Willys M38A1
The M38A1 Truck, Utility: 1/4 ton, 4x4, or Willys MD, was a four-wheel drive, military light utility vehicle, made by Willys and Willys Motors / Kaiser Jeep from 1952 to 1971. It was widely procured by the U.S. military from 1952 until 1957, after which it was purchased by the U.S. Marine Corps and exported to foreign governments until the end of production in 1971. The Marine version had minor differences from the units used by other branches. Production totalled 101,488 units (80,290 domestic / 21,198 foreign sales). The vehicle saw extensive use during the Korean War, Vietnam War and several other conflicts.
Willys / Kaiser MD / M38A1 | |
---|---|
1967 Kaiser Jeep | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Willys 1952–1953 Willys Motors / Kaiser Jeep 1953–1971 NEKAF[nb 1] 1955–1962 Sherkat-Sahami (Iran)[1] |
Also called | Willys MD |
Production | 1952–1971 |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 2-door SUV |
Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
Related | |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 134 cu in (2.20 L) Hurricane I4 (gasoline) |
Transmission | 3-speed Borg-Warner T-90 manual |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 81.0 in (2,060 mm) [2] |
Length | 138.6 in (3,520 mm) [3] |
Width | 60.9 in (1,550 mm) (body) [3] |
Height | 73 in (1,900 mm) with top up [2] |
Curb weight | 2,660 lb (1,210 kg) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Willys M38 |
Successor | Ford M151 |
Description
The M38A1 / MD was the second post-war evolution of the World War II Willys MB jeep (after the M38 or MC; F engine Prototypes), and the first Willys Jeep to feature the new rounded fenders and hood body design that would become the distinguishing body style of the 1955 CJ-5, and which was carried through for decades on the CJ-6, CJ-7 and CJ-8 Jeeps.[3]
Drive Train
The M38A1 used the Willys Hurricane F-Head 134 inline-four engine, T-90 3 speed transmission, Dana 18 transfer case, either the Dana 25 or the Dana 27 front axle, and Dana 44 rear axle.
Variants
M38A1 MD
Basic utility version.
M38A1C
Modified version equipped with a M40A1 106mm recoilless rifle.
M170 ambulance
Long wheelbase ambulance version.
Welding M38A1 Unit
U.S. Marines Variant
U.S. Air Force DJ Variant
Other Variants
Dutch
Nekaf Dutch variant, produced in the Netherlands.
Canadian
Cdn Canadian variants M38A1Cdn, M38A1Cdn2, and M38A1Cdn3 produced in Canada.
South Korean
KM-41 and Keohwa M-5GA1 versions produced in South Korea.
Iranian
Jeep Truck copies (variously called the Simurg or Simoorgh) produced by the firm of Sherkat-Sahami in Iran.[4]
Operators
Bangladesh: M38A1 MD and M38A1C versions used by the Bangladesh Army.[5] Brazil: CJ-5 and Brazilian-produced versions used by the Brazilian Army. Canada: M38A1 MD, M38A1Cdn, M38A1Cdn2 and M38A1Cdn3 Canadian-produced versions used by the Canadian Army. Chad: South Korean-produced KM-41 and Keohwa M-5GA1 versions used by the Chadian ground forces.[6] Cuba: M38A1 MD version used by the Cuban Army during the Cuban Revolution. Croatia: M38A1 MD and CJ-5 versions used by the Croatian National Guard during the Croatian War of Independence (1991-95). Egypt: Jeep CJ7, Jeep CJ8, Jeep TJ, Jeep JK, and Jeep J8 Egyptian-produced KADER versions used by the Egyptian Army.[7] El Salvador: CJ-5 version used by the Salvadoran Army during the Salvadoran Civil War. Guatemala: Jeep CJ-7 and Jeep J8 APV versions used by the Armed Forces of Guatemala. Israel: M38A1 MD, M38A1C, and Israeli-modified versions used by the Israel Defense Forces and Israel security forces; replaced by the AIL Storm. Iran: M38A1 MD, M38A1C, and Iranian-produced versions used by the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces.[8] Jordan: M38A1 MD and M38A1C versions used by the Jordanian Armed Forces. Katanga: M38A1 MD version used by the Katangese Gendarmerie during the Congo Crisis. Kingdom of Laos: M38A1 MD version used by the Royal Lao Army during the Laotian Civil War (1954-1975).[9] Lebanon: M38A1 MD version used by the Regional Gendarmerie and the Lebanese Armed Forces. Libya: Egyptian-produced Jeep TJL version. Netherlands: M38A1 MD and Dutch-produced NEKAF versions used by the Royal Netherlands Army. Nicaragua: M38A1 MD and CJ-5 versions used by the National Guard of Nicaragua.[10] Pakistan: M38A1 MD and M38A1C versions used by the Pakistan Army. Portugal: M38A1 MD version used by the Portuguese Army. Republic of the Congo: M38A1 MD version used by the Armée Nationale Congolaise (ANC) during the Congo Crisis. Rhodesia: M38A1 MD version used by the Rhodesian Security Forces. South Korea: M38A1 MD and South Korean-produced KM-41 and Keohwa M-5GA1 versions. Soviet Union: Captured Iranian-produced versions re-used by Spetsnaz special forces teams during the Soviet–Afghan War.[11] Turkey: M38A1 MD and M38A1C versions used by the Turkish Army. United States: M38A1 MD, M38A1C, M170, USMC variant, and USAF DJ versions. Republic of China: M38A1 MD and M38A1C versions used by the Republic of China Army.
Non-state military operators
Afghan Mujahideen: Iranian-produced Simurg or Simoorgh variants employed during the Soviet–Afghan War.[12] Al-Mourabitoun: M38A1 MD version.[13] Army of Free Lebanon (AFL): M38A1 MD version. Amal Movement: CJ-5 and CJ-8 versions.[14] - Arab Democratic Party (Lebanon): CJ-5 and CJ-8 versions.[15]
Progressive Socialist Party/People's Liberation Army (PLA): M38A1 MD and CJ-5 and CJ-8 versions.[16][17] Kataeb Regulatory Forces (KRF): M38A1 MD and Israeli-modified versions.[18] Lebanese Arab Army (LAA): M38A1 MD version.[19] Lebanese Forces: M38A1 MD[20] and Israeli-modified versions, and South Korean KM-41 and Keohwa M-5GA1 versions.[21][22] Palestine – Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO): M38A1 MD version used by the Palestinian guerrilla factions in Lebanon.[23] Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN): M38A1 MD and CJ-5 versions captured from the National Guard of Nicaragua.[24] - South Lebanon Army (SLA): M38A1C and Israeli-modified versions.
Syrian Social Nationalist Party in Lebanon: CJ-5 and CJ-8 versions.[25] - Tigers Militia: M38A1 MD version.[26][27]
- Zgharta Liberation Army (a.k.a. Marada Brigade): CJ-5 and CJ-8 versions.[28]
26th of July Movement: M38A1 MD version captured from the Cuban Army.
Service history
- Korean War
- 1958 Lebanon crisis
- Cuban Revolution
- Nicaraguan Revolution
- Guatemalan Civil War
- Salvadoran Civil War
- Portuguese Colonial War
- Carnation Revolution
- Congo Crisis
- Rhodesian Bush War
- Vietnam War
- Laotian Civil War
- Six-Day War
- Black September
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
- Bangladesh Liberation War
- War of Attrition
- Yom Kippur War
- Turkish invasion of Cyprus
- Operation Entebbe
- 1982 Lebanon War
- Lebanese Civil War
- Soviet–Afghan War
- Iran–Iraq War
- Chadian–Libyan conflict
- Gulf War
- Croatian War of Independence
See also
Notes
- (NEtherlands KAiser-Frazer Factory)
Reference notes
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 41.
- M38A1 Data Sheet TM9-500.pdf
- About Willys M38A1: History & Technical Specs – KaiserWillys.com
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 41.
- "Arms for freedom". 29 December 2017. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 16.
- "Kader Factory". Aoi.com.eg. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 41.
- Conboy and Greer, War in Laos 1954–1975 (1994), p. 59.
- https://foro.flotilla-aerea.com/t/vehiculos-de-la-guardia-nacional-de-nicaragua/532/20
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 41.
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 41.
- Kassis, Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon (2012), p. 51.
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 9.
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 9.
- El-Assad, Civil Wars Volume 1: The Gun Trucks (2008), p. 135.
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 9.
- Kassis, Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon (2012), p. 60.
- Kassis, Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon (2012), p. 53.
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 14.
- Kassis, 30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon (2003), p. 35.
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 15.
- Naud, La Guerre Civile Libanaise - 1re partie: 1975-1978 (2012), pp. 8–16.
- https://foro.flotilla-aerea.com/t/vehiculos-de-la-guardia-nacional-de-nicaragua/532/20
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 9.
- Kassis, 30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon (2003), p. 24.
- Kassis, Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon (2012), p. 58.
- Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (2018), p. 9.
General references
- TM 9-804A 1⁄4-ton 4x4 utility truck M38A1, Technical manual (1952)
- TH 9-345 NEKAF M38A1 Dutch M38A1 made by NEKAF, Technical manual (1957)
- Kenneth Conboy and Don Greer, War in Laos 1954-1975, Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1994. ISBN 0-89747-315-9
- Samer Kassis, 30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon, Beirut: Elite Group, 2003. ISBN 9953-0-0705-5
- Samer Kassis, Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon 1975-1981, Trebia Publishing, Chyah 2012. ISBN 978-9953-0-2372-4
- Leigh Neville, Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces, New Vanguard series 257, Osprey Publishing Ltd, Oxford 2018. ISBN 9781472822512
- Moustafa El-Assad, Civil Wars Volume 1: The Gun Trucks, Blue Steel books, Sidon 2008. ISBN 9789953012568
- Philipe Naud, La Guerre Civile Libanaise - 1re partie: 1975-1978, Steelmasters Magazine, August–September 2012, pp. 8–16. ISSN 1962-4654 (in French)