1944-45 Jeep Questions

[Peter Phillips]

Very nice looking rig to start with. I'm sure there's a ton of expertise on this forum but I do suggest you also look into the G503 Forum info. Some very knowledgeable folks over there too.

[Johan WILLAERT]

Thanks Peter...

Having been a member of the G for over 10 years; I ad already posted my questions there too...

I know my way about US versions of the Jeep, but have many questions on the Canadian contracts...

Cheers

[Peter Phillips]

Good to hear Johan! I'm sure someone will come up with the information you're looking for. I'll be watching this restoration

[Eric B]

Hello Johan

I will be able to answer some of those questions.

1- The GPW's we bought would have had the USA numbers painted on them as my understanding is that they were painted on at the factory.

They would have been painted over once Canada bought them. Those shipped overseas would have had the War Department number starting with a CM assigned to them once they were assigned to a Unit.

2- Sometimes one headlight was removed or the bridge plate was just placed over the headlight. The other bulb was not always replaced by the earlier blackout bulb, especially later in the war.

3- Fire Extinguisher was usually the US one as it was suppose to come with the vehicle. However it was replaced with the CDN/British one if it was not included.

4- First aid kits were not part of the contract but some brackets might have been left on some of the used vehicles.

- We generally did not mount a decontamination kit on the Jeep. They were not a general issue item.

The Overflow Kit was not acquired by Canada and i have not seen any period photos with one attached. I have seen them with the holes drilled, which means they were most likely removed before delivery to Canada.

The modern Canadian flag on rear bumperette would not have been used nor the RCAF Roundel on the Overflow Kit. The Roundel was used only by the RCAF and units in Italy.

GPW's would have been left in the US Khaki paint, if repainted near the end of the war some ended up semi gloss.

The later issue vehicles did not generally have the US star, (To much of a target) the circle was not commonly applied on CDN vehicles.

I hope this helps

If you provide me the Serial number i can see if it is in my data base.

Thanks

Eric

[Johan WILLAERT]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, Eric...

Haven't checked the frame number yet, will do so after disassembly next month......
Most likely this jeep was originally not issued to the Canadian Army, but since the museum is all about the liberation of the low countries by the Canadians, it will be restored to represent a standard Jeep delivered to, and used by the Canadian 3rd Division in 1944/45...

Cheers,

Johan

[Johan WILLAERT]

Update on the restoration... GPW has been completely restored from the frame up...
Still need to finish some electrical details, windshield and then markings...

Quite a difference in three months (27th February and 14th June 2016)...

03-GPW-FFM-27Feb16%203.jpg
http://s153.photobucket.com/user/joh...6%203.jpg.html

36-GPW-FFM-14Jun16%202.jpg
http://s153.photobucket.com/user/joh...6%202.jpg.html

[simon king]

Would a late GPW have been fitted with a Sheller steering wheel. Surely the steel spoked steering wheel originally fitted would be correct.

Sk