The firm of Peter Koch Modellwerk G.m.b.H., based in Köln-Nippes, Germany, was commissioned to produce some models of the post-war split window beetle as they also had made the pre-war KdF presentation models. The firm of Peter Koch was a very established and famous model making firm for shipping models, educational purposes and for the car industry. In the early war years, approximately 40-50 prisoners of war were kept at their premises who were forced to work for them.
These models were initially meant to express appreciation to Major Hirst and Colonel Radclyffe for their part in reviving Volkswagen after the war. Later a third model was commissioned by Heinz Nordhoff and a 4th model has surfaced recently. This last model is a mystery as it was formerly unknown. It is in the possession of a German family already since the early fifties.
This very detailed 1:10 scale KOCH VW model which was presented to Colonel Radclyffe and painted in the VW factory color of L70 medium brown, has weathered the 65 years since its presentation. Except for color, the model is essentially identical to that presented to Major Ivan Hirst that has been depicted in several books that have appeared over the years. Missing from the Radclyffe model are the exhaust pipe, the spare wheel and tire as well as the rubber gaskets surrounding the various windows. For the photo session, the model was removed from the massive wooden base that, like the one accompanying the Hirst model, did not originally have an enclosure of any kind to protect the model. Please refer to the KOCH MAJOR HIRST SPLIT VW MODEL V2 on this site for additional information.
