GoranWC51

Niiice GPW, for sure. Then comes the inevitable question: How much? Will it reach the higher echelon of the price range? Live well - as always, Goran N Sweden

I'd say: Get the Technical Manuals (TM's) before doing any work on your Jeep. Live well - and prosper. Post some pictures of your Jeep when you get it home. Goran N Sweden

The wood can be of several types, California White Oak (can be substituted with British oak), most hardwoods were used during the war, not only Oak. But not birch or pine for example. I suppose that your Jimmie, being an early one, would have had oak planking. You don't have to use whole planks, i bought kitchen benches ( 90 x 180 centimeters = 35,4 x 70,9 inches ) made from tongue-and-groove oak, for my late model (Febr 1945) Dodge WC51. The planking was always painted OD anyway, and not varnished. You can substitute for another type of wood, but the grain of the oak shows through the paint. Remember to re-use all metal strips and metal parts in general. These are extremely difficult to find, in most cases impossible. Keep those pictures coming. You've got yourself a really sweet ride, congrats. Live well - and prosper.... Goran N Lidingo Sweden

Hi Mike, There are quite a few remaining T-26's acting as gate guardians all over Spain. Franco's army used them up until 1953, apparently. Quote from Wiki: "Ultimately, the Soviet Union provided a total of 281 T-26 mod. 1933 tanks which were used by the Republicans in almost all battles of the Spanish Civil War (very many sources state that a total of 297 T-26 tanks were delivered to Spain but this amount most probably includes the first planned delivery of 15 T-26 on 26 September 1936).[37]" I've read somewhere that 1 or 2 privately owned T-26's are under restoration. Haven't heard anything about this/these T-26's for quite a while. I suppose finding parts for these tanks must be close to impossible. The Finns captured a bunch of T-26's from the Russkies during the winter war. There are a number shown at the Parola Tank Museum in Finland. Most of them are in running order, as far as I know. Do look for those photographs, looking forward to seeing them. Enclosing a picture of a T26 (1935 model) used as a gate guardian at the military base "General Menacho" in Badajoz (Picture found on the Internet) I'd love to own one, they're small enough to transport with a moderately sized truck/lorry, like the M3 and M5 Stuart. Live well-and prosper. Goran N Lidingo Sweden

The T-26 was sent to Spain in quite large numbers. I heard of 1 or 2 being restored by private individuals in Spain. Here are two pictures. I have a bunch of photos of T-26 tanks taken at the Parola Tank Museum in Finland. The Finns caught a large number of them during the Winter War and used them way into the 1960's. Cool tanks, based on a Vickers design.

Hiya Micha, How about letting faux ambulances in? That is, WC51's? Mine is marked as an ambulance of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, as you know. The WC51 was employed as an makeshift ambulance quite often during WW2 as WC54's were in short supply at times. The WC54 size took up more shipping space with its full body. I haven't seen any numbers on the amount of WC51's used as ambulances. The WC51 could quickly be put back into regular weapon carrier mode by removing the red cross markings. 1945 (Febr) Dodge WC51 Frame no: 81741448 Re-built at Rootes Corp. Birmingham in Aug. 1955 before being shipped to the Norwegian army. Purchased by me at auction in Kongsberg, Norway, on April 27th 1994. Live well-and prosper... Cheers, Goran N

I got hold of a bunch of items out of Saving Private Ryan in 1999 from At The Front, just as they started selling the stuff from the movie. Mostly medic's items; helmets, medic's yokes, medic's bags, 2 sets of HBT's, M41 jackets (5), water bottles (4) 1 was used by Van Diesel's character, rough outs and regular boots, rubber Garand, etc. etc. Basically enough items to dress up two G.I.s, one of which a medic. I knew a guy that worked for ATF at the time and he came over to Sweden to study. He was kind enough to bring all my stuff over himself so I didn't have to pay for shipping! The guy died some years ago, aged 20, from an aneurysm in the brain going home from work. He had donated his organs so 4 people could live on because of him. - Have you signed a donation card??? I have. The picture shows some of the items on my mannequinn, Manny Quinn (:-). Yes, he is very sloppily dressed, and he's missing the right boot. This uniform was part of its second movie, "Luck is not an option at Monte Castello" a short film (5 min) about a medic of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force. Hence the 5th Army patch on his right sleeve, and the BEF Cobra patch on his left. The film was shot on June 7th at Colleville sur Mere in Normandy, the surroundings disguised to look like Monte Castello in Italy in November 1944. My Dodge WC51, marked as an BEF ambulance plays an important role in the film. Goran N

Nice looking WC54, for sure. Ex Norway, just like my WC51. The Norwegian ambulances seem to be in very good order. A Norwegian guy I met said that the ambulances were used very sparingly compared to the other Dodge's, WC51/52, WC62/63. The ambulances I saw at the 4 different Nato auctions I went to in the late 80's/ early 90's, were all in very good shape with very little rust and general wear. I know what you mean about motorists not seeing you. I removed the Norwegian position lights from the front wings when I repainted my Dodge in May. I bought 4 blinkers (NOS) for a 1980's Suzuki motorcycle that I will install later this year. The blinkers will be placed as discreetly as possible, with fast-connectors for the electric wires so that they can be removed for shows and such. As always, Goran

Hi Dave, Firstly: Congratulations to buying a great vehicle! The Dodge is nimble enough to be an almost daily driver and large enough to bring a host of friends along for a ride. Tools: I would suggest combing the auction sites, Epay et al, for the tools. The starting handle is a very nice piece of kit to have-and handy when you've left the ignition and/or lights on for too long (hmmm, how could I know that....?) No problem with the handle, just crank it and viola-you're off. The jack is becoming increasingly hard to find. I think prices for a good working one is 1.000 € or thereabouts. Markings: Hm, this is always a hard one. Do you have any relatives, father, granddad, uncle, that fought in WW2? Find out what units they were in and mark it as a vehicle of one of these units. It might be a litle difficult if you're looking at British or Commonwealth countries as few 3/4 ton Dodges were used by them, though. Or be original and find a unit that nobody else has marked their vehicle as coming from, I chose the Brazilian Expeditionary Force in Italy under General Clark, cirka late 1944 to wars end in 1945. I also chose to mark my WC51 (late model) as an ambulance of the BEF, which is even more unusual. The B/W picture with three BEF soldiers in the front seat (how did they fit in there three abreast?) is a WW2 picture that I used the markings from for my own Dodge. The picture was probably taken outside of Livorno on the west coast of Italy, where the medical detachment of BEF was billeted, sometime around October 1944. I got my BEF stencils from Axholme designs in the UK. I was in a real hurry just before going to Normandy in late May and the produced and sent the stencils to me in record time. The stencils were super easy to apply and the markings came out beautifully. Highly recommended! Please, please refrain from marking it as one of the "Aiijjbourne" ones out of "Band of Brothers". I've never seen so many 101'st and 82nd "Aiijjbourne" Jeep's, Dodge's, GMC's, M3 halftracks, M8 Greyhounds, etc. etc. in one place in my whole life as was the case in Normandy this year. Sigh.... The not so well WW2 history educated of the young generation must think that WW2 was won by Major Winters and his gallant group of soldiers..... I might a few odds and ends for Dodge for sale. Contact me off forum with your wish list and I'll see what I can come up with. goran_noren (at) yahoo (dot) com Why not post a few pictures of your pride and joy? Good luck, Goran Noren Sweden

Really super job, Norman. Any idea of how much you could sell one of these superb replica "Schwummwagens" for? I think that there is a definite market for a replica Schwimmer out there. A 4-wheel drive version is, off course, possible to build, but the cost would be prohibitive. I think that this, 2WD, replica Schwimmer will be really good off-road, due to its relative low weight. Keep up the good work, As always

It was for sale at 100.000 € a couple of months ago.... It's being kept out in the open without cover just making a possible restoration harder by the day. Then its the question of getting it out of the country. Bribes, bribes, bribes. Sad, really. In a few years it will be hopelessly gone. As always,

Welcome Nuno, That's a nice looking Light-Weight! I looked at some in Denmark (Midtjysk Reservedelslager in Viborg) that had a bunch of ex Danish army ones some years back. Most were in sad shape but there were a number of really restorable ones there too. Do you have any MV club in Portual? I helped start the MFHF in Sweden in 1981. As always,

I'd take a guess - Poland, Hungary. Hideous looking paint job on the Mark IV, though. Is it correct? As always, Goran N

Welcome Fyll to the very friendly forum. I'm planning a trip to Greece sometime next year and some addresses to Military Vehicle dealers, sights to see, etc, would be extremely helpful. I saw some pictures from a MV dealers yard in Athens, with Ford M8's among other stuff. Do you know which one I'm talking about? I own a 1945 (Febr) Dodge WC51 that I bought from the Norwegian army in April 1994. I've been to Normandy twice, 1994 and this year, with it. It's marked as an ambulance (yes there were WC51's used as ambulances) of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force under Gen Clark's 5th Army in Ialy 1944-45. My e-mail: goran_noren (at) yahoo (dot) com Kindest regards Goran Noren Lidingo Sweden

Hello and welcome to the friendly forum. I'm planning on bringing my Dodge WC51, marked as an ambulance of the Brazilian Exeditionary Force, to Italy in April 2010. I've been to Normandy 4 times now, last time for the 65th anniversary, and I'm sooo tired of the rain in that area at this time of the year. Some pictures of your vehicle would be nice. Regards Goran Noren Lidingo Suécia

Someone has just started learning to use Photoshop...... He should have payed more attention to sizing, blending and a few other things. Funny idea though. As always,

Hi John, Any news on the shipping/postage to Sweden? Do you take PayPal? (the easiest way to pay) Please note: I will be leaving for Normandie in two weeks so I need to get these decals pretty soon..... You can contact me at: goran_noren (at) yahoo (dot) com regards Goran

Hi John, How much are they? Does it come as a set of 3, or do you sell them separately? How much is shipping to Sweden? goran_noren (at) yahoo (dot) com As always,

Hi Daren, I have a set of piping (repro) for the rear wings for your Command Car. Contact me at: goran_noren (at) yahoo (dot) com How about 10£ for it (plus shipping)? Rgds Goran Noren Lidingo Sweden

Bonjour Stéphane, Bienvenue a le forum. My French is not so good, but you're very welcome to this friendly and nice group of people. I will be in Normandie, Colleville sur Mere (camping Le Robinson) from June 1 to June 10. I drive a 1945 Dodge WC51 ambulance. The Swedish group, about 10 vehicles, will be camping at the Big Red One Museum outside Colleville sur Mere. Welcome to visit us. Regards Goran Noren Lidingo Suéde

It's a "Bubba" body. Nicely done but very far from anything that ever came out of the Dodge factory.... As always,

Hello Simon, Welcome to the friendly forum. Haven't been here that long but I learn lots every time I check it out. Out of curiosity: How is the Jeep buying situation in Pakistan? I've read, and heard, that the Pakistani army indeed had plenty of WW2 equipment. But is there a chance of buying and exporting Jeeps out of the country? goran_noren (at) yahoo (dot) com As always, Ps.I own and run a Febr 1945 Dodge WC51 that came out of Norway in 1994. Changed spark plugs, got new oil in the axles etc., bought canvas from John & Mary Worthing and drove down to Normandy, from Stockholm, and back, in 2 1/2 weeks. Never missed a beat.... My interest is in the Brazilian Expeditionary Force that fought under General Clark and the 5th Army in Italy, from late 1944 til war's end.

Toby will have problems getting through airport security and their metal detectors..LOL Glad to hear he's feeling better. As always,

I know of an engine for sale (out of a 1943 WC54) in Sweden. As always,

I met a car designer a few years back, in the UK. He claimed that the closed cab GMC was one of the most appealing vehicles ever constructed. I agree. (Even though I'm a Dodge WC51 owner, which also is a great looking vehicle) The GMC Workshop van equipped as a camper must be one of the most practical MV to bring to meetings and outings. Bunk beds, running water, kitchenette, - sigh! As always,