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In search of the story of my M38
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 10:40 am
by elias929
Hi guys,
I did buy my M38 in Florida last month. On the first title the jeep came of Wisconsin. The hood is signing by the war veterans. Is that it tells you something. Here the picture:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QKgR ... 223558.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tfV2 ... 223430.jpg
Thanks!
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 6:11 pm
by wesk
Looks like you have a US Willys built M38 and not a CDN.
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 5:52 am
by xdragoon
Check out page 15 of this article, it mentions Robert "Bob" Jaskowak and the Chosin few
http://www.kwva.org/graybeards/gb_06/gb ... _final.pdf
Look here for info on the battle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chosin_Reservoir
You have an amazing piece of history there.
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:09 am
by elias929
Yes Wesk, is a US model.
The original color is yellow, i think are a old M38 flight line....
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:01 am
by elias929
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:46 am
by wesk
That is a very good story. But hundreds of those stories have been written on the retreat from the Chosin Reservoir. It was an unfortunate set of events set in motion by the beginning of a new warfare methodology. One where the unqualified politicians limited or directed combat activity creating much higher casualty rates then the generals would have if they had been allowed to prosecute the war from a professional military standpoint.
Note that the jeep used during that period of the war was the WWII MB and GPW not the M38. The M38 made a very limited appearance in the korean war starting in the summer of 1952 and then since they were very new and different jeeps they were kept close to the main unit's headquarters. The M38A1 appearing in Kore the summer of 1953 became the primary jeep in Korea almost overnight. But alas the truce had been signed in Sep 53 and the M38A1 became the lead post truce jeep.
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:26 am
by elias929
If I understand the M38 is a transition between the mb-gpw and M38A1 and served in the wars very little. But I love this model and i find this model of jeep very beautiful...
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:39 am
by wesk
I agree the CJ3A , CJV/35 & the M38 were the best looking of the flat fender jeeps. The M38A1 is a great looking jeep as well and is by far the best riding of them all.
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:47 am
by wesk
The primary reason for the M38 not getting into action in Korea was the many differences with the parts and electrical/ignition system required a completely different logistics system to support it and it was much simpler to leave the thousands of WWII jeeps in the front lines and their spare parts and skilled technicians there with them and hold the few M38's that were available at the rear areas where delays in parts and technical help could be absorbed without any serious impact on frontline operations. The Army being the largest operator was unable to field this new M38 during the final year of the war with adequate logistics support. For the Marines, being a much smaller organization, it was much more difficult to support large changes in their logistical system to support a new M38 in their midst in the front lines. The only real evidence to date that any M38 made a frontline appearance in Korea from 1952 through Sep 53 were some Canadian combat units showed up at the front with M38 CDN's.
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 2:51 pm
by elias929
Thanks Wes for the informations...
In the same time, i replace my clutch and if possible i would like to know for adjusting the clutch, the distance between the clutch bearing and the fingers of pressure plate.
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:38 pm
by wesk
There is no specification for that distance. The clutch pressure plate is adjusted on a flat steel table designed for that work. The clutch adjustment done after assembly is the free pedal play adjustment.
Review all the pages in clutch chapter here:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 6:14 am
by elias929
Thanks, the pressure plate is ok, is for the distance between the release bearing and the fingers. I found the answer on your link. The distance is 1/16 (1.58mm)
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 10:47 am
by elias929
I found the former owner, Andy Anderson, here is his story...
The Hero Next Door.
http://books.google.ca/books?id=S9B2omx ... &q&f=false
This is not story the jeep but are part of soul.