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I was wondering if anyone knew if there were any modifications that took place to Jeeps used by British/Commonwealth forces in North West Europe, 1944-45? I'm aware that the airborne Jeep had many mods necessitated by transport in a glider, such as the reduction of a number of items like the second headlight due to weight limitations as well as others, but were unique mods also to be found on Jeeps of armoured forces or ones attached to artillery units as well? Thanks, MK

Rob van Meel wrote a book on airborne jeep conversions, see www.armorama.com/modul...nt&id=4663

The armoured units in the British and Canadian divisions were more uniformly equipped than observers might think. The Fighting echelon had armoured vehicles, either tanks or armoured cars. The support echelons had trucks and universal carriers. The CO may have been issued a Jeep to get around, but why would he not be ready to share the risk of his men and lead from the front? Tankers fight with tanks. For example, Radley-Walters of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment brought replacements into his HQ troop for some direct and careful instruction on how to survive before giving them to the tank troops. He ran gun camps behind the lines on hulks and wrecks. He also racked up enough tank kills of his own to be a modest ace by war's end. Couldn't do that in a Jeep.

British Jeeps were extremely valued as general run-abouts to move people and kit to where it was needed in a hurry or for recce. The Dingos were not so versatile and limited in space.

British regs called for a number of minor alterations but photo evidence shows these were not always done. The main one is that the sidelights were moved from the front grille to the wings and the US blackout lights were removed. Others are not so obvious on a model - a convoy light was to be fitted under the rear to shine on the white painted dif housing. I read somewhere that the felling axe was supposed to be removed (a specialist pioneering tool) and replaced with a machete (general issue). The carbine clips were supposedly replaced with British rifle clips too.

The bridge class marking plate was welded over the Driver's side headlight and one or two square marking plates were welded to the front and rear bumpers - at least for the AoS and less common for the formation sign too.

Check out photos on the IWM photo archive site - Jeep Second World War should do it.

Keith