UPDATE: This Fire Department testimonial was initially posted October 28, 2017.
This testimonial included a detailed list of fire jeep specs.
UPDATE: This Fire Department testimonial was initially posted October 28, 2017.
This testimonial included a detailed list of fire jeep specs.
UPDATE: This Jeepster photo is making the rounds on Facebook; this post provides a little more info.
=================================
Posted December 24, 2020: This article provides more information about this stunt Jeepster and plane. It was published in the March 20, 1949, issue of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
===================
Originally Published Dec 8, 2012:
The Sunkist Lady was an Aeronca 15AC Sedan airplane flown by Dick Riedel and Bill Barris used to set a world-record for endurance flight. They spent a total of 1008 hours and 2 minutes aboard the airplane, ending their flight in April of 1949. Unfortunately for them, their record was broken six months later.
What makes this relevant for jeep fans was that to keep the plan in the air, the crew used Jeepsters borrowed from local dealers to race down the airport runway so the crew could hand fuel and food to the two pilots.
Thanks to Colin for forwarding the story!
Here is a link to a story and a video about the flight (124 MB): http://www.cityoffullerton.com/depts/airport/the_sunkist_lady.asp
Here is a second article: http://vintageairphotos.blogspot.com/2012/03/saga-of-sunkist-lady.html. The picture below is from that article.
For you Gladiator fans out there, here are some fun items! This seller has some gold CJ-5 cuff links and clasp for sale as well.
View all the information on eBay
“Willy’s Overland advertising Jeep pickup truck tie clasp pin & cuff links”
3 of the 5 images in this small photo collection show a CJ-2A with a canvas top taken in 1946. The CJ-2A was new or near new in them.
View all the information on eBay
“5 Colonel Leck & Willys Jeep CJ Black & White Photos 1943 & 1946”