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Steve Turchet

Articles From This Author

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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Ethanol warning, barn finds and where has all the rubber gone in this installment of 'Tech Tips'

By Steve Turchet
The angle of the tow-bar between the two vehicles is important. Level is ideal. If the angle of the tow-bar, either up or down, is extreme, during a hard stop the towed vehicle may try to climb or dive under the towing vehicle, which can bend or break the tow-bar.
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Flat lining like a pro

By Steve Turchet
After firing a spotting round from either a 20mm (M28) or a 37mm (M29) gun attached to the Davy Crockett launch tube to determine the proper distance and angle for the target, the crew inserted a propellant charge down the muzzle, followed by a metal piston. They then loaded the sub-caliber spigot on the rear of the M388 projectile into the barrel of the launcher like a rifle grenade.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

The Atomic Jeep!

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Rust never sleeps, transfer case mounting and dual shifters in this installment of 'Tech Tips'

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Know your vehicle, assuming the worst, hot tanking blocks, speedometers and more in this installment of 'Tech Tips'

By Steve Turchet
Schwimmwagens were produced by the Volkswagen factory at Fallersleben /Stadt des KdF-Wagens and Porsche’s facilities in Stuttgart; with the bodies made by Ambi Budd in Berlin. 15,584 Type 166 Schwimmwagen were produced from 1941 through 1944; 14,276 at Fallersleben and 1,308 by Porsche. Although over 20,000 G.M.C. DUKW amphibious trucks were produced during WWII, the Volkswagen Type 166 Schwimmwagen is considered to be the most-produced amphibious car in history.
8. Amphibious Military Vehicles

It's the Schwimmwagen

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Trans pressure, fuel pumps, HMMWV upgrades, jacks and more in this military vehicle 'Tech Tips' installment

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Autocar ailments, fuel pumps, staying balanced and more in this installment of Military Vehicle's 'Tech Tips'

By Steve Turchet
A heavily loaded DUKW coming ashore. It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of all supplies that came ashore from June 6, 1944 to mid-July, 1944 were carried by DUKWs.
8. Amphibious Military Vehicles

DUKWs on D-Day

By Steve Turchet
Slightly larger than the Studebaker Weasel is the Pontiac Otter. While a rugged and very interesting full-tracked amphibian, they are relatively rare today, and parts are very hard to find.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Making Tracks With a Tracked Historic Military Vehicle

By Steve Turchet
Tech-Tips-Jeep-Color
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Tech Tips: Tire balancing, thermostats and more

By Steve Turchet
Take a good look at your deuce’s tires for aging, cracks or excessive wear. Replace any questionable tires. (This M35A1 appears to have a new set.) Fix any slow leaks. They have a habit of becoming fast leaks on long trips. If the wheels are out of balance, bent, or if the vehicle shimmies, fix these problems.
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Keeping your Deuce... Mission Capable

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Grinding gears, polishing compound, ignition coil resistance and more in this installment of Military Vehicle's 'Tech Tips'

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Gas tanks, clutch issues and more in this installment of Military Vehicle's 'Tech Tips'

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Engaging Your Automotive Gauges

By Steve Turchet
Unless you have a fully-restored vintage HMV, or a time-period vehicle where the type and appearance of a battery is important, there is usually a wide range of battery choices, including price. In regard to vintage HMVs, how important it is that a battery looks correct is entirely up to you. While a modern smooth-top plastic-cased 6-volt battery does look out of place in a 1942 GPW, there are reproduction batteries that look like the original “tar-tops” with external cell connectors and hard-rubber cases.
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Don't batter your battery

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Clearing the air

By Steve Turchet
The Willys MT was evaluated by the U.S. Army Transport Command in 1943 and was praised for its rough-terrain abilities and overall performance, yet was ultimately rejected. However, it should be remembered that the Army had also rejected the very rugged Ford GTB “Burma Jeep,” and had also initially rejected the supremely successful GMC DUKW.
2. Quarter Ton Military Vehicles (Jeeps, etc.)

The Super Jeep

By Steve Turchet
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4. Military Vehicle History and Research

The Ford GPA

By Steve Turchet
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9. Military Trailers

Happy Trails, Happy Trailers

By Steve Turchet
If you have a winch on your HMV, you may need or want to use it, so it should be kept well maintained. You should also be aware that there are few pieces of HMV equipment that can be as dangerous as a winch in the hands of an inexperienced or careless operator.
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Winches 101!

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Tech Tips: Rust never sleeps, dim bulbs and more

By Steve Turchet
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4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Humvee History

By Steve Turchet
A REO M35A2 with full canvas. This one appears to be fitted for communications.
5. Two and a Half Ton Military Vehicles (CCKW, M135, M211, M35, etc.)

Dubbing a Deuce: The REO M35

By Steve Turchet
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7. Tanks, Armor, and Tracked Military Vehicles

Half-tracks from Europe

By Steve Turchet
M715 cab and chassis leaving the factory, after which one of four basic rear bodies would be fitted. Virtually all M715s were built on the same frame, regardless of body style or the addition of a winch. Note the “out” position of the front lifting shackles.
2. Quarter Ton Military Vehicles (Jeeps, etc.)

The M715:The Other Military Jeep

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Military Vehicles Magazine Tech Tips: Frozen engines, wipers and more

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Transfer Case Training 101

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Military Vehicles Magazine Tech Tips: knocks, tachs, enhanced HMMWVs and more

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Tech Tips: Voltage, Cables, Batteries, Knocks and More

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Tech Tips: Brake fluid, oil pressure, dim bulbs and more

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Tech Tips: Storage systems and going into the deep

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Don't let your transmission slip away

By Steve Turchet
Lombard’s later half-track machines were powered by gasoline or diesel engines.
7. Tanks, Armor, and Tracked Military Vehicles

A short history of half-tracks

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Tech Tips: Humvees go on, M135 engine swap and more

By Steve Turchet
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3. Half to Three Quarter Ton Vehicles (Mules, WCs, M37s, etc.)

Were Willy's FC Jeeps too 'forward' for the military?

By Steve Turchet
STop the Shimmy
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Does Your Historic Military Vehicle "Dance?" on the Road?

By Steve Turchet
After warming-up the engine — the oil pan should be hot to touch — remove the oil pan plug and drain the oil into a suitable container. While this is going on, open the oil filter’s case by unscrewing the large bolt on top. On some filters this bolt is removable from the cover, but on others it isn’t, so don’t try to pull it out if it doesn’t want to come out. Then remove the cover. Oil shouldn’t pour out when you do this, but it’s wise to be prepared. If the cover is stuck, tap it gently upward with a wrench or small hammer. For a minimum of mess, don’t remove the filter element yet. Instead, get a coffee can or other container — one that’s obviously large enough to hold all the oil in the filter — remove the drain plug from the bottom of the filter case, and let the oil drain into the can. Wait awhile so most of the oil drains out of the element. Five minutes is usually sufficient.
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Servicing Your HMV Oil Filter

By Steve Turchet
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4. 1 to 2-ton Vehicles (M715s,CUCVs, HMMWVs, GTBs, G-506s, etc.)

HMMWVs in the Hobby Part I: Have you considered your own surplus HUMVEE?

By Steve Turchet
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Tech Tips 2020 no. 5

By Steve Turchet
Tech tips Jeep
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Tech Tips 2020 no. 4

By Steve Turchet
Tech tips Jeep
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Tech Tips 2020 no. 3

By Steve Turchet
Tech tips Jeep
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Tech Tips 2020 no. 2

By Steve Turchet
Tech tips Jeep
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Tech Tips 2020 no. 1

By Steve Turchet
There are two basic types of lighting systems found on most common U.S. military vehicles in the MV hobby. These are the WWII type (shown here) and the post-war, or M-series, systems. Although the systems themselves are similar, many of their components and switches are different.
MV 101: Military Vehicle Hobby Info

MV Lighting Systems

By Steve Turchet
Tech tips Jeep
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Military Vehicle Tech Tips December 2019

By Steve Turchet
A typical single-circuit master cylinder as used on many MVs with “suspended” clutch and brake pedals, such as M151s and M715s. To ensure long life of both master and wheel cylinders, brake fluid should be drained and renewed every two years.
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Brake Systems Basics

By Steve Turchet
Some MVs, such as the CCKW, have a strainer screen in the oil pan. This screen should be removed and cleaned every time the oil is changed.
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Changing Your MV’s Oil

By Steve Turchet
There are two basic types of mechanical parking brake systems used on most vehicles with hydraulic service brakes, as well as on many vintage vehicles equipped with air brakes. The first type, shown here, uses a drum or disk on the transmission or the transfer case output. When the brake is applied it locks the drive shaft so the vehicle’s rear wheels can’t turn. This system is used on many common collector military vehicles, including most jeeps, Dodge WCs and M37s, Kaiser M715s, some early model HMMVWs, most deuce-and-a-halfs, five-ton trucks, and also on many larger vehicles and construction or material-handling equipment. This CCKW example uses an external contracting band type brake.
2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

MV Parking Brake Service

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicle Tech Tips

Tech Tips: September 2019 Edition

By Steve Turchet