SENTIMENTAL MB ITEMS

[Joe Gopan]

There's nothing like a WWII Jeep for us WWII MV History buffs.Been sitting in a Jeep since 1945. I restored mine back in 1971, it still has that new Jeep feel and has never let me down. The thrill of driving it and maintaining it just the way the Army intended is just plain fun and gives me back a bit of my youth and motorpool life. There is another ingredient tho, it is the sentimental value of a number of the parts and accessories used during the restoration. Some of the parts used in the restoration have sentimental value, example, the NOS "F" Script Axe Head Clamp, it was a gift from friend Lawrence Nabholtz, the NOS GPW Top Bows, a gift from Flip Robichaud, friend of 60 years,WWII Veteran and fellow Army trained Jeep mechanic who fought at St Lo and was a source of many original NOS Army Jeep Parts over the years, the NOS Rifle Holder, gift from CWO Joseph DeRoche, 152nd Field Artillery veteran who island hopped in the Pacific from 1942 thru 1945. Joe was Maintenance Shop Chief with the local Maine National Guard from 1949 thru 1976. Another item, the NOS GI Issue MB Fuel Tank from Bud Werner, he had three and was willing to share one with me, my A-3 WWII Aircraft Mechanics Cap, a gift from Jerry Marsh, oldest friend that I can remember, Jerry would be 118, now, he was an old time mechanic who started in the trade when he graduated high school..Jerry worked as a civilian mechanic at DOW Field during WWII and was a WWi veteran.

My Jeep is an MB, and some of the bolt on parts may be GPW, but they serve an eternal mission by bringing back the memories of these fine friends.

[Joe Gopan]

Looking for one more WWII -3 Air Craft Mechanic's Cap. These were a common sight on DOW FIELD Airmen during the Post WWII thru 1952 period. The WWII uniform items were phased out during the Korean War period.

I do remember during the 1952 Armed Forces Day open house watching an F-51 pilot put on a 50 Mission Crush Cap after taxiing up to Hangar 1. Also remember a F-51 in Hangar 1 that I could make out where the name "It's SUPER MOUSE" had been polished out. 50 years later while reading "The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney I discovered a P-51 with the same markings, it's pilot named Dodd had just recently passed away. I enjoyed contacting famous WWII Aces and pilots over the years, Punchy Powell from the 352nd told me about.It's Supermouse and its pilot.
Another interesting WWII Officer that I used to call up during recent years was Col. Nathan Rosengarten, a Flight Test Engineer on many first flights of new WWII aircraft such as the P-80 Lulubelle, the P-84 etc. Col Rosengarten recently passed away at 100 years. It was an honor to spend time on the phone with his wife Irma in the background prompting thru stories she had heard hundreds of times.
Colonel Rosengarten authored several of the stories in the book "Test Flying at Old Wright Field", Rosie shared his unpublished manuscripts about his test flying career at Wright Field, they are some of my most cherished possessions.

[Joe Gopan]

Latest Item us the 40's Dow Field 14th Fighter Group Licence Plate Topper issued to Dow Field personell during the 46-49 period for display on top of registration plates. My MB was sold Surplus at Dow Field in 1946. The 14th Topper sets proudly on the bumper of my MB.
Not all Sentimental MB items are tangible such as the memories/events from all the years I have owned my MB. One such memory is General Chuck Yeager opening the hood of my MB while commenting that "The fuel gage works!", noting that the WWII Jeeps he used "back at Edwards" did not always have working gas gages.

[Joe Gopan]

Kind of late now, most of the famous WWII veterans we all used to read about were more than willing to share their experiences when contacted. Guess I was lucky.

[Joe Gopan]

Another 40's DOW Field Licence Plate Topper from the 40's turned up today (pic will follow later), it will keep my MB company and occasionaly be proudly displayed on the MB. My MB is a DOW FIELD Army Air Force Veteran, it was surplused from Dow in 1946 and only had one owner until I bought it around 1970.
This is the one that I got yesterday.

IMG_3598 (1).jpg (13.87 KiB) Viewed 1256 times

[acespast]

Hi Joe,i not got as much experience as you but there nothing like when you open the garage door the smell you get from jeep. Probably the axle oil which gives the smell or part of it. Its my pride and joy.42 Willys Script.

[Joe Gopan]

And WWII vintage Hypoid Gear Oil in the axles helped give them an unique smell.

[Joe Gopan]

Another item from Bud Werner is the NOS Combat wheel.

[Ez8]

A facsimile copy of my father's temporary military driving permit from February of 1944. Kept in the glove box. The real one is stored in a safe location.