Indholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2021 i Military Vehicles

COME TO OUR VIRTUAL MILITARY VEHICLE SHOW! While it was a big disappointment that so many shows were cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we looked for ways to show off reader’s historic military vehicles. One such effort is our “Virtual All World Military Vehicle Show” on Face-book (www.facebook.com/groups/654912515280897/). So far, we have about 75 “entrants” who have posted photos of their vehicles. People can “vote” on their favorites by “liking” the photos. We are still gathering prizes for the winners, but right, now, we are just inviting folks to show off their rides and enjoy viewing all of the entrants. To enter, vote, or just enjoy looking around “the show,” log onto Facebook and type “All-World Military Vehicles Show” in the search bar. That will get you…

In the late 1950s, the US Army conducted an extensive vehicle fleet review known as the Motor Vehicle Requirements or MOVER study. The MOVER study developed three new vehicles under a High Mobility Concept program. The three High Mobility Combat vehicle classifications became the 1¼-ton 4X4 Gama Goat, the 5-ton 8X8 Cargo Truck, and the 8-ton GOER vehicles. Purchased in much smaller numbers than the other tactical vehicles of that time, the three High Mobility vehicles are rather rare to find in private collections today. This rarity is what makes them so interesting for today’s collectors. AN 8X8 FOR THE ARMY Several different vehicle test and development programs evaluated 8X8 truck designs through 1960. Ford developed a high mobility 8X8 Cab Forward 5-ton truck, the XM656. The Army ultimately selected…

Colonel Garry Littleton looks and sounds like he just stepped out of a Faulkner novel. There is a little southern 1880-something to his speech, his clothing, his mustache, his equipment and his house. Even the scent of the place is perfect: it’s ›ne leather and linseed oil, wood smoke and tobacco. As with Faulkner, he has a passion that borders on maniacal for preserving the past. How maniacal? He lives in Lynnville, Tennessee, population 327. In the downtown area, he owns six buildings from the late 1800s, all of which he has magnificently restored. If that weren’t enough, he has three vintage Dodge Power Wagons. Then he became aware of an 1800s one-room schoolhouse, which he promptly bought, transported with ridiculous difficulty to his farm and then, of course, restored…

What’s wrong with this picture? Just about everything! The tow bar is very flimsy and lacks a reinforcing crossbar in the “A.” Therefore, it will not withstand a heavy side stress, such as when making a sharp turn, or if the jeep should blow a front tire. The hitch on the tow bar is a relatively weak stamped steel type, better suited to small, light trailers, The safety chains, while appearing strong, should be attached to the jeep’s front bumper — not to the tow bar. They should be long enough to permit sharp turns but short enough to keep the jeep from swerving into another lane if the tow bar jump its hitch, The chains should also be arranged to prevent the bar from dropping to the ground. The…

On June 12, 2021, we had our annual Red Ball Convoy through the country in west central Arkansas near Mena. Usually, my wife would go with me, but this year, my granddaughter — who recently learned how to drive a standard shift on my jeeps — went in my her place. We all came together on June 11 for a small static display for the public. Then, on Saturday morning, we headed out at 8AM, sharp. We had 38 military vehicles participate, ranging from deuces to jeeps. We had vehicles from Houston and other parts of Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri and of course Arkansas. We made three rest stops and one two-hour lunch stop at the Montgomery County Military Museum at Mt. Ida. We drove a route of 111…

In the late spring of 1942, the US Navy was settling into the business of being at war. My father was a newly minted ensign, fresh out of Officer Training Course (OTC). A “Mustang,” he was selected for OTC after three years of enlisted service. He had been ordered to OTC from duty as an enlisted yeoman with the Signals Office serving the office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). His new assignment after OTC was again under the CNO’s office, but in a subordinate office running of›cer couriers who carried classi›ed documents and materials. Local couriers were attached to the headquarters of each base. As well, any Navy officer traveling on other business might be tasked to hand deliver a letter or documents. But, some things were beyond…

The Marine Corps has actively pursued and awarded the most innovative ideas for years now, encouraging Marines and Sailors of all units and job fields to identify ways to mitigate problems and streamline processes to improve their working environments. Dozens of creative ideas have evolved and are now implemented on the ground to help make the job easier for those service members who face obstacles and challenges in their work centers each day. For motor transport mechanics, an innovative steering wheel remover device is now available to prevent hundreds of tactical vehicles from being deadlined. Last year alone, Marine Corps units submitted 136 requests to replace steering wheels and steering wheel columns that were cracked or broken, rendering Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVR) and Logistics Vehicle System Replacements (LVSR) temporarily…

Military Vehicles Magazine welcomes photo submissions from its readers of any military vehicles, new or old. Send photos with a brief description to: Military Vehicles Magazine, Attn: Reader Photos, 5225 Joerns Drive, Suite 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481 or email to Military@aimmedia.com. Submissions may be considered for inclusion (with proper credit) in other features.…

The iconic WWII Jeep captures plenty of collector interest and there are nice restored examples at any military show, parade or MV club event. Every once in a while, one turns up that is so different and special, that it deserves its own day in the sun to be studied and admired. At the annual Armed Forces Day military show at Findlay Ohio this year, an interesting Ford GPW Jeep was displayed that really caught the eye. And the story about the Jeep is just as captivating. FORD GPW 67416 DATE OF DELIVERY: 9-15-42 Ron Rodgers of Ohio found the storied “Jeep in a barn” near Kenton, Ohio, in 2010. It had sat in a chicken coop since it was retired in the early 1970s. The original owners, Mr. Art…

Back in the early 1970s, I purchased a 1944 Dodge 3/4-ton carryall from a Navajo school in northern Arizona. The school had acquired the vehicle through government surplus in the 1950s, and though originally con›gured as a Signal Corps truck — having a 12-volt electrical system, a massive 8D battery in a box on the right side running-board, and a voltmeter in the dash in addition to the standard ammeter. The only civilian modifications were two rear bench seats and a school-bus yellow paint job. The truck was otherwise original, even retaining its blackout light system. The truck had been sitting for several years before I bought it, but it started up willingly and was in good running condition. Aside from removing the rear seats, installing an 8-track stereo, and…

Camp Fannin, Texas, was a U.S. Army replacement and training center as well as a German prisoner of war camp. It operated from May 1943 to 1946. It was credited with training more than 200,000 soldiers —as many as 40,000 at any given time. We were invited to the Camp Fannin Reunion to display our historic military vehicles. I had promises of 12 vehicles from several owners. On the day before the event, we had some heavy rain and storms blow through. This scared off some folks. So, we only had ›ve vehicles attend. It turned out to be a beautiful day. We set up on the grass at the memorial for Camp Fannin at the University of Texas Health Center Hospital in Tyler, Texas. Vehicles included a 1942 GPW,…

Look for more information in the advertisements in this issue of any show listings in bold and italics. Support our advertisers, they support the hobby! Confirm all information with show promoter before traveling. The time, dates, and/or location may have changed! Now-Nov 11, ONLINE ONLY. 2021 Virtual All-World Military Vehicle Show, hosted by Military Vehicles Magazine and sponsored by the Museum of American Armor. Free entry: www.facebook.com/groups/463722754868971 July 28-Aug 20, SD, Aberdeenn. MVPA 2021 Yellowstone Trail Cross-Country Historic Military Vehicle Convoy (“YT’21 Convoy”). The MVPA’s 7th Cross-Country Convoy will depart from Aberdeen, SD on 28 July’21. This Convoy will travel east along a segment of the Yellowstone Trail through SD, MN, WI, MI, IN & OH. TheYT’21 Convoy will stop at the MVPA Convention in South Bend. The Convoy will…