Project completed

Little Jo · #1 21-03-11, 02:28

Good Morning MLU's

Nice to be back on line again after the change. I have now completed the restoration of my 1942 MB Wills Jeep and I could not be happier. I found the project exciting and rewarding, I tackled the job with an open mind and the good old Jeep Manual from start to finish.

It was thrilling to finally move my Jeep out of the garage and into the open for some photographs. (Attached) I was suprised by the attention from neighbours and passing members of the public, especially the young ones. I also coverted my trailer to move the jeep long distances.

I would like to take this opportunity to publically thank all of you in the MLU fraternity who gave willingly of their advice and experience which kept me motivated. I also owe heaps of thanks to my mate Bob Mosely, known to you all as "Salesman Bob". for his support, assistance and use of his premises.

Thank you all.

LITTLE JO

Tony VAN RHODA

cliff · #2 21-03-11, 03:23

looks very nice Little Jo. Nicer still to see the Aussie markings rather then the White Star.

Little Jo · #3 21-03-11, 04:41

Cliff

Thank you. I am a proud Ausie and thought that was the way to go. The Jeep had the big Invasion Star on it when I obtained the Jeep. Comments were very positive from MLU members when I suggested going Ausie.

Little Jo

Tony Van Rhoda

Richard Coutts-Smith · #4 21-03-11, 07:05

And the next project will be??????
Well done, quite a buzz is'nt it.
Rich.

Lang · #5 21-03-11, 13:04

Well done Tony.

As the others said, good to see it showing its true history not someone elses.

Lang

Little Jo · #6 22-03-11, 00:11

Richard - Lang

Thanks for your positive comments. And many thanks for your advice during the project. Not sure about another project, though it is tempting. I think I will enjoy this one first, but you never know.

Tony VAN RHODA
Little Jo

sapper740 · #7 22-03-11, 02:42

She's a beaut Little Jo, well done. Makes me nostalgic for the '42 GPW I had before I moved to the U.S. I just might have to get myself another Jeep after seeing yours. I like how you've tastefully included turn signal indicators on your Jeep, large enough to be useful but not too large to detract from the vehicle.
Question: Did the Aussies use American style jerry cans or the British style? I've got two British style cans, one 1944 the other 1951. I recently tried to sell the WWII Jerry can for what I thought was a measly $39.00 on ebay but had no takers. I've still got it if anyone is interested.

CHEEMO!

Derek.

Little Jo · #8 23-03-11, 02:05

Derek

Thanks for the contact. I am happy with my jeep and look forward to having it registered so that I can drive it around. I have obtained 4 USA Jerry Cans to put on the vehicle plus other kit so it will look like a LRDG vehicle.

The German captured Jerry cans were used by the allies during WWII they later also used the USA made cans with screw lid oposed to the captured German Jerry cans flip top, both cans were more popular to the British square cans. I have attached some details from the LRDG equiptment used in the desert.

I hope you can get back to the Jeep some time.

Tony Van Rhoda
Little Jo

Lang · #9 23-03-11, 02:46

Tony,

I think you will find that the British just took the German cans and "reverse engineered" them very early on in the piece - well before the American cans appeared and they were issued to the Middle East to replace the square "flimsys". They are identical to the German cans and far superior to the American cans which are hopeless to pour, absolutely needing an often damaged or missing pourer, and suffer leaks because of the fine thread caps. Why the Americans insist on still using these cans to this day beats me when the rest of the world is using the original German design.

Little Jo · #10 23-03-11, 04:24

Lang

I agree, maybe it may have had something to do with maybe, having to admit the German version was the better Jerry Can, I know the big round screw top is a pr*ck to pour without a large funnel. I am sure it was nothing to do with a "Patent".

Tony Van Rhoda
Little Jo

Marc Montgomery · #11 28-03-11, 15:57

now you can sit back for a wee bit and watch a great film like KOKODA
no vehicles of course..but

courage, endurance, mateship, sacrifice

Little Jo · #12 29-03-11, 00:16

Marc

Yes mate, Seen the movie and enjoyed it. A crucial turning point in the Pacific war but not many movies made about this historic feat apart from the occasional documentary. Not many people were aware that the troops were CMF, (Citizen Military Force) also refered too as Chocos, (Chocolate Soldiers) or Week End Warriors, sent in as a blocking force while waiting for the AIF (Australian Imperial Forces) to return from the Middle East.

There endith the history lesson for today.

Cheers

Little Jo

Tony Van Rhoda