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2 1953 Mighty Mite Testing Photos on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Mighty Mites, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

These two photos show various aspects of Mighty Mite testing.

1) The first photo was taken in March of 1953 and shows a soldier escaping injury from an overturned Mighty Mite.

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“1953 Press Photo Captain CN Raper, “Mighty Mite” test run accident, Quantico, VA. This is an original press photo. Trucks – United States (Mighty Mite – Jeep type). Quantico, Virginia. At a demonstration today of the new “Mighty Mite” jeep, described as truck, utility, 1/4 ton, 4×4, the sandbag load shifted while the jeep was on an inclined bank, the vehicle overturned, but the driver, Captain C.N. Raper of Clearwater, Florida, was uninjured. Photo measures 9.25 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-20-1953.”

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2) The second photo was taken in May of 1953 and shows another might might (3 units later than the first one pictured above), successfully navigating the Potomac.

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“1953 Press Photo Mighty Mite truck water test, Marine base, Quantico, Virginia. This is an original press photo. Trucks – United States (Mighty Mite). The “Mighty Mite,” modern version of the World War II jeep, splashes through the Potomac river at the Quantico, Virginia, Marine base on water tests. Kept afloat by four inflated tubes, the “Mite” is propelled by the oversized serration on the tire treads. It was developed by the Marines for delivery by airlift to terrain not accessible to combat vehicles. Photo measures 9.5 x 7.75 inches. Photo is dated 5-20-1953.”

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1953 Photo of Mighty Mite w/Helicopter

• CATEGORIES: Features, Mighty Mites, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This photo appeared in the August 19, 1953, issue of the Dayton Daily News (Ohio). Interestingly, the original press photo does not have the helicopter in the background …

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PHOTO CREDIT: August 19, 1953, issue of the Dayton Daily News (Ohio)

Here’s what appears to be the original photo:

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“Photo is 10″x 8″in size.”

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Testing The Mighty Mite

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

UPDATE: These various photos show the early testing of Mighty Mites.

(02/29/2020) This photo appears to show one of the prototype Mighty Mites. It’s hood number (179849) is 3 numbers away from another Mighty Mite (179846) that appeared in the press video at the bottom of this post.

“1954 Sikorsky S-56 Helicopter Backing Jeep into Cargo area … Press Photo”

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Here’s the Mighty Mite press video:

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Originally Posted May of 2018: The hood and windshield on this jeep are different from the standard Mighty Mite. This may have been an early prototype. See the photo at the bottom for another view of a vehicle that may be one until earlier than the vehicle in the press photo. (the one in the press photo is #179849).

“1954 Press Photo Jeep being loaded into Sikorsky XHR25 helicopter, Connecticut. This is an original press photo. Three loaded jeeps or 26 men can be carried by a new giant helicopter demonstrated at Bridgeport, Connecticut, Monday. The Sikorsky XHR25 is being built in quantity for the armed forces. It has twin engines, retractable landing gear and rotors that fold, making it easy to handle aboard aircraft carriers. It will fly faster than 150 miles an hour. (Aero-Helicopter) Photo measures 10 x 7 inches. Photo is dated 01-19-1954.”

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This is #197848 (from G503): http://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?t=195524

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Originally Posted September 2018: Cool, but odd photo, given the roadway behind it. Lots of competing visual angles.

“This is an original press photo. Light enough to be airlifted by helicopter but tough enough to pull through knee deep mud, the mighty mite is to be produced by American Motors Corp. for the military forces. The mighty mite weighs 1,300 pounds less than the jeep and is 43 inches shorter. It is capable of climbing an 87% grade and can do 57 miles an hour on the highway. Its powerful aluminum die cast, air cooled engine enables the vehicle to carry a payload of 500 pounds while towing another 1,000 pounds over rough terrain. United States – Army – Equipment – Vehicles Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 12-05-1954”

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1962 Mighty Mite Stuarts Draft, VA **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8000.

(11/28/2019) Runs. Seller has an additional rolling chassis (sounds like it is not included in the price though).

“Engine runs, needs transmission work (has replacement just install) Has several additional parts as well as additional rolling chassis available. And new windshield. Will need to be picked up or shipped.”

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3 Mighty Mites in Eastern Oregon **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000.

The metadata suggests these are in Cedarburg, Wisconsin; However, the description states these are in Oregon (the state, not the town of Oregon, Wisconsin). The terrain suggests these are in eastern Oregon.

“3 m422 mighty mite for sale In Oregon”

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1959 M-422A1 Salt Lake City, UT $12,250

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

UPDATE: Price dropped to $12,250.

Seller believes there are only 12 Mighty Mites in driving condition in the US, but that seems like a low number based on what I’ve seen.

https://cars.ksl.com/listing/5701558?ad_cid=19

“M422 Mighty Mite $12,250 OBO Excellent condition Run & Drive only 12 left in the whole US driving condition independent suspension all original (((air-cooled engine))) 24 volts. All aluminum, weighs less than 1100 lb it does great in Moab definitely a head-turner for sure one and only in the state of Utah”

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1960 M-22A1 Mighty Mite Longmont, CO **Status Unknown**

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

UPDATE: Status Unknown. Was $4500.

Dave spotted this former Ranch vehicle that may have been driven by recording stars.

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“The M22 Mighty Mite is a Lightweight 1/4 ton 4X4 Tactical Jeep, suitable for Airlifting and manhandling

My Jeep still has the Air Lift Hooks and all Military Equipment on it…

Only 2500 were Built and most are Gone…

This was also used at the (Caribou Ranch Recording Studio)
A lot of Famous Rock Stars drove this Jeep when they stayed at the Recording Studio…

{ Own a peace of Colorado History }

This Jeep still has all the Caribou Ranch ( CR ) Logos still on it…”See Pictures”
Continue reading

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2 Mighty Mites Wheeling, IL **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3700.

(06/05/2019) A couple Mighty Mite projects.

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“The body metal on these vehicles is aluminum, so there is no body panel rust.

The blue Mite is an M422. It is very complete, and really only needs seats and a pintle. A driver’s seat and pintle hook are on the other Mite, so those could easily be swapped over. The windshield is technically incorrect, as it is the M38 style. However there are two correct Might Mite 2nd pattern windshields included in the sale. (The most noticeable difference is where the windshield wiper arms protrude in relation to the windshield hood bumpers. On the M38 ws they are centered within each bumper. The correct Mite ws has the wipers protrude inboard of the bumpers.)
The body number is 440
The frame number looks to be 1727
I cannot read the engine number

The silver/aluminum Mite is an M422A1. Included is a correct windshield, a voltage regulator, and a generator. The front-end body aluminum panels are complete and included. This Mite would need some suspension work, as well as some front-end steering/suspension pieces to be complete in that area. Because it is missing some minor suspension components and the front aluminum body pieces have been removed (but are included) it simply looks like less of a vehicle. It is missing the front right wheel and suspension parts. There are also some spare/extra parts included, including a spare engine.
The body number is 3408
The frame number is 3248
The engine number is 1769

The Mites are located just north of Chicago. Both Mites have titles. The internal condition of all three engines is unknown. Please PM me with any questions or offers. I’ll do my best to answer your questions, but I’m not a Mite guy, so my knowledge is very limited. I am not willing to part these out. The M422 is almost 100% complete and would be an easy enough restoration on its own, but paired with the A1 you’d probably only need a passenger seat, rear seats, (and if you so chose) top bows and canvas to complete it.”

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1961 Mighty Mite Poestenkill, NY **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4500.

“1961 mighty mite,Viet Nam American motor serial #1730, 4108 miles, 3000 made, body great condition, aluminum body. I have too many projects. $4500.00 firm, already lost shipping charges. Needs the starter repaired will not start.”

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1963 Mighty-Mite-VW Modesto, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Mighty Mites, VEEP (VW Jeep), Scamp, Others This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1000.

(03/08/2018) I’m thinking there’s a lot of project left on this.

“This is an Original Mighty Mite Army Jeep . Produced by AMC This one has been converted to Volkswagen power. It is not running and is strictly a project. It has an all aluminum body.”

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