Willys MB & Ford GPW Jeep History
When it became obvious that the United States was eventually going to become involved in the war raging in Europe, the U.S. Army contacted 135 companies asking for working prototypes of a four-wheel-drive reconnaissance car. Only two companies responded to the request: American Bantam Car Company and Willys-Overland.  The Army felt that the Bantam company was too small to supply the number of vehicles it needed, so it supplied the Bantam design to pumpers, field ambulances, tractors and as firefighting , with suitable wheels, would even run on railway tracks.

37mm Bantam Jeep Flying

Jeep

Willys and Ford
Jeeps were used by every service of the U.S. military. An average of 145 were supplied to every Army infantry regiment. Jeeps were used for many purposes, including cable laying, saw milling,

When military leaders and dignitaries toured military staging areas or were transported to the front lines, it was often in the back of a Jeep.

General George C. Marshall called it “America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.” Ernie Pyle stated once that the go-anywhere abilities of the Jeep was a major advantage the Allies Enjoyed over German and Japanese forces, crediting the vehicle with helping win the war.

Final production version Jeeps built by Willys-Overland were the (G=government vehicle, P designated the 80″ wheelbase, and W = the Model MB, while those built by Ford were the Model GPW (Willys engine design).

Museum Examples

Museum Examples

Trailer Supplies

1941 Dodge WC-21 Weapons Carrier

At the outset of WW II, Dodge produced the G-505 WC 1/2 Ton series of military light trucks in 38 individual models, thousands of some models were produced, while only a few of some others were made. The WC 1/2 ton trucks replaced the 1940 VC-1 to VC-6 1/2 ton Dodge trucks which were also part of the G505 series.

The lightweight and versatile Dodge half-ton 4×4 G505 WC series of trucks were built during 1941 and 1942. They were the first Dodge all-military design developed in the build-up to full mobilization for World War II. The various G505 models — Pickup/Weapons Carrier, Panel, Command and Reconnaissance, Ambulance — were carried over to the 3/4 ton G502 WC trucks that superseded the half-ton line in 1942.

Although often put forward as the explanation, WC does not stand for “weapons carrier.” “WC” was a Dodge model code: W for 1941 (or later) plus C for half-ton rating. The “C” code was retained for the ton and 1 1/2 ton Dodges, an inconsistency in the codes. WC models 1 to 50 were part of the 1/2 ton range and were 80% interchangeable in service parts with the later 3/4 ton models.

Common features of the 1/2 ton trucks were:

• Drive: 4×4
• Wheelbase: 116 in (123 in for ambulances)
• Track width: 59.375 in
• Tires: 7.50×16
• Brakes: Hydraulic
• Engine: 6 cyl, in-line, L-head
• Transmission: 4 forward/1 reverse, manual
• Transfer case: Single speed

1941 WC 21 Dodge Project 623

Most of the Dodge ½-ton military trucks that saw combat in World War II were those shipped to Russia and Great Britain as “Lend Lease” aid. Lend-Lease aid destined for France was redirected when France surrendered. Dodge ½-ton military trucks were extensively deployed in Northern Africa where the rapidly alternating successes in battle saw them captured by the Germans and recaptured by the Allies. Prior to World War II the Dodge W ½-tons were deployed in the Philippines for use by the US Army, although many were captured and used by the Japanese during the war.

Museum Examples

1943 Studebaker M29 Weasel
The M29 Cargo Carrier (Weasel), standardized in November 1943, had four seats and moved the engine to the front right. It has tracks with a mild slant downward to the front, robustly supported by eight sets of road wheels on an improved suspension. The electrical system is upgraded to 12-volts. During production, the track width was increased from 15 to 20 inches. It was used in Europe, the Pacific and Alaska during World War II, and by VJ Day, over 15,000 had been built. During the decades following WW II, the M29C was used in Arctic and Antarctic Operations, supporting explorers and scientists’ MB-T trailers, the Bantam T-3.

An entirely new and innovative vehicle was needed, under wartime pressures to get it done yesterday. Studebaker Company accepted the challenge in May of 1942 and they immediately went to work on a 180-day schedule to produce the vehicle. In less than 60 days, they had a prototype, which, after testing and improvements, was standardized as the M28 Cargo Carrier. The Weasel was originally conceived as a snow vehicle. The concept for the Weasel received resistance in the beginning, but was eventually approved with the assistance of Dwight Eisenhower, then in the War Plans Division.

Utilizing a Champion 6 cylinder engine and other automotive components. The initial reaction to the Weasel was lukewarm as it had questionable handling characteristics in snow and frequently threw it’s tracks. When it was discovered however, that the little vehicle could go almost anywhere, Army officials were encouraged. Studebaker set about redesigning it, moving the engine from back to front and improving other design flaws.

While the mission to Norway had been cancelled, the Weasel proved to be a versatile vehicle that could be used for command, radio, ambulance, signal line laying, and light cargo. It operated effectively on difficult terrain such as snow, swamps, sand, deep mud, and lakes. The new version, designated the M29 worked beautifully on all terrains. Used in Europe and the Pacific, the military relied heavily on the Weasel and continued their use after the war. The last version, the M29C, was amphibious and found extensive use in the Pacific. By VJ day, over 15,000 Weasels had been built.

Museum Examples