Fenomeen Granit 1500

Fenomeen Granit 1500
Land	Duitsland
Type	Truck
Productie	1941–1945
Gebouwd	Onbewust

De Granit 1500 fenomeen is a light trucks from Gustav Hiller AG. The Granit 1500 phenomenon was built for the Wehrmacht as a type S with Hinterachs- and as Type A with all-wheel drive. Typical for the type S was the twin tyres of the rear axle, the rarer type A can be seen in a larger number of screws of the front rim and by simple rear wheels.

Bron: Wikipedia

Phanomen Granit 1500 Walk Around
Fotograaf	Unknow
Lokalisatie	Onbewust
Foto 's	15

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Wacht, Zoekfenomeen Granit 1500 voor u...

Phanomen Granit 1500 Radio Walk Around
Fotograaf	Unknow
Lokalisatie	Onbewust
Foto 's	8

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Wacht, Zoekfenomeen Granit 1500 voor u...

Design Philosophy and Military Standardization

The Phänomen Granit 1500 was a light truck developed by the Phänomen Werke Gustav Hiller in Zittau, Germany. Originally a civilian design, it was adapted for the Wehrmacht under the Schell Program, which sought to standardize the chaotic variety of vehicles used by the German military. The “1500” designation referred to its 1.5-tonne payload capacity. Its most defining characteristic was its air-cooled engine, which made it exceptionally reliable in the extreme temperatures of North Africa and the Soviet Union, as there was no radiator to freeze or leak under fire.

Attribute	Standard Specification (Granit 1500S / 1500A)
Role	Light Utility Truck / Ambulance / Command Car
Nettolading	1,500 kg (1.5 Tonnes)
Krachtbron	Phänomen Granit 4-cylinder, air-cooled, OHV
Displacement	2.7 Liters (2,678 cc)
Horsepower	50 hp to 55 hp at 3,000 rpm
Drive Configuration	1500S (4×2 Rear Drive) / 1500A (4×4 All-Wheel Drive)
Transmission	4-speed Manual
Top Speed	80 km/h (approx. 50 mph)

Technical Innovation: Air-Cooling

The Cooling System: The Granit used a massive fan driven by the crankshaft to blow air over deeply finned cylinders. This eliminated the need for a water pump, radiator, and hoses—components that were frequently damaged by shrapnel or vibration.
Cold Weather Performance: On the Eastern Front, where liquid-cooled trucks required fires built under their oil pans to start in winter, the Granit could be operational much faster.
Chassis Variants: The 1500A (All-wheel drive) variant featured a transfer case that allowed for superior off-road capability, making it a preferred choice for high-ranking officers and medical teams.

Specialized Roles and Configurations

Sanitätskraftwagen (Ambulance): The Granit 1500 was perhaps most famous in its role as a field ambulance (Kfz. 31). The enclosed box body was well-insulated and could carry four stretchers or eight seated patients.
The “Fenomen” Reputation: Soldiers appreciated the truck for its “phenomenal” durability, often overloading it well beyond its 1.5-tonne rating without mechanical failure.
Post-War Legacy: After 1945, the factory fell into the Soviet occupation zone. The design was continued and evolved into the Robur series of trucks in East Germany (GDR), which maintained the signature air-cooled engine design for decades.