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British Airborne
Willys MB/ Ford GPW 1/4 Ton 4x4 Jeep
.JPG)
Recce Squadron Jeep
Specifications
| Country of Origin/Used by: | Great Britain |
| First Produced/Service Dates: | 1942 |
| Manufactured by: | Willys-Overland Motors and Ford Motor Company |
| Crew: | 2-4 (but many more could be, and were, "piled" on) |
| Armament: | The standard airborne Jeeps were not normally armed. However, they were specially fitted with mountings/clips/brackets that allowed the crews to keep their personal and transported crew-served weapons close at hand. An exception to this rule were the Recce Squadron Vehicles which were equipped with (1) or (2) .303 Vickers "K" (Air) Machine Guns or (1) .303 BREN MG. |
| Engine: | 4 Cylinder |
| Miscellaneous Info: |
In 1942 during the allies'
preparation for the invasion of continental Europe, they chose the
proven Willys MB/ Ford GPW 1/4 ton Jeep to
provide their airborne forces with motorized transport. They would
use the Jeep to move rapidly to secure and hold key objectives during
their airborne and airlanding (glider) operations. However,
although small, the Jeep still posed problems to the British due to the
smaller dimensions and loading/off-loading limitations of their primary
glider transport: the Airspeed AS.51 Horsa Mark 1 Glider.
Therefore, if they were to use the Jeep in airborne operations, changes
would have to be made. Work by the British Airborne Forces and the Royal
Electical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) was carried out and the problem
solved by developing a set of standard modifications that would allow
the Jeeps to fit into the Horsa Mark 1 glider. These standard
modifications were made to most Jeeps as outlined by official British
War Office regulations. Although the modifications were standard, they were not made to all vehicles. The modifications were omitted or changed based upon the role of the individual vehicle and on the operational conditions expected. The most notable (and visible) standard Jeep modifications were the fitting of a removable steering wheel, removal of the windscreen/hood sticks, removal of the rear-bumperettes, removal of the side/rear grab handles, shortened front bumper, front mounted spare tire, pick and shovel, the jerry cans moved to the inside of the vehicle, the fitting of rear-mounted "A-Frames" for towing, and the fitting of a rear stowage rack/pannier. Besides acting as a basic transportation vehicle, the British Airborne Jeeps would also be used to fulfill specific roles or accomplish unique tasks. These specialized roles were Artillery Supply/Towing Vehicle, Field Ambulance, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Signals/Radio Vehicle and Supply Vehicle. While carrying out those duties, they were commonly seen towing the 10 cwt General Service Lightweight Trailer, Ordnance QF 6 pounder Anti-Tank Gun (on Mark 3 Airborne Carriage), M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer (on M8 Airborne Carriage) and No. 2 Mark 2 20mm Poltsen Airborne Anti-Aircraft Gun. As such, they required "operational" modifications (also standardized) to help them accomplish their tasks. Some of these operational modifications included angle-iron stowage frames fitted to the Jeep hoods, the addition of a small towing jaws added to the front bumper, front & rear stretcher brackets, weapons mounts, extra wireless/signals equipment, the fitting of stowage brackets, bins and telephone wire reels. |
| Data Sheet Available: |
 None
Available |
Photos
| Reference | Source/Provider |
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Ford GP British Airborne Jeep Photo (1942 - with pre-standardized
modifications) |
The Imperial War Museum |
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Airborne Field Ambulance Jeep Photo |
Ian Young - Great Britain |
.JPG)
.JPG)
Airborne Field Artillery Jeep Photos |
Ian Young |
| Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron Jeep Photos | Ian Young |
.JPG)
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Airborne Signals Jeep Photos |
Ian Young |
| British Willys MB/ Ford GPW Airborne Jeep Photos (Operation Market-Garden: September 1944) | German Bundesarchiv |
| British Willys MB/ Ford GPW Airborne Jeep Photos | The Imperial War Museum |
| British Willys MB/ Ford GPW Airborne Jeep Photos | Ian Young |
| 10 cwt Lightweight General Services Trailer (No. 1 Mark 2) - Manufactured by SS Cars, Ltd. | Anonymous Warwheels.net Supporter - St. Louis Missouri USA |
References Available
Online
| Reference | Source/Provider |
| British Willys MB/ Ford GPW Airborne Jeep Information & Photos | 6th Airbourne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment |
| British Willys MB/ Ford GPW Airborne Jeep Information & Photos | Andy's French Military Jeep Site |
| British Willys MB/ Ford GPW Airborne Jeep Information & Photos | ParaData Website |
| British Airborne Signals Jeep Photos | Visual Collector Index |
Printed
| Reference | Author |
| All-American Wonder: The Military 1/4 Ton 4x4 Truck -Volumes 1-3 (Victory WW2 Publishing) | Ray Cowdery (Vol. 1 & 2) & Fred Crismon (Vol. 3) |
| British Airborne Jeeps In Detail (Wings & Wheels Publications) | James Baxter, John Corden & Frantisek Koran |
|
"British Airbourne Jeeps" (July 2014 Issue
of
Military Machines International Magazine) |
Ian Young |
|
British Airborne Jeeps 1942-1945: Modifications & Markings (Groucho Publishing) |
Rob & Monica van Meel |
|
"British Jeeps" (May 2010 Issue
of
Military Machines International Magazine) |
Geoff Fletcher |
| GPW Jeeps In Detail: WW2 Jeeps From the Ford Factories (R046) | Wings and Wheels Publications |
| "Jeep Rebuild (Part 1)" (September 2013 Issue of Military Machines International Magazine) | Ian Young |
| "Jeep Rebuild (Part 2)" (October 2013 Issue of Military Machines International Magazine) | Ian Young |
| "Jeep Rebuild (Part 3)" (November 2013 Issue of Military Machines International Magazine) | Ian Young |
| "Jeep Rebuild (Part 4)" (December 2013 Issue of Military Machines International Magazine) | Ian Young |
|
"Jeeps in Camera
(WW2 British Airbourne Jeeps)" (January 2010 Issue
of Military Machines International Magazine) |
Mark Askew |
| MB Jeeps: In Detail - WW2 Willy's and Composite Jeeps (R054) | Wings and Wheels Publications |
| Military Jeep: 1940 Onwards (Ford, Willys & Hotchkiss) (Haynes Publishing - Enthusiasts' Manual) | Pat Ware |
| Quarter Ton: The Story of The... 4x4 Utility in British Military Service (1941-1958) (Warehouse Publications) | Pat Ware |
"The Recce Jeeps of Arnhem" (January 2021 Issue
of Classic Military Vehicle
Magazine) |
Craig Allen |
| WWII MB Willys Jeeps In Detail (R 054) | Wings and Wheels Publications |
Hobby Modeling
Kits and Accessories
| Model Kit | Manufacturer | Scale | Other Information |
| Willys British Airbourne Jeep Kit (A02339) | Airfix | 1/72 | Injection Molded Plastic |
| British Airborne Troops Riding in 1/4 ton (Jeep) Truck and Trailer (CB35169) | Bronco Models | 1/35 | Injection Molded Plastic. |
| British 1/4 Ton (Airbourne) Truck (Jeep) with 6 pounder Anti-Tank Gun & Crew model kit set (CB35170) | Bronco Models | 1/35 | Injection Molded Plastic. |
| British 1/4 Ton (Airbourne) Truck (Jeep) with with 75mm Pack Howitzer & Trailer model kit set (CB35163) | Bronco Models | 1/35 | Injection Molded Plastic. |
| 1/35 British Airbourne Recce & Signals Light Trucks (Jeeps) Model Set (CB35218) | Bronco Models | 1/35 | Injection Molded Plastic. Includes two vehicles and five crew members. Coming soon as of March 2020. |
| Aftermarket Set | Manufacturer | Scale | Other Information |
|
Willys Jeep
Instruments & Placards Review by Patrick Keenan |
Archer Fine Transfers | 1/35 | Decals; Designed for Tamiya Kit. |
| Ford Jeep Instruments & Placards (AR35382) | Archer Fine Transfers | 1/35 | Decals; Designed for Bronco Kits. |
| Brit Para Jeep "Before Drop" Accessory Set (T35110) | Black Dog | 1/35 | Resin. For Bronco kit CB35107? |
| Brit Para Jeep "After Drop" Accessory Set (T35111) | Black Dog | 1/35 | Resin. For Bronco kit CB35107? |
| Windshield Cover for U.S. WWII 1/4 ton 4x4 (Jeep) Truck (AVM35001) | Minor Model | 1/35 |
Photo Etched
Brass; For Tamiya kit, but adaptable to all model kits. |
|
Stowage rack for WWII Jeep (AVM35002) |
Minor Model | 1/35 | Photo Etched Brass; For Tamiya Kit. This product is also offered with some of the other Minor stuff in combination sets |
| Jeep M48 Dash Gun Mount and Accessory Set (AVM35020) | Minor Model | 1/35 |
Photo Etched Brass; For Tamiya Kit. This product
is also offered with some of the other Minor stuff in combination sets |
| Willys MB Interior 3D Decal Set (QD35018) | Quinta Studio | 1/35 | 3D Printed Decals |
| Standard Airborne Jeep Conversion with Trailer (35.1147) | Resicast | 1/35 | Multi-Media Conversion for newer tooled Jeep Model Kit (35219). Out of Production |
| Airborne RMAC-Medical Jeep Conversion (35.1148) | Resicast | 1/35 | Multi-Media Conversion for newer tooled Jeep Model Kit (35219) |
| Airborne Royal Artillery Jeep Conversion (35.1149) | Resicast | 1/35 | Multi-Media Conversion for newer tooled Jeep Model Kit (35219); Includes both 6 pounder and 75mm ammunition. |
| Airborne Recce Jeep Conversion (35.1153) | Resicast | 1/35 | Multi-Media Conversion for newer tooled Jeep Model Kit (35219) |
| Airborne Signals Jeep Conversion (35.1156) | Resicast | 1/35 | Multi-Media Conversion for newer tooled Jeep Model Kit (35219) |
| Standard Airborne Jeep Conversion, Trailer & 20mm Polsten Airborne Anti-Aircraft Gun (35.1196) | Resicast | 1/35 | Multi-Media Conversion for newer tooled Jeep Model Kit (35219). Includes Set 35.1147 and 20mm Polsten AA Gun. Out of Production. |
| 10 cwt Airborne Trailer Set (35.1158) | Resicast | 1/35 | Multi-Media Set with Two Trailers |
| Willys MB Jeep Lense and Tailight Set (SKP141) | SKP Model | 1/35 | Multi-Media; For Newer Tamiya Model kit |
| Jeep Lense and Tailight Set (SKP197) | SKP Model | 1/35 | Multi-Media; For Bronco Model kit |
| Jeep Wheel Set (SKP241) | SKP Model | 1/35 | Resin; For Bronco Model kit |
| Jeep Firestone Wheel Set (SKP246) | SKP Model | 1/35 | Resin; For Bronco Model kit |
| Willys Jeep Wheels | Trakz | 1/24 | Resin |
Model Photos
| Reference | Source/Provider |
