U.S. Army convoy in Iran during World War Two, with Jeep lead vehicle in convoy. The Jeep is either a Willys MB or a Ford GPW, the two trucks being identical. Now, the Iranians are making essentially the same vehicle.
We've discussed Jeeps here a fair amount. As noted, I've owned three, the first being a 1946 CJ2A.
The CJ2A was a Willys post war variant of the MB, the most mass produced Jeep of the Second World War. Willys was one of the original competitors for the 1/4 ton truck contract, and its the one that basically won it. That Jeep, the World War Two Jeep, established the brand, basically.
I won't go into the Jeep history, as I've already done that. But what I will note is that the next military model was the M38. The M38 was an improved MB. It basically takes a Jeep fan to be able to tell the difference, although their are real differences. They looked virtually identical.
The M38 gave way to the M38A1, which wasn't identical. That Jeep is the originator of the CJ5 style Jeep. I've owned a M38A1 as well.
My M38A1, back when I owned it.
The M38A1 yielded to the M151, a really good, but very dangerous Jeep, with independent wheel suspension. After that, the Army phased the 1/4 ton truck out.
But not every Army did. There's probably a few 1/4 US Jeeps still in use by some Army. And many European Armies use a truck of about that size.
Well, now Iran is making one, the Safir.
And not only are they making one, it's apparently pretty much a copy of the M38. It's body style isn't identical, but it's pretty close, and otherwise it's pretty much a copy of the M38.
And they're getting quite a bit of use in the war in Iraq, in the hands if Shia militias.
All sorts of rocket launchers and recoiless rifles are mounted on them, probably taxing their capabilities, as these vehicles are small.
Now, note, I'm noting this as I like Jeeps in general, but I'm amazed that the little tiny MB is back. They were really very small, and various Jeep developments since then have made for much better Jeeps. But back they are, and like the M38 and M38A1, they're packing some pretty stout weapons. Engine wise, they use a modern Nissan engine, and they appear to have torsion bars for their front suspension. But they retain a solid front axle, as of course current American civilian Jeeps do.
Interesting that the old type would be back, and in this peculiar fashion.
And they're getting quite a bit of use in the war in Iraq, in the hands if Shia militias.
All sorts of rocket launchers and recoiless rifles are mounted on them, probably taxing their capabilities, as these vehicles are small.
Now, note, I'm noting this as I like Jeeps in general, but I'm amazed that the little tiny MB is back. They were really very small, and various Jeep developments since then have made for much better Jeeps. But back they are, and like the M38 and M38A1, they're packing some pretty stout weapons. Engine wise, they use a modern Nissan engine, and they appear to have torsion bars for their front suspension. But they retain a solid front axle, as of course current American civilian Jeeps do.
Interesting that the old type would be back, and in this peculiar fashion.
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