Utility truck ¼ t 4x4 jeep
The Willys MB and the Ford GPW, both formally called the U.S. Army Truck, 1/4 ton, 4x4, commonly known as Jeep or jeep, and sometimes referred to as G503 are four-wheel drive military utility vehicles that were manufactured during World War II (from 1941 to 1945) to help mobilize the Allied forces.
The World War II jeep became the first 4-wheel drive car to be manufactured in six-figure numbers.
After the war, it evolved into the civilian Jeep CJ models, and inspired both an entire category of recreational 4WDs and several generations of military light utility vehicles.
Advances in early 20th-century technology resulted in widespread mechanisation of the military during World War I.
The United States Army deployed four-wheel drive trucks in that war, supplied by Four Wheel Drive Auto Company (FWD) and the Thomas B. Jeffery Company.
By the eve of World War II the United States Department of War had determined it needed a light, cross-country reconnaissance vehicle. Anxious to have one in time for America's entry into World War II, the U.S. Army solicited proposals from domestic automobile manufacturers for a replacement for its existing, aging light motor vehicles, mainly motorcycles and sidecars, and some Ford Model T's.
Marmon-Herrington presented five 4×4 Fords in 1937, and American Bantam delivered three Austin roadsters in 1938.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Recognizing the need to create standard specifications, the Army formalized its requirements on July 11, 1940, and submitted them to 135 U.S. automotive manufacturers. By now the war was under way in Europe, so the Army's need was urgent and demanding:
Bids were to be received by July 22, a span of just eleven days. Manufacturers were given 49 days to submit their first prototype and 75 days for completion of 70 test vehicles.
The Army's Ordnance Technical Committee specifications were equally demanding: the vehicle would be four-wheel drive, have a crew of three on a wheelbase of no more than 75 in (191 cm) – that was later upped to 80 in (203 cm) – and track no more than 47 in (119 cm), feature a fold-down windshield, 660 lb (299 kg) payload and be powered by an engine capable of 85 lb-ft (115 N-m) of torque.
The most daunting demand, however, was an empty weight of no more than 1,300 lb (590 kg). Initially, only American Bantam Car Company and Willys-Overland Motors entered the competition; Ford Motor Company joined later.
Though Willys-Overland was the low bidder, Bantam received the bid, being the only company committing to deliver a pilot model in 49 days and production examples in 75.
Under the leadership of designer Karl Probst, Bantam built their first prototype, dubbed the "Blitz Buggy" (and in retrospect "Old Number One"), and delivered it to the Army vehicle test center at Camp Holabird, Maryland on September 23, 1940.
This presented Army officials with the first of what eventually evolved into the World War II U.S. Army Jeeps: the Willys MB and Ford GPW.
Paul Bennett..."Sono stato un puntino nella vostra storia.
Oggi ho rivissuto la mia storia."... |