M38 Parachute Spools

[RonD2]

Thought I'd post this for general information about a fairly rare M38 part.

Recently fortunate enough to acquire a set of four NOS M38 Parachute Spools (ORD9 page 276, G740-7697488, WO-800047).

Searched the forum and interwebs for information or photos about this seldom seen part with no joy.
It's not clear they were ever used in service.

The spools apparently replace the front and rear lifting shackle rings (mounted on the front bumper and inside the rear bumperettes) to rig the M38 for air drop by parachute.
Either the lifting shackle rings are in place or the spools are in place --- impossible to mount both at the same time.

Unless I missed it, being listed in the ORD9 lends me to think they'd be mentioned somewhere in the manuals, at least to say where they (or the lifting rings) get stowed when one or the other isn't being used.
Would the Army list them in the ORD9 (to be carried) but not issue them?

Perhaps the Army decided the spools are specialized gear and gave them all to parachute rigger teams (only issued to Airborne units)?
I can imagine air dropping M38's wasn't very common.
Might explain why spools are so seldom seen after 70 years?

A quick look in the ORD9 for the M38A1 --- no parachute spools listed.
The M38A1 uses the same lifting rings and mounting brackets as the M38.

The photo on the right was provided by the seller I acquired the spools from.

[wesk]

They were used occasionally but not very often:

This photo is in our photo album of period photos:



Here's an A1:



Here's an A1 using the original lift rings:



Here's an M38 that didn't use the lift rings or reels:

[BobW]

Here are a couple photos of an M38-A1 ready for airdrop....

[wesk]

There is also more info on the M38A1 to be found in this manual's Chapter 10.



You can download the 14 pages of Chapter 10 from my photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php

[whydahdvr]

Wes, is there a copy of that manual I can download? I'm interested in setting up my jeep as an airborne unit jeep and would like to have that to help in practical applications.

Thanks.

[wesk]

This manual only addresses the M38A1 & M151.

[4x4M38]

I recall a discussion here about the common debts in the cowl where the rear of the fenders dented it.

It was suggested possibly caused by air drop flexing the vehicle slightly as the front and rear wheels hit the ground.

[RonD2]

I recall a discussion here about the common debts in the cowl where the rear of the fenders dented it.

It was suggested possibly caused by air drop flexing the vehicle slightly as the front and rear wheels hit the ground.

Hi Brian,
Looked but couldn't find that thread about cowl dents.

I'd bet "flexing" was more than "slight".
Gotta wonder how many air dropped M38's were never "quite right" again after that.....crab-walking down the road, etc.

[4x4M38]

Hey Ron,
Found it under “Fender”
Lol

The suggested cause was lifting by the shackles.
Guess I just mentally went one step further!

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... ender+dent

Take care,

[RonD2]

Hi Brian,
Thanks for the thread.....interesting.
What are the odds two lift-dented jeeps in one thread 70 years later?

I bet more jeeps were sling loaded than air dropped.
Back in the day before RO-RO ships.
Not many helos back then had a ton and a half lift capacity.

And I wonder the need to sling load a jeep under a helo in the first place.
With limited lift weight capacity and range, somebody must need it pretty bad (why not just drive it there?).
Probably training just to say we can and to play with concepts.

Ammo and water are much more important cargo than a jeep.....especially if you're surrounded in Indian Country.

[4x4M38]

Haha!
Yes, sling sounds more practical.

But air drop veteran jeep just sounds so ouch more cool!!

Take care Ron,