SAS jeep project

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by eb43bsa

Hello to all

I have recently picked up a willy's jeep and am wanting to do it up as a desert jeep. I am trying to gather some photos and info to assist during the build mainly of items such as the jerry can holders on the hood and in the rear. I havn't found any good detail pictures to show these items.

I am also trying to work out how the extra tire was mounted. as the original wheel is over the centre line i have seen some with the extra wheel ofset to the left hand side on a tyre carrier. others with the original bracket moved so the two wheels are spaced evenly both mounted on carriers. and another that didn't seem to use any wheel carrier and seemed to use the bumpers as the support
The couple of original photos i found show the front of the jeeps but do any exist showing the rear of the jeep that may clear this up.
Any info or pictures would be appreciated

Thanks Eben

Hi Eben

I am into desert type jeeps, though mine is a cheap version. I think during the desert campaign the LRDG vehicles were altered to the whim of the guys using them. If you google LRDG you will find heaps to help you. I have attached a few photos of my Jeep at a club outing taken at the Jamestown Airshow Re-enactment. I hope you enjoy doing up your Jeep as much as I did,

Cheers

Tony

[Mike K]

I read a book years ago about the SAS ? units and the Jeeps they modified to be dropped into occupied Europe for the behind the lines resistance groups to use . These units were often a official British army setup, working with the resistance . These were highly mobile groups harassing the Germans , quick strikes , then get out . The Jeeps bristled with various machine guns . Sometimes, the plans went wrong and the Jeeps got shot up badly . Something along the lines of Popskis private army .

I think some the Jeeps were even dropped by parachute into the more remote forest areas , most of those Jeeps were not driveable after hitting the ground.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

As luck would have it, I have just been sent a copy of "The Phantom Major" (The story of David Stirling and the SAS Regiment) by Virginia Cowles 1958.
The Jeeps were certainly a disposable item, and as there was continual improvments and modifications to all the vehicles that the SAS used as such I doubt that there was ever a definitive list of exacting modifications.
The first Jeeps carried 2 pairs of the Vickers "K" machine gun, one facing forward, one rear, both on the RHS. The "K" was used because (the army was unable/willing to supply machine guns) Stirling managed to find 12 of them held in storage by the RAF, who promptly told him to take the lot.
By Nov 1942:
"After a certain amount of experimenting, it was found that each jeep could carry (roughly): 2 men, 2 vickers "K" Machine guns, 12 mines, 1 rifle, 1 sten gun, 35 gallons of petrol, 40 gallons of water, 20 days of rations, kit , binoculars,compasses etc."

Petrol and water alone would weigh 340kg.

Nice pic here:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ite-force.html

Interestingly a pic. taken from a slightly different angle was used on the cover of the book, with David Stirling either out of frame, or possibly cropped out! This pic shows the far jeep carrying a .30 or .50 cal on the passenger scuttle, the "K"'s are on a very rudimentary mount bolted from underneath with the nut and quite a lot of exposed thread on top.
(Edit)just found a copy of the pic I am talking about, it will be the second below, (from: http://twolftfeet.com/sas.html )
Single spare tyre, no windscreen. Well I can only see one spare, but as it is on the drivers side it must be a spare spare! Possibly mounted higher?
Just been looking on the net,and found the pic below ( from http://www.forum.militarni.pl/viewtopic.php?t=1961 )
it shows the spare as being lashed on the back with straps.
It is only when you have a close look at period photos you realise how rough as guts these mods were.
So to sum up, make it fast, make it rough and don't make it like any others you see!
Rich.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Maybe we need a page on MLU Etiquette.
Three MLUers went to the trouble to reply to this question, with no form of acknowledgment.
Another to add to my ignore list.

Only wish I could say what I think!
Richard

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

Maybe we need a page on MLU Etiquette.
Three MLUers went to the trouble to reply to this question, with no form of acknowledgment.
Another to add to my ignore list.

Only wish I could say what I think!
Richard

Hi Rich

I agree, but never mind, we are what we are, and some of us will still always try to assist.

Cheers

Tony