This is a list of military light utility vehicles, of the kind commonly referred to as jeeps, and typically classified as 1⁄4-ton payload rated, manufactured by U.S. automakers, in order of first creation.
World War II
- 1940 Bantam Pilot—Prototype
- 1940 Bantam BRC-60—Prototype
- 1940 Willys Quad—Prototype
- 1940 Ford Pygmy—Prototype
- 1940 Budd Ford—Prototype
- 1941 Ford GP
- 1941 Willys MA
- 1941 Bantam BRC-40
- 1941 Willys T13/T14 'Super Jeep' – MB stretched to 6x6 and armed with a 37 mm Gun Motor Carriage. Although cancelled in favor of the M6 Gun Motor Carriage, the T14 was developed into the MT-TUG cargo/prime mover.
- 1941-1944 Willys MT "Super Jeep" — 6x6, 3⁄4-ton prototype — a small number were built in various configurations.[1] Although performance was excellent, the MT was deemed "surplus to requirements" and cancelled in favor of existing 3⁄4-ton and 1 1⁄2-ton trucks.
- 1942 Willys MB (slat grille)
- 1942 T24 Scout Car – MT-based armored car. Although it performed well in trials, the T24 was abandoned in favor of the M8 and M20 Light Armored Car.
- 1942–1943 Ford GTB 11⁄2-ton 4x4 'Burma Jeep'
- 1942–1945 Willys MB (stamped grille)
- 1942–1945 Ford GPW
- 1943 Willys T28 – half-track based on the MT
- 1943 Willys WAC (for 'Willys Air Cooled') "Jeeplet" — prototype for a super light-weight, fulltime 4WD with front and rear independent suspension[1]
- 1944 Willys MLW-1 (for 'Military Long Wheelbase') — prototype (never finished)
- 1944 Willys MLW-2 (for 'Military Long Wheelbase') or "Jungle Jeep" — prototype for a half-ton, jungle-suited jeep[1]
Post World War II
- 1949–1952 M38 (Willys MC)
- 1950 CJ V-35(/U) – deep water fording Willys CJ-3A; 1000 units built for the USMC [2]
- 1952–1957 M38A1 (Willys MD)
- 1952–1957 M38A1C fitted with 105/106mm anti-tank recoilless rifle
- M170 Ambulance
- 1953 Willys BC Bobcat aka "Aero Jeep" — Prototype for a very small, lightweight (1475 lbs) jeep, for easier lifting by contemporaneous helicopters,[3] eventually rejected in favor of AMC's M422 design.
- 1955 M38A1D – a small number of M38A1s carried the M28 or M29 "Davy Crockett Weapon System", the US' smallest tactical nuclear weapon, fired from a 120mm or 155mm recoilless rifle
- 1956–1968 Jeep M606
- 1959–1962 AMC M422 Mighty Mite
- 1960–1982 Ford M151
The U.S. has also used military vehicles that are directly related to jeeps, or were Willys / Jeep branded, but that digress significantly from the jeep vehicle-concept:
The amphibious jeep (WW II)
- 1942–1943 Ford GPA – an amphibious hulled vehicle, similar to the DUKW, but mechanically a Ford GPW jeep
Willys / Jeep branded, but not jeep-like vehicles
- 1956–1965 Jeep Forward Control military variants
- M676 Truck, Cargo Pickup
- M677 Truck, Cargo Pickup w/4 Dr. Cab
- M678 Truck, Carry All
- M679 Truck, Ambulance
- 1958-1960 Willys XM443 / M443E1 "Super Mule" – prototypes for 3⁄4-ton, underfloor mid-engined platform-trucks, comparable to but larger than the M274 "Mechanical Mule".[4][1][5] Never entered production due to reliability problems.
- 1967–1969 M715 Truck — based on the commercial Kaiser Jeep Gladiator
References
- ^ a b c d Cool Jeeps You Never Saw - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine
- ^ Evolution Of Deep Water Fording and the Jeep
- ^ Built to Fly - Army Tests Aluminum Jeep – Popular Science, Feb 1954, p.162
- ^ Foster, Patrick R. (2014). Jeep: The History of America's Greatest Vehicle. Motorbooks. p. 63. ISBN 9780760345856.
- ^ 3/4 ton 4x4 - G503 Military Vehicle Forums