This August 1957 article in Popular Mechanics shares the story of these water hunters who travel the southwest in a jeep truck. The article is available at Google Books. Or, you can search for an issue on eBay.
Popular-Mechanics Research Archives
Plans for a Sidewalk Jeep with Coil Suspension
Plans for this sidewalk jeep were posted on eBay for sale. Originally published in the March 1948 issue of POPULAR MECHANICS, the plans are also available for free at Google Books.
A Jeep with a Golf Cage
Steve shared this photo and article from the August 1946 issue of Popular Mechanics, PG 113. You can see the entire issue at Google books.
Ford GP Goes Through Manuevers
The September 1941 issue of Popular Mechanics (pg 3) features this photo of a Ford GP landing on to the ground. The article suggests there was a great deal of excitement over the jeep’s possibilities. I’ve included some of the text from the article (which covers a variety of war vehicles). The write discusses the potential for jeeps, then mentions a four wheeled ‘tank’ with independent suspension. To me that sounded a lot like the Tucker Combat Car.
GPA Pulling a Slat Grille & More
Marc pointed out an article in the 1944 issue of Popular Mechanics. I didn’t realized it, but this issue has a bunch of jeep-related articles. Some of these you’ve probably seen.
The largest illustration shows a Ford GPA SEEP pulling a MB Slat Grille (pages 84 and 85). For some reason, the wheels were removed (photographically speaking) from the GPA.
Page 87 shows of a half-sized jeep that utilizes an icebox motor for power. I featured this picture back in April.
Page 71 shares the “Follow Me” paint markings with the world.
Page 6 Describes how jeeps can be used to pull refueling tanks or ambulance cars in a train.
Page 80 shows off the limitless capabilities of the jeep by picturing a soldier cutting wood from a jeep powered buzz saw in Italy.
Page 86 discusses the finer points of dropping a jeep over a cliff, including the installation of a can over the driver’s mirror to prevent flashing.
Finally, on page 63 we learn about a “Finishing School for Killers” where soldiers learn how to jump from a jeep while it is traveling at 40mph.
Old Warn Overdrive Ad
I was surprised to see this ad for Warn Overdrives in the September, 1965, issue of Popular Mechanics.
Fumigator on the back of Flattie
This short blurb about a fumigator on the back of a jeep was published in the January, 1948, issue of Popular Mechanics and available for free at Google. It doesn’t indicate whether this is a custom unit or an aftermarket fumigator available for the jeep. I see no indication it is powered by the jeep; it may be self contained.
CJ-2A Pulls a Wagon for Hollywood
A December 1947 article in Popular Mechanics highlights the role support groups play in post-war remote Hollywood movie locations. Included is the below image of a jeep pulling a wagon. The article is pretty interesting.
Follow Me Jeeps Photos
UPDATE: Howard found this photo at warttimepress.com on the front of the October, 23, 1944 issue of Junior Scholastic.
Leo was cleaning up his files and ran across this unusual “Follow Me” Jeep photo. He couldn’t remember where he found it, so if you happen to know a source, let me know.
As I looked for an originating source, I found a bunch more photos. I also learned that sometimes incoming gliders were moving too fast for the ‘follow me’ jeeps. In one case, instead of hitting the jeep, a glider tipped its wing upward to pass over the jeep, probably to the jeep driver’s surprise or relief. Here they are:
This was posted at the RAF Forum:
Here’s one taken last summer and posted on Flickr from the Duxford Military Vehicles Day
This one appeared at a 2004 Military Jeep Club of Queensland Swap Meet in Australia. This page is full of military jeeps, seeps, and more.
This follow me jeep was posted at 20th century GI. There are more links to different shots of it.
This photo and article was published in the June 1944 issue of Popular Mechanics.
Ant then, there is this priceless one from the Belgian MIlitary Vehicle Trust:
January 1943 Popular Mechanics “Jeeps on the Farm” Article
Here is an early article that highlights the potential for jeeps following the war. You can see the online version at Google Books. I couldn’t find an issue for sale on eBay.

























