Original USMC M38A1 FAC Radio jeep found in Iceland.

[Hinrik]

Dear all,

At the sugestion of Wes and Dave (owner of another USMC FAC jeep) I am adding a thread here of my collections newest addition, a very original USMC FAC radio jeep. It still has the orignal USMC hood numbers. Much of the USMC tar covering is intact on it.

I was visting an "older jeep veteran" here locally, geting some parts for my GPW when I first saw this jeep in his garage. I was surprised how original it was. This is the way I found it:

[Hinrik]

I have been collecting Iceland related WWII / Aviation / Military relics past 20 years. The goal is to one day open a big museum with our items.
We are 5 people working together on this, our chairwoman a former State senetor.

Ingvi, the former owner told me that he would be willing to let me have it, just if I made sure to preserve it, which I will gladly do.

Last week, I went to pick up the jeep:

[Hinrik]

I got lots of parts with it, some NOS:

[Hinrik]

Dataplates:

[Hinrik]

The large hole in the dash is for this type of Radio control unit. I am desperatly looking for one. Finders fee paid!

[Hinrik]

About a year passed, since I first saw it, until it was part of my collection. The previous owner had told me he had some original photos and motorpool documents with it. He finally found them, so I can now show and share them with you. The motorpool document is the order to change the jeep into a AN/MRC-35A radio jeep. Interesting to note that back in May 1965, this cost the military $8700 to change.

[Hinrik]

There is a rumor amogst the previous owners that after / before this jeep had served as Radio jeep, that it had a recoiless gun fitted. Aperently my friend, the previous owner has more original old photos of it, one showing it with a gun. I am not sure what to beleive in this. In the above photo is has the normal windshield, but apperantly came with the split type gun windshield when bought surplus from the military. I need to research this.

It does look like the rear panel was added afterwards. Here are photos showing it the way it was in civilan hands. Thank god it was not modified "to death"





I even got the original manuals with it, that came with it in the surplus sale:

[Hinrik]

Some questions please.

Any idea what these clips are for? Could the be for the AN/GRA-6 control box cables?



Looks like remains of sky blue paint on the rear bumperetts, and same color circle on the right hand rear panel. Any ideas why?



Inside, right front fender has these markings. Any ideas what they mean?

[ocwd]

Nice score Hinrick. I like all the connectors.

[m38olddog]

I agree... great find! Thanks for sharing all the pictures!
_________________
Support our troops, past and present.

Dave
M38A1 2/55, MD81433, U.S. ARMY 2A3514
M100 Dunbar Kapple, ?/51, #15122

[BullRun]

Very nice find Hinrik!

I am guessing but suspect that the clips above the radio cutout are actually parts of hinges for a missing cover that would be installed over the control panel of the radio during inclement weather. The Water Proof Electric Company probably supplied this as part of the installation kit as the "clips" can be seen in the period photo of the radio. I have several USMC jeeps of this era and have never seen them before on a standard Marine Corps jeep.

I am thinking too that the cannon story might not be true as the USMC M38A1 jeeps that I have seen modified like this (unrestored examples) have modifications that are so extreme that I doubt even Uncle Sam would bother to convert them back to original. My understanding is the recoil from the cannon tore the vehicles up which is why very few examples are to be found. I will have to look over some of my photo's but I think some of these jeeps had the rear panel intact and some removed so it could be true but I think unlikely.

Also of interest are the number of markings on the body. Mid '60's Marine Corps jeeps seem to be marked more like Army jeeps during this era. I have seen other jeeps like this so there are more out there even with the radio's but they are rare!

[53a1]

I think bullrun may be correct.

Look at the position on mine where the same clips go. They are evenly spaced just over the cutout. The handle was probably added at a later date when the radio was removed.


_________________
'53 M38A1 X2

[Hinrik]

Bullrun, I see your point with the clips. That makes sense. The "University MM2" speaker in the middle of the unit is waterproof "Navy type" Does any one know what happened to this Water proof Electric co in Burbank California? I tried to google them, but no hits. Any members here live close by?

I will add more photos as we find them. Aperently the blue paint on the back is the "de militarization" method. Previous owner said he received it that way from the surplus sale, then wet sanded it down carefully.

Reg

Hinrik

[Hinrik]

More photos:

[Hinrik]

Previous owner was not sure if this came with the jeep, or if he picked it up somewhere else: