Military Vehicles, March 1997,: Re: Out of the Norm!

Re: Out of the Norm!

Gordon.W.I. McMillan (gwim2@student.open.ac.uk)
Thu, 6 Mar 1997 09:42:00 -0000

It might not be any help for the 20th A.F. but the 8th U.S.A.A.F. in
the UK and Europe made extensive use of Command Cars and Carryalls from
42 to 45 as they were too obviously senior staff transport to issue to
front line units. Other examples of lateral thinking by the 8th were
the use of British Austin 4 x 2 ambulances (K2) so that Dodge 4 x 4
units could be sent for tactical use, and that they used some
Studebaker 6x6 and 6x4s which were "limited standard" for the same
reason.

My Dodges (WC56 and WC53) are marked;

8* 306BG=0986
and
8*306BG=0987

on the bumper codes, along with 3 colour star on the early 42 WC56 and
2 colour star on the later 42 WC53.

I suspect you need a good reference book on the 20th, and just find an
example. It does look better if you can get the markings absolutely
right, though.

Gordon 8-)

Just so this message isn't without the ususal 151/Gama/etc content
---- I have seen both M151s and Gama Goats sold legally in Europe by
dealers, I dont suppose anyone would bother re-importing them to the
US, but they do appear to have been sold legally, no Hummers though.