diesel engine.
max water speed 6 knots, max road speed 95kph.
(photo from Overlander 4WD November 1991)

SeaWolf150

SeaWolf150 02

SeaWolf150 03
SeaWolf150

Amphibious modified Ford F150

Based on the 2 wheel or 4-wheel drive, super cab,
extended cab or crew cab models.

Designed to be a fun filled water craft
that is on-road friendly.

Full Coast Guard Safety features standard.
Extended cargo capacity.

Available option are only exceeded by
the customers dreams.

But limited by the customers income. ;-)

SEEP SEEP (GPA) (1942)

The Seep's intended use was to ferry soldiers to and from ships off-shore, to drive up the beach and continue inland. They were not very successful. It had been planned to build 12000 of them (Clayton '82) but only 5000 were produced (Carlin '89), all by Ford. It is reported that many of the Jeeps that were used in battle sank if there were any significant waves at all. but, a highly modified amphibious Jeep by the name `Half-Safe' crossed the Atlantic ocean in 1950 and continued later to circle the world.

Seiga Seiga (2004)

The Seiga low ground pressure vehicles are hired out for use on sensitive areas.

Seiga are amphibious go anywhere vehicles with a ground pressure of less than 1.5 lb/sqin when loaded and with deck areas from 13 feet x 10 feet and a load capacity of 1-2.5 Tons depending on conditions.

Seiga Weed harvester Seiga Amphibious Weed harvester

Build in HUNGARY
6 wheel drive and it floats by its big wheels.

vnad.atw.hu/referencia/aratas

Sdkfz Sdkfz 141Pzkfw III Ausf.G als Tauchpanzer

This is a German submersible Battle Tank
It drives over the bottom of the water with a max depth of 15 meter Has a crew of 5 (very brave men) :) The crew and the engine get there air through a hose from the mother ship.

Only a small picture,

Sherman DD swimming tank

Sherman DD swimming tank

Sherman DD swimming tank

Sherman DD swimming tank

Sherman DD swimming tank

Sherman DD swimming tank

Sherman DD swimming tank (1945)

DD stands for duplex drive. The tank is almost a normal Sherman except for the canvas screen on top of the tank to give it buoyancy and the 2 propellers at the back.

When a float the top of the tank is 1 meter below the surface of the water. The crew with the exception of the driver stays on the top of the tank. The driver sits in the tank and has a very primitive breading apparatus, With just 30 cm free board only a mad man wood swim without that thing.

The screen could be erected in 15 minutes
and put down in seconds.

The screen had metal hoops for support and by inflating 36 vertical rubber tubes with compressed air from bottles the canvas curtain got rigidity.

On the rear of the tank at the tank's tracks, sprocket wheels drove sprocket wheels that gave power to the propellers. Water speed was 7 km/h

The commander and the driver could steer in the water, but the commander stood on a platform on top of the turret, that way he could see over the skirt, and he then steered the tank with a large lever.

The Tank museum in Dorset England has one Sherman DD that is complete with the original canvas top. But she can't swim any more.

The DD tanks were one of the many specialised assault vehicles, known as Hobart's Funnies

The propellers can be moved upwards and out of harms way hydraulicly. But in combat one tends to oversee the lift and switch off function. 



At D day the waves where 2 mtr high.
that is almost 7 times the design hight.
Not a nice thing to think about.

An other DD tank is the Valentine.
no picture Ships with wheels see boats with wheels.


Sidewinder Sidewinder http://www.route6x6.com

You can find more about this machine in the museum of ROUTE6x6.

Picture used with permission from ROUTE6x6.

Sirene de la baie

Sirene de la baie

Sirene de la baie

Sirene De La Baie (1986)

It would make a nice motor home.
The Sirene de la Baie is a passenger ship on wheels. 
She can carry up to 150 passengers.

Long 26,5 m
Wide 6,8 m
Draft 75 cm
Empty weight 38 tons, loaded 52 tons.

She has 2 engines with 230 hp
8 wheels and 2 propellers
Road propulsion 8 hydraulic motors
road speed 15 km/h max

In 2008 / 2009 she was for sale.

Skipper Skipper http://www.route6x6.com

You can find more about this machine in the museum of ROUTE6x6.

Picture used with permission from ROUTE6x6.

Skoda 972 Skoda 972 (1950)

This photo shows the one and only prototype of "Skoda 972" that still exists, but there where built 5 prototypes in the year 1950. This last one you can see at "Lesany Museum" in Czech Republic.

"Skoda 972" (army name: MOZ-2) is a 4x4, that can carry 4-passengers, self support body/no-frame construction.
Engine(s): 1,2L - 45HP / 1,5L - 52HP, in-line.
4-step gearbox and 2-transmission.
Dimmentions: (LxWxH) 4520mm x 1735mm x 1770.
Top speed: 85km/h (land) / 10km/h (water).

Skot Skot (1964) see OT-64

Picture send in by Elmer from Poland.

No picture SKOT-2AP
Polish armored amphibious personnel carrier

The version "SKOT-2A" with a tower produced in Soviet Union, is also know as the BRDM-2 and BTR-60PB.

Snail Systems

Snail Systems
The SNAIL SHELL SYSTEM

It is amphibious and it is "self" propeled
stays in contact with the earth more or less. ;-)
there for "it takes what it needs" to have a place on this site.

 Is a low cost system that enables persons to move around, change their whereabouts and live in various environments.
One unit supplies space for one person. It is mobile both on land and water.

One person can move it slowly, either by pushing it like a wheel, walking inside it or on top of it.

In the water you need to use a peddel for propulsion. ;-)
 Snow-boat Snow-Boat

The snowboat is an amphibious vehicle for Snow and water.
It is made of a boat hull and a snowmobile

The track can propel the vehicle in the water but an outboard will do a better job.

Prototype Specs
(note: these are the specs of a working prototype, but they can be customized)
LxWxH: ~14’ x 5.5' x 4.5'
weight: ~ 700 to 800 lbs.
Speed: ~ 65+ mph
Capacity: ~3-4 people + equip

www.snow-boat.com

No picture Snowcat see BV 202

SogJoy

SogJoy

SogJoy

sogJoy

SogJoy
SogJoy {Sogzhoy} 2009

Cross-country vehicles  that are suitable for operation under difficult conditions. 

They are capable of transporting to 8 passengers and drive almost along any ground, snow and water. even with a wheel missing!

Cross-Country:

Suspension:  the independent spring- lever
Max. highway: 50 km/h
Max. water: 5 km/h

Without the load:  1300 kg
Maximum mass:   1800 kg


V -1 - cross-country:

The V models looks like a Mitsubishi
but that is only because they start with a Mitsubishi 2,5 TDI
Max. highway: 60 km/h
Max. water: 5 km/h

Without the load:      2250 kg
Maximum mass:       3400 kg

V -2 - cross-country:

Also base on the Mitsubishi 2,5 TDI
Max. highway: 80 km/h
Max. water: 5 km/h
Without the load:      2250 kg  
Maximum mass:       3400 kg

www.Sogjoy.com

Solo Solo

This is the only ATV 6x6 that is street legal as an PKW in Germany.

A PKW in Germany is a normal car!

There are 15 known to be in Germany and maybe 20 in the whole world.

Solo Spios

The framework is completely from aluminum - square tube 80 mm - 40 mm - 4 mm welds.
The walls are made from aluminum ALMS 3, stuck together with high-strength, waterproof high-grade steel rivets.

Dimensions: Length: 5.24 meters, width: 2.35 meters, height of 1.65 meters.
Weight: 1,850 kg, permissible total weight: 2,850 kg
Axle load: In front 1,200 kg, center: 1,200 kg, in the back: 1,000 kg.
Seats: 6 persons on single seats, alternatively 8 persons + driver.
Price: Starting from 60.000 to 80.000 plus legal value added tax. all depending upon equipment.

www.spios.de

Stalker Stalker http://www.route6x6.com

You can find more about this machine in the museum of ROUTE6x6.

Picture used with permission from ROUTE6x6.

Starcraft Starcraft http://www.route6x6.com

You can find more about this machine in the museum of ROUTE6x6.

Picture used with permission from ROUTE6x6.

Steyr Steyr-470 RSO/01 (1942/43)

Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG., Steyr, Austria. Steyr-470 RSO/01 based full-track amphibian

This Steyr has a cabin and a cover over the loading bay

Picture used with permission of Andrei Bogomolov
www.autogallery.org.ru/gsteyr.htm

Steyr Steyr-470 RSO/01 (1942/43)

Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG., Steyr, Austria. Steyr-470 RSO/01 based full-track amphibian

The same base as the one above but without the weather protection.

Picture used with permission of Andrei Bogomolov
www.autogallery.org.ru/gsteyr.htm

Stolz-Autoporter Stolz fahrzeugbau
Amphibien-Autoporter (1960 ?)

I just have to list this. ;-)

Amphibien-Autoporter is the German name.

It is a one (1) wheel car trailer
But by law NOT a trailer, so 

NO MAX TRAILER SPEED.

Originally designed for a VW Beetle.
In the winter you can fit sky's.

In summer you can use it as a boat. ;-)

This vehicle was for sale on eBay.

Stridsvagn 103

Stridsvagn 103

Stridsvagn 103

Stridsvagn 103

Stridsvagn 103 Main Battle Tank (1967)

It is fully amphibious after 25 minutes of preparation. A floatation screen needs to be erected around the upper hull. Like the Sherman DD
This was the first practical turret less MTB to be developed. 290 where build.

The main engine is a 290 hp (216 kW) Detroit Diesel. The secondary engine, used for boost power, was a gas turbine Boeing Model 553 with 490 hp.

The combined output of the both engines was better than the normal MBT's with heavier engines that used much more fuel.

The engines are located in the front to give additional protection to the crew of three, who are contained entirely within the hull.

The third man was placed in the rear of the hull, facing rear, with a full-driver system set up allowing the vehicle to be piloted in reverse driving in the same way as the froward driving was done.

Aiming the gun is done by adjusting the suspension system, see the Lego tanks. ;-)
No picture

Subaru. It was called Aquacar.

This is an amphibious rumor.
It is possible that it is the Sealander MK2

No picture
Su-ki see Toyota
No picture
Suleica = Su-per-lei-cht-ca-ravan der Firma Ferdinand Schäfer
Surtrek Surtrek http://www.route6x6.com

You can find more about this machine in the museum of ROUTE6x6.

Picture used with permission from ROUTE6x6.

No picture Swampmaster (1954)

This was a big one 36 feet (11 mtr) long and 15 feet (4,5 mtr) high. more boot than vehicle with the 2 axles with 4 wheels in the middle. It had a winch in the front.

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