This strange looking contraption was developed by a former Luftwaffe aeronautical engineer named Fritz Fend after World War II. In 1948, Fend developed a small 3 wheeled invalid carriage (which he intended for use by former Luftwaffe pilots injured in the war) which was powered by pushing and pulling the handlebars (in a rowing action). Soon after, a small motor was added and it's success prompted Fend to develop it further. He developed a larger version (still with only one seat) with 2 steerable front wheels, which was known as a Fend Flitzer. He wished to go further and develop a 2 seater with a bigger engine, and approached Willie Messerschmitt (the aircraft manufacturer) in 1951 with a proposal to build the new car in his aircraft factories. Messerschmitt was very keen on the idea, as due to post war restrictions (imposed by the Allied Forces occupying Germany) he was not allowed produce aircraft. Hence production of this microcar put his factories back to work. He also agreed to lend his name to the new car.
The fruit of their collaboration was the 1952 Kabinenroller, which carried two passengers in a tandem arrangement under a large plexiglass roof, which hinged to one side to allow access. It had three wheels, two at the front which steered the car (the driver had a set of handlebars to steer the car with) and a single rear wheel powered initially by a tiny 173cc engine (in the KR175 model) and later by a larger 200cc engine (KR200). The large plexiglass dome roof was unique to the car, and not made from left over fighter plane parts as popular legend had it.
In 1956, the ban on aircraft production in Germany was lifted, and Messerschmitt needed his factory space back again. Fend decided to set up a separate company to make his microcars. The new company was called Fahrzeug und Maschinenbau GmbH, and the cars were badged FMR. The new company also retained the right to use the Messerschmitt name. To boost flagging sales (probably due to the public's increasing affluence in the late 1950's, meaning they could afford better cars), a Kabrio version (with a fold back canvas roof) and a Roadster (with no side windows and a tiny windscreen) were introduced in 1959.
The final new Messerschmitt was introduced in 1960. It had an extra rear wheel and a huge (for a Messerschmitt!) 500cc engine. It was to be called the Tiger, but the name was already in use by another manufacturer. Hence it was called the TG500. This was the last of the line, and only 450 were built. New affordable small cars such as the Mini (from 1959) meant the popularity of microcars was on the wane, and the last Messerschmitt's were built in 1964.
Revell make this model of the KR200 Kabinenroller. It has nice light green paintwork, a simple but well detailed interior and nice chromed highlights such as the rear luggage rack, and the rear view mirrors on the front wings. Criticisms include the opening canopy, which doesn't open as fully as it should, and a rear engine cover than is difficult to open as the top hatch gets in it's way. The engine itself is not that detailed either. On the whole it is an unusual model to have in any collection, but a must for fans of oddball cars! It gets 5.5/10 marks from me.
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