Jeep in a Bomb Bay
Apparently this was done for real – Jeeps were parachuted to the SAS in Europe, the first time this was done was 17 June 1944. This method was said to work “well enough” though in some operations only 50% of vehicles delivered were usable.
Originally the jeep drops used eight 28’ parachutes - this was later changed to four 60’ chutes. The jeeps were loaded into protective cradles consisting of a sub frame on which the jeep sat, with steel suspension cables adjacent to each wheel; these were attached in pairs to a transverse beam from which the whole ensemble wad suspended from the longitudinal beam in the (Halifax) bomb bay. The jeep’s suspension was protected by two transverse crash pans intended to deform & flatten on impact. Other preparation for “flight” was minimal – windshield folded flat, machine guns & steering wheel stowed inside.
On at least one occasion 6pdr anti tank guns were also parachuted in.
Taken from – “Fire from the Forrest (the SAS Brigade in France, 1944)" by Roger Ford
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