Fend Flitzer: Difference between revisions
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==References== |
==References== |
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*{{Cite web | url = http://www.promotex.ca/articles/cawthon/2004/2004-03-01_article.html | title = Fritz Fend's Marvelous Micro-cars | access-date = 23 August 2008 | last = Cawthon | first = Bill | date = 2008-03-01 | work = |
*{{Cite web | url = http://www.promotex.ca/articles/cawthon/2004/2004-03-01_article.html | title = Fritz Fend's Marvelous Micro-cars | access-date = 23 August 2008 | last = Cawthon | first = Bill | date = 2008-03-01 | work = Promotex Online | publisher = Cadabra Corp. | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110706201453/http://www.promotex.ca/articles/cawthon/2004/2004-03-01_article.html | archive-date =2011-07-06 | url-status =live}} |
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*{{Cite web | url = http://www.3wheelers.com/fend.html | title = 3-Wheelers.com - Fend | access-date = 24 August 2008 | last = Payne | first = Elvis | date = 2004-05-31 | work = |
*{{Cite web | url = http://www.3wheelers.com/fend.html | title = 3-Wheelers.com - Fend | access-date = 24 August 2008 | last = Payne | first = Elvis | date = 2004-05-31 | work = 3-wheelers.com | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110707063821/http://www.3wheelers.com/fend.html | archive-date =2011-07-07 | url-status =live}} |
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*{{Cite journal | last = Wagner | first = Carl | year = 1973 |title = "Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" "Ja! das ist ein Kabinenroller!" Carl Wagner takes off on Messerschmitt | journal = Automobile Quarterly | volume = 11 | issue = 2 – Second quarter | pages = 162–171 | publisher = Automobile Quarterly Inc. | location = New York|editor1-first=Don |editor1-last=Vorderman | lccn =62-4005 }} |
*{{Cite journal | last = Wagner | first = Carl | year = 1973 |title = "Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" "Ja! das ist ein Kabinenroller!" Carl Wagner takes off on Messerschmitt | journal = Automobile Quarterly | volume = 11 | issue = 2 – Second quarter | pages = 162–171 | publisher = Automobile Quarterly Inc. | location = New York|editor1-first=Don |editor1-last=Vorderman | lccn =62-4005 }} |
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Latest revision as of 21:59, 21 June 2023
The Fend Flitzer was a three-wheeled invalid carriage designed and built by Fritz Fend. The Flitzer established many of the basic concepts on which Fend's later Messerschmitt Kabinenroller microcars were developed.
Background
[edit]In 1948, Fend, a former aeronautical engineer and technical officer in the Luftwaffe,[1] began production of a tricycle invalid carriage in his workshop in Rosenheim, Germany.[2][3][4] The tricycle had a front wheel that was steered by handlebars and powered by a mechanism actuated by pushing back and forth on the handlebars. Shortly afterward, it was offered with a 38 cc (2.3 cu in) Victoria two-stroke proprietary engine normally used for motorizing bicycles.[2]
Fend then designed the Flitzer, a larger, better-enclosed invalid carriage. It was designed from the start to be powered by a gasoline engine. Whereas the earlier tricycle was both steered and powered by a single front wheel, the Flitzer had a pair of front wheels linked to the steering mechanism and a powered rear wheel.[2]
Specifications and development
[edit]
The Flitzer was made with aluminium panels over a steel frame[2] and was enclosed at the front, sides, and back.[citation needed] It had a hatch at the top that was hinged at the front and tilted forward for the operator to get in.[2] The first version of the Flitzer was open, with a hole and a windshield in the hatch for the operator's head and shoulders to stick through and be protected from the wind.[citation needed] Flitzers made from September 1948 into 1950[3] were powered by a 98 cc (6.0 cu in) Fichtel & Sachs two-stroke engine.[2][3][4] Suspension was by rubber springs loaded in torsion.[2]
In 1950 the engine was changed to a 100 cc (6.1 cu in) Riedel/Imme engine.[2][3][4] By 1951, in response to customer requests for passenger-carrying capability, a scooter-type saddle was placed above the rear enclosure with footrests on either side of the body.[2] A closed version, on which the hatch had an enclosure that covered the operator, was made available. The enclosure included the windshield and side windows.[2][3]
Reception and legacy
[edit]
About 250 Flitzers had been built when production stopped in 1951. Many of these invalid carriages had been bought by able-bodied individuals seeking basic personal transport.[2] This led Fend to believe that there would be a mass market for a larger, transport-oriented version of the Flitzer.[5] Fend began to design and develop a two-seat vehicle similar in concept to the Flitzer.[3] He also began looking for a manufacturer to mass-produce this vehicle. He came to an agreement with Messerschmitt for them to build Fend vehicles in their factory at Regensburg[3][5] Part of the agreement was that the cars carried the Messerschmitt name, with Fend's new design being designated the Messerschmitt KR175.[3][6]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- Cawthon, Bill (2008-03-01). "Fritz Fend's Marvelous Micro-cars". Promotex Online. Cadabra Corp. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
- Payne, Elvis (2004-05-31). "3-Wheelers.com - Fend". 3-wheelers.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
- Wagner, Carl (1973). Vorderman, Don (ed.). ""Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" "Ja! das ist ein Kabinenroller!" Carl Wagner takes off on Messerschmitt". Automobile Quarterly. 11 (2 – Second quarter). New York: Automobile Quarterly Inc.: 162–171. LCCN 62-4005.
External links
[edit]
- Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum - 1950 Fend Flitzer 101
- Fend Flitzer 101 on YouTube – video showing a Fend Flitzer 101 being driven on the road and arriving at a destination.