Tom Sterndale has been building a database of existing APUs, a challenging task given how little they’ve been documented. As part of his effort, he hoped to identify these jeeps which were once listed on eBay.

Tom writes, “Help me prove that ebay is not a black hole out there some were sucking up all the Szekely APU’S.

1. The four pictures of the four wheeled APU is a NC/5 Szekely used by the Navy up until the 70’s. Was on Ebay in 2010 would like to know were it is now.
2. The pictures of the Tricycle APU’S are NC/1 Szekely’s they were on ebay in 2003 or 2006 I would also like to find   them or others like them.
3. Both the  NC/5 and the NC/1 used Willys Jeep as a base.I have found some APU’S like the red and blue ones they all seam to be NA/3 Szekely built for the Air Force. I

I am trying to keep a data base of all units that I can find any body with a Szekely of any type I would like to be put in contact with them.”

1. Four Wheeled APUs:

2. Three-Wheeled APUs:

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This photo that Dan spotted shows an l-head powered 3-wheeled APU. I can’t remember seeing a bracket over the grille like that on other APUs.

Nick and tom have been continuing to research the APUs. They have some additional photos and documents to share, along with a story from Dennis Flynn, a former driver of an APU. Below is his tale, along with a photo of him now and of his former self in an APU.

Dennis Flynn photographed in an APU jeep and one of him now.

Dennis wrote,

I was 18 I made 3rd class Petty Officer and was put in charge of a 12 man start/tow crew working the flight deck on the USS Hancock CVA-19, Essex class attack carrier built in 1944 scrapped in 1976.

Early version of the jeeps used in the 40’s and early 50’s, the yellow ones were mid 50’s through mid 60’s. and cut down quite a bit. The rear axle was moved to the front and steering was done using two small wheels mounted in the center rear, the hood bulge was done to clear the carburetor since the body was lowered. ( it was like driving a tricycle backwards ) and they were pretty squirrelly to drive. A governor was placed on them to keep the top end at about 14mph.

My friend of mine and myself had one torn down for a valve job and had the ships machine shop mill the head, port the intake and exhaust and we made up a split exhaust manifold and removed the governor. While at sea and when we were not flying we tried out our work. Jim took off at the front of the ship (The flight deck was 888 feet long) By the time he got to the Island he was going 65mph. Then trying to stop (this had brakes on the front axle only and they were not all that great to begin with). He was doing pretty good with getting it stopped when he started running over the 1” arresting cables on the rear causing the Jeep to bounce and really get sideways. Jim did manage to stop it about 8 feet from going over the aft end of the deck. We were going about 20 knots at the time and the flight deck to the water is 68 feet down. We both got a super royal ass chewing from the ships executive Officer but neither of us got busted. (I didn’t lose my Petty Officer stripes that I had just made, but I was also the Ships Captain’s driver so that might have saved me)

I made up a “Bragging Card” for us stating that we set a world’s record for a gas driven vehicle on a flight deck while at sea. Jim is still alive and is one week older than I am and I turned 74 last October. When you are young you think you are invincible, It was a great memory and thankfully no one was killed.”

Dennis’ “Bragging Card” for setting a speed record in an APU.

Tom unearthed this government quote for 75 Valentine APUs, one of which would have been Nick’s. Given this info, Nick’s Valentine modified APU (#19) might be the only one left in existence.

Here are some APU related photos:

Continue reading →

UPDATE: According to the Willys Spring Reunion Facebook page, this might make an appearance at the Willys Spring Reunion in May!

Earlier this month Nick put together a video and some more pics that showed him picking up his barn find: the 1951 CJ-3A APU jeep modified by the Valentine Welder and Manufacturing Company. It’s a neat looking rig.

Here’s what Nick wrote: Hidden in a barn since 1962. As of Feb 5th, 2016 this is the only known Jeep of its kind. Valentine Welder purchased frames from Willys Overland, and converted them into what’s called an APU (auxiliary power unit). These were fitted with PTO-driven generators that started early jet aircraft. O.E. Szekely also made APU’s, but this is the only known Valentine and also the only original Navy paint of both companies. After a bunch of research I believe this was used on the USS Wasp (CV-18). I have the original government release paper and maintenance manual. It is truly a museum piece.

Here’s the video:

And, this is a link to the G503 page where he has posted more information and photos (lots):
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1566726#p1566726