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Alaska WWII Jeep Hardtops & the YL-15

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Paul from Alaska wrote, “Recently I was at the Alaska Aviation Museum helping a friend assemble his plane when I noticed a very large photo displayed on the wall of the hanger.  As you can see this photo was taken in 1947 at Adak but what really caught my attention were the numerous flat fender Jeeps with hardtops driving on the base.  I took a close up photo of a cluster of these Jeeps even though the image is rather grainy but I thought you’d like to see it anyway.”

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Labeling these 1 – 5 starting from the left, jeeps #1 and #3 look to have the same top. #2’s top is extended in the rear. #4 has no side windows. #5 I can’t see as well.

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There’s a jeep near the top, again with a hardtop.

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The full photo is in the background above the rare Boeing YL-15, which Paul’s friend has restored. The plane was built to win a military contract. The wings, tail and flaps come off quickly so the plane can be carried by a 6 by or towed by a Jeep.

Here’s an mocked-up example of a jeep pulling the plane:

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And this shows a truck carrying it:truck-hauling-yl-15-lores

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Jeep Parts Needed

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I’m sure this has cycled elsewhere, but it’s just so true …. thanks to Steve for forwarding.

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1943 Letter w/ Jeep Illustration at Top on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s a letter on a jeep illustrated letterhead, one I’ve never seen.

“An original World War Two letter including the envelope written by Cliff Brandow who was in the 256th Field Artillery. This letter is dated Oct. 18, 1943. It has the logo of a jeep with soldiers and says, Camp Gordon Augusta Georgia. I currently have other letters written by this individual listed. The letter is in very good condition, with some light wear, the cover has wear.”

View all the information on eBay

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Just a Couple Updates Tonight

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I got back late from Seattle late last night, so just a couple updates. Several readers asked if I got anything done on Biscuit while there, but (as Mitch can attest, because he dropped by) I took an hour to stare at the jeep, but between minor book fixes, caring for dad, and sonny-do projects, I didn’t have  much extra time.

On my way home I stopped by to visit Roy Williams and his friend, Todd Francis. Todd is the 2nd or 3rd largest manufacturer of two-piece high performance VW blocks in the world. He ships them all around the planet. It was a real treat to watch the blocks being milled, drilled, and cleaned. His racing buggy was pretty cool, too. I didn’t have my camera with me, so no pics.

You can learn more about them on Facebook or at his website (which will be receiving a makeover sometime soon).

tf1-vs-aluninum-case-todd-francis

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Hundreds of M-606s

• CATEGORIES: Features, M-606 (military CJ-3B), Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Blaine spotted this great photo showing hundreds of what appear to be M-606s about ready to be shipped to Iran in 1962. It’s part of an article in the Toledo Blade about the 75th anniversary of the Willys-Overland-produced jeep.

http://www4.toledoblade.com/Automotive/2016/04/25/Toledo-to-mark-Jeep-s-75th-in-August-fest.html

m606s-ready-for-iran

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The Australian Combat 6 & Sportster CJ-5s

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, CJ5, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Maury ran across this rare CJ-5 and figured few people knew about it (I’ve never written anything about it). Kaiser Jeep of Australia built what they called Jeep Combat 6, a CJ-5 derivative. They had Ford 170ci straight 6 motors, the same engine used in the early Mustangs. It was the Australian answer to the Dauntless V6 being installed Stateside.

About 460 Jeep Combat 6 vehicles were made. Of the 460, it is unknown how many were CJ5’s or CJ6’s, as all documented records were either lost or destroyed. The chassis and the tubs were imported from Kaiser’s US plant and assembled with the Ford engines in Brisbane. Here’s photos of 1968 Combat 6 that was for sale about a year ago in Australia:

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You can learn more about them at the CJ-3B page (scroll down to the page’s bottom). Here’s an example of a Combat 6 brochure.

According to the 3B page, the Combat 6 marketing didn’t last for long. The Australian arm of Kaiser Jeep dropped the Combat 6 brand, possibly replacing it with the Sportster. As you can see in this ad that was for sale on Australia’s eBay, the Sportster CJ-5 had the inline 6. If anyone has more info, please let me know. I couldn’t find much on these.

sportster-6-cj5-australia-brochure2 sportster-6-cj5-australia-brochure3

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