Reference, Wings & Wheels R 046, GPW Jeeps in Detail, WW II Jeeps from the Ford Factories

WINGS & WHEELS PUBLICATIONS

R 046, GPW Jeeps in Detail, WW II Jeeps from the Ford Factories. By David Doyle, Frantisek Koran and Jan Mostek. Soft covers, 8.75 x 9.5-inches, 60 pages. Contains 188 color photographs.


Built in numbers that exceeded a half of a million vehicles during the Second World War, the ubiquitous Jeep saw service virtually anywhere the war was fought, including the vastness of the Soviet Union. As a result, there are a large number of restored examples in private hands, including such places as the Czech Republic. So, when attempting to produce a photo-detail book on the subject of the Ford-built Jeeps, Wings and Wheels Publications did not have far to travel to in order to find pristine examples of this specific type.


The book is opened up by text co-written by the authors; Mr. Doyle should be fairly well-known to English-speaking readers who may have a few publications from Ampersand. Mr. Koran and Mr. Mostek should also be well-known to the modeling community as well. Together this team has come up with a brief, but informed text on the Ford-manufactured Jeeps.


This is followed by two main photographic segments detailing two different restored examples. The first one is in standard fit in US Army markings, while the second has been converted to resemble a British Special Air Service raider used in the Deserts of North Africa. The Us Jeep is covered virtually from top-to-bottom and inside-out. Internal and external details are well-covered as is the engine and compartment, as well as the various smaller stowage compartments. The engine, transmission and drive train is given additional detailed coverage using a stripped-down chassis. The SAS Jeep follows with a number of overall views as well as wider views of sections of the vehicle. The final segment covers the .50 cal. M2 heavy machine-gun and the .30 cal. M1917 light machine-gun. This coverage includes a number of excellent close-up views.


As we have come to expect from this publisher, the production values are very high. All photographs are in full-color; the images are crisp, clear and reproduced on glossy coated paper stock. The coverage is quite complete leaving virtually nothing to the imagination. Unfortunately, and as usual for this publisher, there are a number of pages with no captions at all. So, the curious modeler will be left without a basic knowledge of what he may be viewing.


Be that as it may, this is still a worthy addition to the modelers library, especially if a specific sub-type of the Jeep is awaiting construction on the bench.


Recommended.


Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto


Wings and Wheels books are available from mail order and retail outlets. They can also be acquired direct through their web site at: www.wwpbooks.com.


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