Re: [MV] The meaning of GPW

Sean (loxman@hurricane.net)
Fri, 24 Sep 1999 20:40:31 -0700

My Grandfather a WWII vet told me that in the late thiries and early forties
that the name "JEEP" was given to anything "amazing or possesing unnatural
powers" just like Eugene the Jeep from the Popeye comics. He also told me
that they (sailors) called the old WC's Jeep's until the Willy's 1/4 ton was
called the Jeep. Then they called the WC's "Beep's", meaning "Big Jeep's"
Both the WC's and Willy's 1/4 ton were "amazing and possesed unnatural
powers" Because they could go vitually anywhere, and were extremely reliable
vehicles.
My Grandfather was a Tail gunner in TBF's and later an enlisted pilot, until
he took 3 jap anti-air rounds through his right femur. They grounded him
after that. He said the term "It's a Jeep" was also applied to aircraft that
got them home after they had been shot up.
Just something else to think about. Enjoy!!!
Sean.
MVPA 19447
Mixed up WC-4.

----- Original Message -----
From: COLIN STEVENS <colin@pacdat.net>
To: jim gilmore <jgilmore@oeonline.com>; <mil-veh@skylee.com>
Sent: Friday, September 24, 1999 3:33 PM
Subject: Re: [MV] The meaning of GPW

> Jim Gilmore has presented some different information on the origins of
"GPW"
> and the ancestry of the jeep etc., and I too look forward to seeing some
> proof. I'm trying to keep an open mind and am constantly learning.
>
> Speaking of keeping an open mind - MVPA members may recall the photo I
> published in Army Motors a while back of the Canadian Army's first
"Jeep" -
> a 1936 Ford-Marmon-Harrington half-track. In my museum (Burnaby Village
> Museum) we have the original photo album assembled at the time by the
> soldier with this and other photos in it. Interestingly, 1936 is the same
> time that the cartoon character "Jeep" was revealed in the Popeye cartoon
> strip ... and the Ford GP had not been dreamed of yet. On the other hand,
> this 1936 "Jeep" was a Ford !
>
> Cheers!
>
> Colin Macgregor Stevens
> MVPA Member 954 (since 1977)
> & member B Coy 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion (Living History)
> Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
> E-mail: colin@pacdat.net
> Personal web site: http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net
> 1944 Willys MB
> 1942 BSA airborne bicycles (2)
> Formerly owner of a 1943 GPW (etc.)
> ==============================
> -----Original Message-----
> From: jim gilmore <jgilmore@oeonline.com>
> To: mil-veh@skylee.com <mil-veh@skylee.com>
> Date: Friday, September 24, 1999 12:39 PM
> Subject: Re: [MV] The meaning of GPW
>
>
> >Todd wrote,
> > (snipped text of course)
> >>Pure rubbish. The Ford pilot models and GP were knock-offs ..........
> >pure fiction......... ............totally misleading..........pure
> crap..........pure BS........another >myth........ "urban legends".......
> >
> > OK Todd. I accept your challenge to the data contained in my
posting.
> >I am feverishly digging through piles and stacks of data/manuals/photos
> >here and will ASAP send another post that will verify the items that you
> >take issue with.
> > I certainly do enjoy a lively discussion!
> > Jim Gilmore MVPA # 5843
>
>
>
> ===
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