Willys MB Radio Jeep United States Air Force, Korea, 1950 (1:72)

Wanting to replace their outdated light vehicles the U.S. Military received three tenders. Bantam Car Company was the initial winner but couldn'_t meet demand so the job went to Willys-Overland Motors. Willys was to take the best design features of the three submitted tenders and build a standardized vehicle. Eventually in order to meet an even greater demand the Ford Motors Company was asked to build a similar vehicle. During World War II there was a total of 647,870 Jeeps produced by the three companies; Willys-Overland produced 362,841 of them.

Of the many roles the Jeep performed one of the most important was as a radio equipped command vehicle. During WWII tactical radio communications became an absolute necessity. During the Korean War the Jeep was used for many tasks. One major one was as a TACP (Tactical Air Control Party) radio Jeep. A team would go forward in their Jeep to observe the enemy and once were located the Jeep team would call in an air strike and direct the aircraft to the target. This job was very risky because often the Jeep was visible to the enemy and at first this practice resulted in many casualties. Eventually this led to the creation of the Mosquito airborne forward air controller (FAC). The radio Jeep was used extensively in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Specifications for WWII Jeep

Manufacturer - Willys-Overland

Crew - 1 with up to 3 others

Weight (gross) - 3,125 lb (1,417 kg)

Performance
Engine - Carburetor, liquid cooled, "Go Devil" 4 cylinder (Willys L-head), 60 hp @ 4.000
rpm, 134 cu. In. (2.200 cm3) displacement
Transmission - Warner T-84J / 3-speed synchro-mesh
Transfer case - Dana Spicer 18 / 2-speed
Gear shifter - floor mounted

Suspension
Front axle - beam-leaf
Rear axle - beam-leaf
Brakes - Hydraulic
Front '_ drum
Rear '_ drum

Fuel
Type '_ gasoline
Capacity - 15 US gallons (56.78 liters)
Range - 375 miles (600 km)

Electrical system - 6 volt, negative ground

Tires - (4) + (1) spare / 6 X 16 (non-directional)

Ground clearance - 8.75 in (22.22 cm)
Fording depth
Standard - 18 in (45.72 cm / .4572 m)
Maximum - 21 in (53.34 cm / .5334 m)

Dimensions
Length - 132.75 in (3.371 m).
Wheelbase - 80 in (2.032 m).
Width - 62 in (1.5748 m).
Height
Top up - 69.75 in (1.77165 m).
To top of steering wheel w/top down - 51.25 in (1.30175 m).