Ian L

Not exactly on topic but I have to mention it.

 

If you read Wing Leader by Johnny Johnson, he describes one of his flight commanders, Cocky Dundas as having come from the volunteer reserve and he always wore non-matching shoulder titles and IIRC he was always taking flak for it.

 

IMHO it's that sort of snippet that makes uniforms interesting.

Cheers, I've been meaning to read his story I'll pick that book up, talking of books have you read Warburtons War ? an interesting life and his last flight was from an Airfield just a couple of miles from where I live. Thanks Ian

Where would I find out what a RAF pilot officer would be wearing if he were flying fighters or bombers in 1944 ? I need an RAF uniform (repo is good enough) for events such as Goodwood Revival, 1940s dance and prehaps the odd military vehicle show etc ? not the full kit as this is not for reenactments, just uniform, hat, shirt, badges etc

I was going to have a uniform made by WWW.PEGASUS MILITARIA.COM

Is there a good book ? web site ?

I have noticed that moving or adding extra side lights was an European thing, and cannot see any Jeeps in the Far East with this mod. Source='The Wartime Jeep in British Service' by Gavin Birch

Hi Robert I've also seen several photos of Far East Jeeps with no marker lights but 2 blackout lights in place of the headlamps so I agree it must of been a European thing to have marker lights and 1 blackout only on UK Jeeps ?

Thanks for the photos John, what book are they from as the 3rd photo interests me most. would they of been Blue/grey or Olive drab ?

I notice the jeep is using american blackout lights as side markers rather than Butlers, I presume in times of war anything goes. Ian

You will also see that British jeeps had the side lights on the wings instead of the American pattern side lights within the grill, John.

Hi John I have recently located 2 Butler sidelights marked 'WD' and also offered a 'NOS' light. Ian

the type shown are butler headlights but as litchy says tractor ones ,the differance is were the wires come out ,ww2 jeep butlers the wire comes out of the side ,this is so the wires don`t rub on the bonnet when it`s closed ,there are also a slim type butler light much the same as the ones in the photo ,the glasses on butler and lucus light are seperate to the backing and are fitted with a gasket and retaining clips ,repro are obtainable or it`s a hunt for an original pair

top tip don`t try putting h4 modern units in the shells they don`t fit ,they are very close but they get stuck in the rim

jonny loot

Hi Jonny my Butler lights did have the wiring coming out of the thread (top on a Jeep) but I drilled holes in the side as you pointed out, any idea where to get the 'repos' from ? thanks Ian

Hi Robert your 2 lamp bowls are exactly the same as the pair fitted to my 44 GPW but mine have rims and modern sealed beam units fitted, did they ever fit blackout covers to these bowls and if so do you have a photo ? or know where I might find the offending articals ? thanks for you help, Ian

Try to get hold of Jeep Pictorial,by John Havers,ISBN 0 946784 70 1. Excellent pictures of RAF jeeps. They all have an RAF roundle on the bonnet and below the windscreen instead of the invasion star. If you have no luck finding the book I will download the pictures. These jeeps were serving in the Balkans and in France after D day. John.

Hi John I tried Amazon, Ebay and a few others but could not locate this book, could you send me a link please mate or a few photos if its not to much trouble ? thanks a lot Ian

I agree, but you need one that hangs upside down with the retaining clamp for the mask the other side to the mounting bolt. Butler or Lucas (they look virtually identical but the masks are not interchangeable) is required. To see if it is Butler or Lucas, look for a B or L at the start of the ID stamped on the light and mask.

Loads of info, cheers Robert. But I would like to know what they both look like so I know what I'm looking for ? could you send a link please mate ?

Also would a british Jeep have one or 2 as most photos show one covering the L/H lamp but I have seen 2 photos of RAF Jeeps with 2 fitted ?

Thanks again Ian

You need to look for a Butler blackout headlight. This one on ebay is not correct for a British jeep. John.

Cheers John good job I checked then, can you help me where I can get one from ? thanks

Hi Guys I'm looking for a blackout / driving light for a British wartime GPW and saw this on ebay, is it correct and how much is it worth ? ebay number 250673115072

Hi Rick details please, could you post a link ? cheers Ian

Hi Guys I'm just about to change my olive drap scheme 44 GPW to RAF blue/grey. any ideas on lettering paint scheme or even photos would be realy appreciated. thanks

Hi Guys I have just dated my GPW 183616 as February / March 1944 using this link http://www.xs4all.nl/~rdrnl/4UWPGPWSerialnumber.html but can anyone tell me where it was made ? its hood number ? where it was sent ? or anything else of interest about it ? Also its engine number 1722, can you tell when this was made etc ?. thanks

Hi Guys just had a 'PM' from the 'boss' asking me to introduce myself so here goes !!!! The name's Ian (litchy to friends) and I reside in Abingdon Oxfordshire.

Main hobby is flying light aircraft for which I've used a 44 GPW as a everyday hack to get me to the local airfield (Enstone Oxfordshire)

I have decided to refurb the old girl (Millie) and take away her dull olive drab paint scheme for a new bright RAF paint job.

Shes going to have a ground up rebuild over the winter months so picked up some Blue/Grey paint from Warpaint at the W&P show last weekend (2nd show I've ever attended)

HELP !!!! HELP !!!! HELP !!!!! I need butler side lights marked WD and the correct Headlamps with deflectors (I have no idea what they look like but have been told I need them to turn it into a British Jeep ? plus photos of war time RAF Jeep please