M38A1 in Aust. army

[Ron King]

I very strongly suspect the so called M38A1s tested by the Aust army were not.
The Aust testing pics lack features of a true M38A1, like the lifting loops on the front bumper and the correct body features.
True M38A1 jeeps were 24volt electrics with waterproof/suppressed igniton system.
Bell housing and dist could be pressurised by the exhaust system.
True M38A1 had a full on M series dash board.
The shovel was fitted up under the bonnet.
The battery compartment was water proof and there was a big round cut out just behind the RHS front guard.
The Aust CJ5s tested by the Aust army were most likely fitted locally with miltiary fittings, but no where near the M38A1 standard.

Local CJ5/6s produced in Aust did have some features of military vehicles in the body work like the export open up windscreen and the battery compartment lid was welded fixed to the body work and a single battery fitted in the engine bay, a snorkel cut out was some times provided in the bonnet like the M38A1.
Standard colour supplied was army green
The M38A1 had different wheels in aust models.
Aust produced CJ5/6s tended to have locally produced lucas generator, dist and starter.
The gearbox was slightly different and the diffs/axles tended to be local Borg Warner items.
The Brakes were slightly different, depending on exact year model and production .
Aust tested jeeps were very most likely much different from the M38A1( the M38A1 being a better vehicle all round )
I have owned a Aussie CJ3B and still own a Aussie CJ6 which I have had for more than 27 years.

[Ron King]

[Ron King]

It is worth noteing the driving position of aussie produced CJ series jeeps from the factory was very poor, as it was very low and not adjustable, which made seeing over the bonnet hard at times.
Note the extra tall cushions on mine to componsate and the seat has been moved back slightly.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ron King

I very strongly suspect the so called M38A1s tested by the Aust army were not.

Ron,

You could well be right. Willys / Kaiser also sold their Jeep to Armies without the interference of the US military, for example the Netherlands (when they were fighting a colonial war with Indonesia), Israel and Switzerland. Pics below show the Swiss Army militarized CJ-5, which is nothing more than a CJ-5 painted olive drab and fited with a military type folding top, black-out lighting and some other minor modifications like a shovel fitted under the body. The Swiss even had a 24-volt radio version.



These militarised CJ-5s are not to be confused with the M606A2 / A3, another militarised version of the CJ-5 manufactured for the US government for MDAP supply to friendly countries.



Regards,
Hanno

[AUSM38A1]

The jeep in the photo from willamstown airbase sure looks like an M38A1 mainly because of the recessed headlights in the front grille it also has the lift rings but yes they could be fitted to a cj ..its hard to tell but the front springs seem to be fixed at the front (no front shackles)and its a shame there isnt a shot from the other side which would show the recessed recepticle if it is an M38A1 ...used for jump starting the jeep and for the jeep to jump start other vehciles...cause it is a pain to undo all the thumb screws to get to the batteries ..cheers mick

[Col Tigwell]

The Australian army purchased an kit from the US army to train staff in airdrop procedures on the C130. When the kit tuned it include a M38 jeep which if I recall correctly was in US army colours and had a USA registration.

The jeep was air dropped on countless times until on the last drop a malfunction took place and the jeep was destroyed.

I am asking loadmaster friends if they have any photos of it which is highly likely.

We also had a M38 at Vung Tau which the Yanks did not back but we were not allowed to bring home. It too was in US army colours etc and never was on charge with the RAAF.

Will revert if more comes to light

regards

Col

[Col Tigwell]

I suspect that the jeep rigged ready for airdrop in the photo was 107422 if it was the ex us army one then it could have a ARN to allow it to be driven off the base.

Looking at the photo this jeep appears to be set up for droping from a caribou as the platform would not suit the C130 airdrop system.

Still waiting for info and photos back from the troops.

Regards

Col

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Gents,

Been offline for a month or so.

Ron: the trials reports state that the vehicle was an 'M38A1', with 24 volt system which 'functioned satisfactorily throughout the trial'. It was also fitted with lifting sling fittings, described as 'towing loops', front and rear. The phase 2 trials report concludes with the statement 'The M38A1 at the time of original manufacture was probably in advance of anything else then made. By todays (ie Dec 1959) standards it begins to fall short in comfort, handling, and durability'. The trials had problems with spring settlement and breakages, among other defects.

The vehicle pictured in the airdrop image posted earlier is ARN 107422. The other one purchased was ARN 107421, and was the main subject of the phase 2 trials mentioned above. It was described as 'Willys M38A1 Serial Number 357144:15719, engine no. 114632.'

There are also several references to the equipment and fittings on the vehicle being of US Army standard, for example, under 'stowage', it states: 'Provision for shovel only - location under bonnet. Not satisfactory for Aust shovel, suitable for apopropriate US pattern shovel'. Under 'horn' it states 'presumably approved in US Army'.

It would seem that, as far as the Australian testers were concerned, they were dealing with a 'standard' 1958 manufacture M38A1.

Mike C

[AUSM38A1]

Thanks for clearing that up Mike..thats some great information there..Gee they where hard in there assesment of it not sure what else at the time would of held up better after being dropped from a plane???...the lift rings are very rugged and so are the springs ...something else i notice with the M38A1 is its alot stronger frame than the cj5 and it has tie down points in several locations along the frame rails..will post some pics ... thanks again for the info thats hard to get stuff... Mick