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Long Range Desert Group (LRDG)/
Special Air Service (SAS) Willys MB Jeep
SAS Willys MB Jeep
Specifications
| Country of Origin/Used by: | Great Britain |
| First Produced/Service Dates: | 1942 |
| Manufactured by: | Willys-Overland Motors* with unit modifications |
| Crew: | 2-3 |
| Armament: | Multiple armament packages were fitted to vehicles depending on the unit, mission and/or specific vehicle's role/function. Weapons that were mounted included .50 cal Heavy Machine Gun (aircraft), single or double mounted .303 Vickers "K" MG's (air) and in a few cases the .303 BREN MG (seen in N.W. Europe). |
| Engine: | 4 Cylinder |
| Miscellaneous Info: | Based upon the
Willys MB 1/4 ton Jeep, these special
operations vehicles were used by the British Special Air Service (SAS),
Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and Popski's Private Army (PPA) during
World War Two. Typical basic vehicle modifications (depending on unit) were the fitting of sand tires, condenser cooling systems, cut down radiator grating, addition of sand channels, the mounting of extra petrol and water cans and the famous Bagnold sun compass. * Although most references and photographs indicate that British Special Forces Jeeps were supplied solely by Willys, there's at least one photograph identifying a French SAS Battalion operating in N.W. Europe (circa December 1944) while using a Ford GPW Jeep. |
| Data Sheet Available: |
 None
Available |
Photos
| Reference | Source/Provider |
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.jpg) LRDG Willys
MB Jeep Photos |
Imperial War Museum |
 LRDG Willys
MB Jeep Photo |
Erik Johansen - South Shields, Tyne & Wear UK |
| LRDG & SAS Willys MB Jeep Photos (2006) | Ian Sadler - UK |
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PPA Willys
MB Jeep Photo (with Major Vladamir "Popski" Peniakoff) |
Imperial War Museum |
| SAS Willys MB Jeep Photos | Mark Aldrich - IPMS/USA Tacoma Green Dragons (Washington) |
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SAS Willys
MB Jeep Photo |
Dave Haugh - Content Editor |
| SAS Willys MB Jeep Photos | Imperial War Museum |
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SAS Willys
MB Jeep Photo (in N.W. Europe) |
Imperial War Museum |
 SAS Willys
MB Jeep Photos |
Erik Johansen |
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Bagnold Sun Compass |
Imperial War Museum |
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.303 Vickers "K" Machine Gun |
Imperial War Museum |
References Available
Online
| Reference | Source/Provider |
| LRDG Jeep Pilot Vehicle Information & Photos | Long Range Desert Group - Germany |
| LRDG Jeep Pilot Vehicle Information & Photos | Long Range Desert Group Preservation Society, The |
| LRDG Jeep Pilot Vehicle Information & Photos | LRDG, Long Range Desert Group: 1940-1943 |
| LRDG Jeep Pilot Vehicle Information & Photos | Andy's French Military Jeep Site |
| LRDG Jeep Pilot Vehicle Photos | Toadman's Tank Pictures |
Printed
| Reference | Author |
"Behind Enemy Lines" (January 2024 Issue
of
Classic Military Vehicle Magazine) |
Craig Allen |
|
"British Jeeps" (May 2010 Issue
of
Military Machines International Magazine) |
Geoff Fletcher |
| "Desert Raiders and Their Gun Jeeps" (November 2010 Issue of Model Military International Magazine) | Tobias Gibson |
| Desert Raiders: Axis and Allied Special Forces (1940-1943) - Osprey Battle Orders #23 | Andrea Molinari |
| "Desert Song" (March 2013 Issue of Military Machines International Magazine) | John Carroll |
| "Ice Cold In Alex" (Covers the Author's Egyptian "LRDG" Jeep Trip) (June 2018 Issue of Classic Military Vehicle Magazine) | John Carroll |
|
"Jeeps In Camera (WW2
SAS Fighting Jeeps)" (February 2008 Issue of
Military Machines International Magazine) |
Mark Askew |
| "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 |
| Long Range Desert Group, The: 1940-1945 (Osprey Publishing, New Vanguard 32) | Robin Jenner & David List |
|
Long Range Desert Group, The: History & Legacy
(Helion & Company) Review by Dr. Chris Lloyd-Staples |
Karl-Gunnar Norén & Lars Gyllenhaal |
| Long Range Desert Group Patrolmen: The Western Desert - 1940-43 (Osprey Publishing, Warrior 148) | Tim Moreman |
"Old Kit, New Tricks" (January 2020 Issue of
Airfix Model World Magazine (A
build of the 1/76 Matchbox LRDG 30cwt Chevrolet/Willys Jeep Model Kit
Set) |
Dave Oliver |
| "Piracy on the High Desert" (June 2020 Issue of Classic Military Vehicle Magazine) | Toby Savage |
Hobby Modeling
Kits and Accessories
| Model Kit | Manufacturer | Scale | Other Information |
| SAS 4x4 Desert Raider Jeep w/.50cal M2 Machine Gun (6681) | Dragon/Cyberhobby | 1/35 | Injection Molded Plastic. Limited Production. |
| SAS 1/4 Ton 4x4 (Jeep) Commander's Patrol Car Model Kit (6724) | Dragon Models | 1/35 | Injection Molded Plastic. |
| SAS 1/4 Ton 4x4 (Jeep) Patrol Car with Crew Model Kit (6745) | Dragon Models | 1/35 | Injection Molded Plastic. |
| SAS Raider 1/4 Ton 4x4 Truck (Jeep) ETO 1944 Model Kit & 2nd SAS Regiment Figure Set (6725) | Dragon Models | 1/35 | Injection Molded Plastic. |
| SAS 80 Year Anniversary Model Set (6931) | Dragon Models | 1/35 | Injection Molded Plastic. Includes multiple Jeeps and Figures? |
| Willys SAS/ Commando Jeep Kit (320) | Italeri | 1/35 | Plastic. Older kit, but still can be made into nice model |
| L.R.D.G 30cwt Chevrolet/Willys Jeep Model Set (PK173) | Matchbox | 1/76 | Injection Molded Plastic. |
| SAS Jeep Kit | Tamiya | 1/35 | Plastic. Older kit, but still can be made into nice model |
| Jeep Kit (Contained in the "WWII US Infantry at Rest" Set - 32552) | Tamiya | 1/48 | Injection Molded Plastic |
| British SAS Commando Vehicle- 1944 (25423) | Tamiya/Italeri | 1/35 | Reissued Italeri Kit #320 with new figures. |
| Aftermarket Set | Manufacturer | Scale | Other Information |
| Willys Jeep
Instruments & Placards Review by Patrick Keenan |
Archer Fine Transfers | 1/35 | Decals; Designed for Tamiya Kit. |
| British SAS Jeep Africa Accessories Set No.1 (T35014) | Black Dog | 1/35 | Conversion set and accessories for Tamiya Kit |
| British SAS Jeep Africa Accessories Set No.2 (T35224) | Black Dog | 1/35 | Resin. |
| SAS Jeep Conversion Set (North Africa - 1942) (T48043) | Black Dog | 1/48 | Conversion for Tamiya Kit |
| SAS Jeep Conversion Set (Europe - 1944) (T48054) | Black Dog | 1/48 | Conversion for Tamiya Kit |
| SAS Jeep Late European Conversion | Calibre 35 | 1/35 | |
|
|
DEF Model | 1/35 | Resin; For the newer release Tamiya Model kit. |
|
Jeep Mirrors (357122) |
Echelon Fine Details |
1/35 |
For Tamiya Model Kits; "Peel and Stick" Series. |
| "Jeeps In North Africa" (D356130) | Echelon Fine Details | 1/35 | Decals. Includes markings for a US Army Air Forces Correspondent Jeep in Tunisia as well as for British SAS Jeeps in North Africa. |
| SAS Jeep Detail Set | Eduard Accessories | 1/35 | For Tamiya Kit |
| SAS Jeep Conversion (LF1017) | Legend Productions | 1/35 | Early Release or for Different Model Kit? |
|
SAS Jeep Wheel Set (LF1232) |
Legend Productions |
1/35 |
Resin; For Tamiya Kit? |
|
SAS Jeep Conversion Set: For Two Vehicles (LF1233) |
Legend Productions |
1/35 |
Resin; For Tamiya Kit? |
| LRDG/SAS Jeep Accessory Set (MAC08) | Mantis Miniatures | 1/35 | Resin; For Tamiya Kit |
| Workable leaf springs for WWII Jeep (VMD35000) | 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 |
| Willys Jeep Lense and Tailight Set (SKP141) | SKP Model | 1/35 | Multi-Media; For Newer Tamiya Model kit |
| Ford GPW Jeep Lense and Tailight Set (SKP197) | SKP Model | 1/35 | Multi-Media; For Bronco Model kit |
| Ford GPW Jeep Wheel Set (SKP241) | SKP Model | 1/35 | Resin; For Bronco Model kit |
| Ford GPW Jeep Firestone Wheel Set (SKP246) | SKP Model | 1/35 | Resin; For Bronco Model kit |
| SAS/LRDG Jeep Conversion Set #1 (DR01) | Swash Designs | 1/35 | Multimedia; For Tamiya "Regular" Jeep Kit #35219 |
| SAS/LRDG Jeep Conversion Set #2 (DR02) | Swash Designs | 1/35 | Multimedia; For Tamiya "Regular" Jeep Kit #35219 |
| SAS Jeep Detail Set | Verlinden Productions | 1/35 | For Tamiya Kit |
| SAS Jeep (North Africa) Conversion | Verlinden Productions | 120mm |
Model Photos
| Reference | Source/Provider |
| SAS Jeep/ LRDG Chevrolet 30 cwt Truck Desert Diorama Photos | John Staehle - Deming, New Mexixo USA |
