Popular-Mechanics Research Archives

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Ford GP Goes Through Manuevers

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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.

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GPA Pulling a Slat Grille & More

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

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.

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Page 87 shows of a half-sized jeep that utilizes an icebox motor for power. I featured this picture back in April.

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Page 71 shares the “Follow Me” paint markings with the world.

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Page 6 Describes how jeeps can be used to pull refueling tanks or ambulance cars in a train.

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Page 80 shows off the limitless capabilities of the jeep by picturing a soldier cutting wood from a jeep powered buzz saw in Italy.

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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.

1944-06-lowering-jeep-over-cliffFinally, 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.

1944-06-jumping-from-jeep

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Fumigator on the back of Flattie

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Magazine • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

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.

1948-01-Popular-Mechanics-fumigator

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Follow Me Jeeps Photos

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

UPDATE:  Howard found this photo at warttimepress.com on the front of the October, 23, 1944 issue of Junior Scholastic.

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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.

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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:

follow-me-jeep-rafforum

Here’s one taken last summer and posted on Flickr from the Duxford Military Vehicles Day

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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.

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This follow me jeep was posted at 20th century GI.  There are more links to different shots of it.

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This photo and article was published in the June 1944 issue of Popular Mechanics.

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Ant then, there is this priceless one from the Belgian MIlitary Vehicle Trust:

follow-me-jeep-austria

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