Hitler's Third Reich and World War II in the News is a daily edited review of WWII news, providing thought-provoking collection of hand-picked WW2 information.

WW2 category: World War II Jeeps  -- See latest WWII news here. See also 'Battle Tanks, Military Vehicles', 'Scale Models'.

Understanding Jeeps Model Code     jpmagazine.com :: 2009-01-23
Most people know what a CJ is. Some have heard the term TJ. Not too many have heard of a VJ, not to mention XJ, YJ, ZJ... BRC-60: Bantam pilot jeep prototype, built 1940. Includes the company's "Old Number One" pilot vehicle: the first jeep ever. --- MA: Willys-Overland pre-standardized jeep, built 1941. Most collectible of all the early jeeps since just 1,555 were built. --- GPA: Ford floating flattie, built 1942-1943. A WWII jeep with a body shaped like a boat and a propeller in the rear. --- CJ-2: Willys-Overland Agri-Jeep, built 1944-1945. Willys took the MB, stuck PTO attachments to the T-case, added farm tires and a tailgate, and sold them to farmers.    

10 World War II jeeps in one Biggin Hill square mile     newsshopper.co.uk :: 2008-11-15
What is the probability of finding 10 people all living within the same square mile and each owning a World War II jeep? Not likely, but 10 residents in Biggin Hill are the separately registered owners of jeeps that date back to the early 1940s. The group of military vehicle enthusiasts are all members of the Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society (IMPS), and think they have a world record. Nick Cowles, secretary of the society's Weald area branch, said: "We just discovered a few weeks ago that we had 10 jeeps in one square mile. If we were to extend that outwards for 2 miles, we would be looking at maybe 14-15 jeeps."    

Philippine firm restores old World War II jeeps back to life     sawf.org :: 2008-07-01
The Willy Jeep has been given a new lease of life by a small factory in Manila reproducing the iconic World War II vehicle for a raising global market. The company, MD Juan, exports 95% of its Jeeps to collectors primarily in the U.S. and Europe, who treasure the vehicle which was the backbone of the US army during WWII. Roberto Cruz says American collectors want their jeeps as authentic as possible: complete with imperfections and outdated materials such as wood and rubber instead of longer-lasting plastic. MD Juan moves around 1,500 units a year, and a fully-restored jeep sold recently for 30,000 USD.    

Restored World War II Jeep to be on display at 6th Cavalry Museum     mywebpal :: 2008-06-05
Restoring Jeeps has been Matt Fox's hobby forever, and now he makes a living doing it as owner of Quarter Ton and Military Restoration Parts. His latest project involves donating labor and parts to restore a WW2-era Jeep for the 6th Cavalry Museum. The museum's board had planned to buy a Jeep, but Fox told them he could do a better job and turn over an authentic product. "It has to be correct or it's not worth anything. This one is correct. It's about as original as you can get it." Executive director Chris McKeever explained: "You can show visitors weapons... you can show them uniforms, and now we'll be able to show them a 1944 Jeep."    

Postwar Jeep was jaunty sports car     canada.com :: 2008-05-24
The most famous machine to come out of WWII was the Jeep. Designed by Willys-Overland, 600,000 were built during the war. But, while Willys-Overland prospered making military Jeeps, it was worried about what it would do after the war, deciding to cash in on the Jeep's reputation with a civilian version. Willys-Overland replaced the olive drab military colour with brighter hues, marketing the Jeep CJ (Civilian Jeep). Sales of this military model converted for civilian use inspired Willys to expand its lineup: Jeep all-steel station wagon in 1946, pickup and panel trucks in 1947, the Jeepster in 1948.    

Flying Jeep - Rotabuggy by Raoul Hafner     unrealaircraft :: 2008-05-15
The work of the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment at Ringway on the Rotachute from 1940 onwards led to the suggestion that the free-wheeling autogyro principles could also be applied to larger loads. Raoul Hafner suggested the Rotabuggy, a Jeep ("Blitz Buggy") with rotors, and the Rotatank (modified Valentine tank). Preliminary tests involved loading a Jeep with concrete and dropping it from 7 ft., proving that the vehicle could survive intact from impacts of up to 11g. The Rotabuggy, camouflaged, carrying RAF roundels and a prototype "P", was tow tested and reached gliding speeds of up to 65 mph.    

Jeep restorer Le Cong Vang, King of the Jeeps, satisfies local and overseas demand     thanhniennews :: 2008-03-02
Far-famed jeep restorer Le Cong Vang or Vang Le, who has been collecting and restoring jeeps for 4 decades, has become known as King of the Jeeps. He believes old jeep owners have a particular reason for their hobby. "They are witnesses of history, especially restored war vehicles." Last year Vang sold 10 restored jeeps, a number beyond his expectation. High local and overseas demand made his business a success. Film makers have used his jeeps in movies, giving his restored vehicles greater value. Many think jeeps will never be outdated because of their unique shape and history.    

WWII utility vehicles: American Jeep, German Kubelwagen, Schwimmwagen     nationalpost :: 2008-02-23
One asset the Allied forces had was the 4-wheel-drive Jeep, a go-anywhere vehicle. By the end of the war 600,000 had been made, mostly by Willys-Overland. The German army also had its "Jeep," a light machine built in a VW plant. The little utility vehicle came in two versions: the 2-wheel-drive Kubelwagen and the amphibious 4-wheel-drive Schwimmwagen (with a retractable propeller driven off the end of the crankshaft). Because of the Kubelwagen's air-cooled engine it was effective in Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps campaign and on the Russian front. After WWII Willys-Overland released a civilian version of Jeep called the CJ, but Volkswagen stopped making its vehicles.    

Bob Burdick restores WWII-era Jeep, travels European war route     greenbaypressgazette :: 2007-07-18
One of Bob Burdick's greatest regrets is that he never served in the U.S. military. But rebuilding a World War II-era Jeep and driving it from Normandy to Bastogne came as close as he could get. "It was the trip of a lifetime," said Burdick, whose passion for military history became the foundation for spring's road trip. It also was a tribute to fellow Civil War buff, Richard Tonelli, whose father Rudolph drove a Jeep through France, Belgium and into Luxembourg as part of General George Patton's 3rd Army in 1944-1945. He spent a week in Normandy, where he helped lower the U.S. flag at the military cemetery at the end of one day.    

Restoring World War II military vehicles more than a hobby - an honor     kvnews :: 2007-06-18
Dave Wakefield found a 1942 Chevrolet World War II truck buried up to its axle in dirt in Ellensburg. For him restoring WWII vehicles is more than a hobby, it's an honor: "It's kind of an adventure. Like being an archaeologist and finding a historical treasure you can share with others." When he enters his 1943 Burma Jeep in parades, he dresses in military uniforms, which he also collects. A clean vehicle is out of the question: "I don't think there ever was a vehicle that was spotless." In one parade, he felt uncomfortable because the jeep was too clean. He found a mud puddle and splashed through it for a genuine look.     [Vintage Military Vehicles (AFV) & Battle Tanks]

Amphibious Landing Vehicles of World War Two     carjunky :: 2007-06-12
Amphibious vehicles were a great asset in World War II for many reasons. A couple of the amphibious vehicles that were produced and that were popular during WWII are the Ford GPA, and the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen. One of the best designed amphibious automobile was the Volkswagen Type 166 - This 4-wheel drive could actually be driven in water. Not only is it known as the single most produced amphibious car but it also was very successful for use by the Germans. The Ford GPA was a later model from the Ford GPW Jeep - many of them sank because of the weight when any large waves happened to come by.     [World War II Cars]

Restoration of World War II Jeep     wayneindependent :: 2007-05-11
Bob Sokol took on a labor of love doing something he had never tried before, bringing back to life a rusted relic of trusty war horse that served the U.S. military for more than a generation. He brought the Jeep for $150 - and he had an old military Jeep manual, plus he obtained some advice from the New York-Penn Military vehicle Collectors Club, which he joined. While he did not know the history behind this vehicle, he learned it was a 1943 Ford GPW. Sokol pointed out how Ford put their insignia all over. Veterans just love the Jeep: Many have tears in their eyes and recount stories of their time in the Jeep.     [World War II Jeeps]

1942 Jeep - Wartime military vehicle icon to go up for auction     yorkshiretoday :: 2007-03-02
It was designed to serve as a mule but the Willys Jeep performed so well in World War II that it has become an icon of military vehicle design. Several thousands were made and used in every theatre of war, but at the end of the conflict some were pushed into the sea as the allied armies disarmed. Around 1,500 are known to survive in running condition in the UK and one of those is to be auctioned. The 1942 model was found rusting away in the mid 1980s and was restored over a 3-year period. Since 1999 it has been in the hands of military enthusiast Peter Cottam, but he is now selling it to focus on a different project.    

A WWII Jeep - Memorabilia and military vehicles     newsday :: 2007-02-22
Article no longer available from the original source.
Paul Dooling spends many of his hours toiling away in his garage, or what he calls his "clubhouse" - for big boys that's steeped in history and filled with memorabilia from World War II: including a rebuilt Army Jeep, old military magazines and newspapers, even a parachute that was used for carrier pigeons. I paid $4,000 for the Jeep. I had another one that I put together and last year sold it for $11,000. I also got this ammunition trailer that the Marines used in the Pacific in Iwo Jima in Kings Park. And when I was a mechanic, some of my customers gave me their WWII uniforms and some of the stuff in the trailer.     [Vintage Military Vehicles (AFV) & Battle Tanks]

See also:
'Battle Tanks, Military Vehicles'
'Scale Models'.

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