Messerschmitt KR 175
Convey two-seater tricycle built by Willy Messerschmitt with the beginning of the year 1950. The abbreviation KR is drawn from the German term Kabinenroller (scooter with cabin). The figure indicates the cubic capacity (175 cm ³).
History
After the Capitulation of the Germany at the end of the Second world war, the population counted a very great number of wounded handicapped. The engineer Fritz Fend had worked during the war on the first hunter with reaction Messerschmitt Me 262. In spite of the threats which represented the Plan Morgenthau (to destroy industrial fabric to transform Germany into an only agricultural country), Fend started to study vehicles driven by the muscular force.
A first series of vehicles especially designed for the people amputated by the legs was born in 1947. A lever with arm actuated the wheels. The first fitted with body carrier, baptized " 'Flitzer'" (free transl.: " split-the-north wind ") rolled in Rosenheim, proving that it is possible to go twice more quickly than to bicycle and even with a protection against the bad weather. In 1948, it mounts a Victoria engine of 38 cm ³ and reached 40 km/h with 1 CV. Until September 1950, Fend sells 100 specimens of the Flitzer . The wheels of bicycle had been replaced meanwhile by wheels with tires of Brouette. The aft wheel remains a wheel of bicycle. The cockpit was transparent, will say Fend, as well because of the narrowness of the vehicle as for psychological reasons, and realized using inflatable material for roof. Per good weather, it became a convertible. Until the end of December 1951, the “Flitzer” of Splits been driven by a Riedel engine of 4,5 CV and forced cooling, was manufactured in 150 specimens. It could even climb the road which leads to the top of the Grossglockner.
Me KR 175 - 200
Because of the lack of place, Fend seeks new buildings. Thanks to the professor Willy Messerschmitt who intercedes in his favor, it can use the empty hangars of the company of Ratisbon Stahl- und Metallbau (RSM). The only condition being of making of this vehicle a carrier in two places. Work of development remains with Rosenheim. Willy Messerschmitt was a fanatic partisan of light construction and its currency was: “all that does not break is oversize! ”The noise which ran according to which the Kabinenroller , called Karo (pointing out the shortened form of the Karoline first name), would comprise elements of the famous hunter 109, was to Me a true blow of pub'. Its aerodynamic form, the access on board by swing of the plexiglass canopy, the two-seater provision out of tandem and the search for lightness are common points with a plane.
At the auto show of Geneva of 1953, the KR 175 made its first appearance. The day laborer production was of 90 specimens. Its price was assembled to 2 100 marks. It little by little was improved and equipped with a clutch to the foot and a step back.
In spring 1955, it was the turn of the KR 200 to be born. The sales of this year reached 12 000 vehicles for an unit price of 2 500 marks. It was also the apogee. In the space of 24:00 it does not establish less than 25 world records on the track of the Circuit of Hockenheim. Been driven by an engine of 13 CV, it pushed points to 130 km/h!
FMR
January 15th 1957, Messerschmitt gives up all the activities not connected to aeronautics in order to be able to profit from the governmental assistances intended to support the rebuilding of an aircraft industry in Germany. The company Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau Regensburg (FMR) takes again the production.-
September 1957: tests of a vehicle with 4 wheels called Tiger conceived like successor “sport” of the three-wheeled model.
- May 2nd 1958: presentation of Tg 500. Its price of 3650 marks rejects the customers.
- Beginning 1964: stop of the production due to not-profitability.
Messerschmitt with the cinema
KR 175 is visible in the film Brazil of Terry Gilliam, as in the film the Family Addams in whom the carrier is driven by the cousin itt .
Features KR 175/200
- Driving two-stroke of Fichtel & Sachs, one-cylinder
- Embrayage: triple disc in oil bath
- Transmission: by chain on the aft wheel
- Battery: 6 V 7/14 Ah
- overall Dimensions: 2820 X 1220 X 1200 mm
- Hydraulic dampers: 1 per wheel Pneumatic
- : 4,00" X 8"
- Direction: quasi direct with lever and standard handlebar motor bike
- Tare weight: 220/240 kg
- maximum Speed. : approx. 80/98 km/h
- Consumption: approx. 4.0/4.5 l/100 km
- Tank: 11,5/12.5 liters (located above the engine)
- Manufacture: from March 1953 in March 1955 (KR 175), 1955 to 1964 (KR 200)
See too
External bonds
- Gallery photographs on a German site
- Messerschmitt scale models
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