M38CDN
Information Page
M38CDN
The first post Second World War jeep was the M38, similar to the wartime MB/GPW,
with the notable exceptions of being higher, with larger headlight protruding
from the front of the vehicle (not sunken, like the earlier jeeps) and a one
piece windshield.
The engine of the M38 was the same 4-cylinder L-head "Go Devil" design as the
earlier jeeps, but was geared lower.
Ford of Canada assembled 2,135 of the M38 model, officially designated
M38CDN, between Feb and Nov 1952,
with an average cost of $2600 per vehicle (the cost was $2807 for the first
contract of 840 vehicles). All the Jeeps were shipped from Windsor to
Hagersville, ON for inspection prior to military service.
The last vehicle produced by Ford was serial number F102135, delivered on 27 Nov
1952.
A separate purchase order program with Ramsey Winch Company was established for
the installation of winches.
[Side Note your data plate which at top right should read M38CDN WO/WN.
A few, very few, may have read
M38CDN W/WN (meaning with winch).]
All the vehicles also had a
convoy light installed as a field modification, done upon receipt by the Royal
Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Canadian Service
From the files at canadiansoldiers.com Link
Canadian Service
As the British Army suffered defeat in France in 1940 at the start of the Second
World War, many officers found that the large sedans they were using were not
suited for military service, and hard to replace. A requirement was put in place
for all officers of the British Army up to and including the rank of Brigadier
to be able to ride a motorcycle (or in the case of colonels and brigadiers, to
be able to ride pillion). The Canadian Army followed suit with these
requirements.
The term "jeep" was in use in the US from before the war; some research
indicates that the term was used by Canadian soldiers in 1936 to refer to a
Ford-Marmon-Harrington half tracked truck. Colin MacGregor Stevens, curator of
the Burnaby Village Museum, has researched this point in his archives and with
veterans' accounts.
When the United States began production of the Willy's Overland 1/4 ton 4 x 4
truck, Canada tested both the original production model as well as the Willys
MA, the Ford GP, and then ordered 5,000 custom Willys MB jeeps (designated the
W-LU 440-M-PERS-1, though also loosely referred to as a Truck, 1/4 ton, 4 x 4,
and nicknamed "Blitzbuggy" after the newly coined term "Blitzkrieg"). Additional
orders for unmodified Willys MB, Ford GPW and Ford GPA jeeps followed.
It is unclear when "Jeep" entered the Canadian lexicon, but the vehicles
themselves were popular, and a standard mount for officers down to sub-unit
commanders (in an infantry battalion, for example, the CO and all company
commanders had their own jeeps).
After the Second World War, many jeeps were disposed of. When the Korean War
started, surplus jeeps of Second World War vintage were obtained from the United
States for use in-theatre.
Operational Role:
Primary role is personnel carrier
but could be fitted with stretchers for use as ambulance. Could also tow light
anti-aircraft or anti-tank weapons as well as transport light cargo.
Equipment:
Two folding seats in front,
detachable roof and side curtains. Windshield could be folded forward to rest on
hood. Rear mounted spare tire, towing hook.
Performance :
* Bridge Class: 1
* Max Gradability: 60%
* Turning Circle (minimum): 34 feet
* Fording Depth: 18 inches
* Angle of Approach: 45 degrees
* Angle of Departure: 35 degrees
* Average Fuel Consumption: 15 miles per gallon
* Max Speed: 65 miles per hour
Engine Details :
* Manufacturer: Willys and Ford
* Type: petrol, 4 cylinder, 4 cyls in line
* Size: bore 3-1/8", stroke 4-3/8"
* Power: 60 bhp at 3600 rpm
* Ignition: battery, 6 volt
* Capacity: 12 gallons fuel, 9 quarts water, 4 quarts oil
Dimensions :
From the files at canadiansoldiers.com Link
M28A1CDN
The M38A1CDN was built by Ford in
Canada beginning in the early 1950s, as a replacement for the M38. Some went to
the US, others - designated M38A1CDN - went to the Canadian Army where they
would be in use up into the 1980s. In 1967, 800 more were ordered from the
Kaiser Jeep plant in Windsor, ON, and these would be designated the M38A1 CDN2.
In 1970-71, a third batch of Jeeps were ordered, though the Canadian factory had
closed its doors in 1969 and the new batch of about 500 jeeps had to be ordered
from Toledo, Ohio instead. The M38A1 CDN3 had some mechanical improvements over
the earlier versions, and some CDN2s were also upgraded in 1984, with features
such as windshield washers, self-adjusting brakes, and an air filter similar to
that found on the M151 MUTT.
[ Side Note :" Canada did not built the M38A1. We built the M38A1CDN (Ford 1953); M38A1CDN2 (Kaiser 1967-1968) and M38A1CDN3 (Jeep in USA 1970-1971)"]
As the wartime Willys and later
M38CDN were intended, the M38A1CDN was also a general utility truck, capable of
employment in many roles and used by many different branches, including military
police, signals, reconnaissance and medical applications (a longer vehicle known
as the M170 was a purpose built ambulance capable of carrying a driver and three
stretchers, or six seated passengers and was produced between 1954 and 1962) in
addition to carrying personnel and cargo. The M38A1 was capable of operating
completely submerged.
Cosmetically, the M38A1 differs from early Jeeps in having rounded fenders.
Mechanically, there were several major differences as well. The Willy's L-head
engine was replaced with an F-head "Hurricane" power plant with a top speed of
60 miles per hour. Stronger axles were also used on the M38A1CDN.
From the files at canadiansoldiers.com Link
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