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MV 101: Military Vehicle Hobby Info

Search here for information about the history of military vehicles, restoration and painting tips and techniques, show and rally reports, titling information, collecting, book reviews, and profiles of movers and shakers in the military vehicle hobby. 

Southwick Village in Hampshire operates a Bedford OB dating from 1951 during the village’s annual wartime weekend.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Catching the bus! Wartime vehicles taking a different road

By John Norris
A 1943 North American AT-6D “Texan” was joined by a pair of four-wheeled reinforcements in the outdoor display area at the MVPA Convention in Oshkosh, Wis.
6. Military Vehicle Show and Rally Reports

New horizons for MVPA convention

By Military Vehicles Magazine
This M14 with Quad .50-cal. machine guns, would have supported the British 6th Armed Division, whose badge is displayed on the gun shield. The vehicle was a museum display in itself with all the items draped across it from helmets to ammunition boxes.
6. Military Vehicle Show and Rally Reports

Double the Fun! White Horse Show 2024

By John Norris
This period photo shows the variety of military cars and trucks among the 81 vehicles in the transcontinental crossing of the United States.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

The Conquering Convoy

By David L. Burrows
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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
A member of the Despatch Dames riding a BSA M20.
Military Vehicles in the News

‘Despatch Dames’

By John Norris
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
Mary Roberts driving “Amber” the Morris CS11/30F Ambulance into the display arena at this year’s Wartime in the Vale Show.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

The last of the breed: The Morris Commercial CS11/30 and SC11/30F ambulances

By John Norris
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MV 101: Military Vehicle Hobby Info

GM Defense rolls out 'Next Gen' tactical vehicle at AUSA 2024

By Military Vehicles Magazine
Restored and photographed by Bob Devaney
2. Quarter Ton Military Vehicles (Jeeps, etc.)

Military Vehicle Spotlight: 1968 M151A1

By Military Vehicles Magazine
A B-17 Flying Fortress called “Lacey Lady” was sold following World War II and for years was mounted above a gas station on U.S. Highway 99 in Milwaukie, Ore. It is now under restoration at McNary Field (SLE) in Salem, Ore., and will be featured in a museum of WWII aviation. See www.B17alliance.com for information on the project.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Uncle Sam: Postwar junk dealer

By William Leslie
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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4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Austrian Icon: The Steyr 1500A

By John Norris
A lineup of mostly post-war Dodges welcomed attendees to Dodge Dayz at this year’s Findlay Show.
6. Military Vehicle Show and Rally Reports

Dodge Dayz at Findlay

By Rick Forys
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6. Military Vehicle Show and Rally Reports

'Olive drab' to grace Oshkosh, Wisconsin's EAA grounds for the 2024 49th Annual MVPA-HA International Convention

By Military Vehicles Magazine
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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
The long-time crown jewel of the Liberty Aviation Museum, B-25J Mitchell “Georgie’s Girl”, was produced by North American Aviation at their Fairfax-Kansas City plant in 1945.
MV 101: Military Vehicle Hobby Info

Wings & Wheels: Liberty Aviation Museum and Ohio Motorpool

By Rick Forys
A Humber Armoured Car armed with a 37mm gun in 43rd Wessex Divisional colors was one of the headliners of the 2024 WARAG show.
6. Military Vehicle Show and Rally Reports

Intel on the Warag '24 show

By David L. Norris
This impressive and heavy mixed load was transported to a U.K. show all the way from France.
MV 101: Military Vehicle Hobby Info

Getting the show on the road: Moving the equipment is a show of its own

By John Norris
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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
Workers at Fisher Body Division’s Grand Blanc Arsenal in Michigan assemble M10s. The upper hulls and turrets were fabricated on the lower hull and chassis of the M4A2 medium tank. The main armament was the 3-inch gun M3 on the Mount M5.
6. Wheeled Military Vehicles Larger than 2-1/2-tons

The M10 & M10A1: The primary U.S. Tank Destroyers of WWII

By David Doyle
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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
An M3 half-track converted to use as an armored ambulance was photographed at a desert base. This vehicle was U.S. Army registration number 4028218. The entire top of the hood was painted white with the Red Cross superimposed.
7. Tanks, Armor, and Tracked Military Vehicles

Halftrack ambulance overview

By David Doyle
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4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A glimpse at the grandfather of the LMTV: The T23

By David Doyle
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Tech Tips: Tire balancing, thermostats and more

By Steve Turchet
Most parts of the Ford Plant in Windsor, Ontario, operated day and night making war machines in 1941.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Canadian contribution to WWII: Ford of Canada aided the Empire in early 1941

By Military Vehicles Magazine
The Staghound had many features that made it a standout vehicle, including the headlight arrangement, towing points and angle of glacis plate along with the good ground clearance. This example is shown in the markings of the Guards Armoured Division with the “ever-open eye” badge.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A look at the 'Staghound'

By John Norris
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
Jim & Beth Turza attended the event with their 1941 Dodge WC27 ambulance.
Military Vehicles in the News

Home Cookin' - Celebrating Veteran's Day With a MV Show (and BBQ)

By Rick Forys
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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
Demonstrating its cross-country ability, this SdKfz 7 enters a display arena during a mobility show.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A look at the SdKfz

By John Norris
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4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A look at combat support boats

By John Norris
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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
The Diamond Reo 969 had two wheels in front and eight at the rear. The WWII-era wrecker featured twin-boom recovery equipment.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A look at the 'Heavy Duty': U.S. wartime wreckers have long been unsung heroes

By Military Vehicles Magazine
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Engaging Your Automotive Gauges

By Steve Turchet
Visitors cheered as MVCCMI member Jim Tweedie pulled two cabooses and a small tow engine across the yard with one of his M998 HUMVEEs.
Military Vehicles in the News

Army trucks and steam trains made for an awesome show in Michigan

By Rick Forys
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
The Gay Archer, at her mooring in Watchet Harbour, was launched in 1952 and had a distinguished career as a torpedo patrol boat.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A Trip Aboard P1014: HMS Gay Archer

By John Norris
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2. Restoration & Maintenance of Military Vehicles

Clearing the air

By Steve Turchet
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6. Military Vehicle Show and Rally Reports

Mules Muster in Ohio

By Rick Forys
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
This 1954 Explorer Mk II, complete with REME badge on the front, is giving a helping hand to another Explorer at a show.
5. Two and a Half Ton Military Vehicles (CCKW, M135, M211, M35, etc.)

A look at the Scammell Explorer

By John Norris
This 1-1/2-ton Chevy dump is a military unit with civilian front end sheet metal. Possibly, it was built before America joined the war.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

When Chevy Went to War

By John Gunnell
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4. Military Vehicle History and Research

The Ford GPA

By Steve Turchet
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Military Vehicles in the News

First Flight III Destroyer Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) sails away from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding

By Military Vehicles Magazine
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4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Driving Force: Little Luella Bates

By John Gunnell
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7. Books and Videos-Military Vehicles

The A-B-C's of Collecting Military Books

By William Leslie
This M4A4 version of the Sherman, dated 1942, is known to have been used during Operation Market Garden in September 1944.
6. Military Vehicle Show and Rally Reports

It's the Big Dig

By John Norris
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding
Military Vehicles in the News

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding launches Guided Missile Destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128)

By Military Vehicles Magazine
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Military Vehicles in the News

HII awarded multi-year contract from U.S. Navy for six new destroyers

By Military Vehicles Magazine
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4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Studebaker and the rest of the WWII story

By John Gunnell
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MV 101: Military Vehicle Hobby Info

Saluting Readers' Wheels

By Military Vehicles Magazine
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