Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2025 i Military Trader

All branches of the military designate some of their service vehicles to various specialty roles, such as ambulances and security duties, for which purpose they are adapted and fitted out accordingly. These specialty vehicles can provide unique and interesting challenges for vehicle collectors and restorers. One such British vehicle emerged during the early 1950s, when the “Cold War” existed between the Western powers of NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Tensions were high, and both sides had legitimate concerns that matters could escalate into hostilities. The specter of a nuclear war loomed. Countries took whatever measures they thought appropriate in order to prepare for such an eventuality. In Britain, the Government Department, Ministry of Works approached the Bedfordshire-based Bedford Motors, which had supplied thousands of vehicles to the British military during…

After about 60 years of working with, driving, rebuilding and repairing trucks and equipment, including several hundred military vehicles, I’ve heard many legends, stories and myths that go with the territory. As far as stories, there’s the one about four American soldiers in Vietnam who were driving along a narrow trail through rice paddies in an M151 when they suddenly came under enemy fire. There was no cover, no place wide enough to turn around and retreat, but the G.I.s jumped out, each grabbed a corner of the MUTT, and they lifted and turned it around. As the story goes, when they arrived back at base and told of their escape no one believed them — “four men cannot lift an M151.” And, when they tried to duplicate this feat,…

“I’m not a Civil War collector, but I put this display together to honor two of my ancestors that enlisted in Company M of the 14th Pa Cavalry in November of 1862,” says Greg Rearick. “The photos are of Cpl. John Richards and Pvt. William Kirkpatrick. Members of the 14th were originally armed with the Model 1858 Starr double-action revolvers like this one and as seen in the photo of Kirkpatrick. Cpl John Richards, my great-great-grandfather, died of shrapnel wounds to the head on Aug. 27, 1863 during the Battle of White Sulpher Springs. After the war, Kirkpatrick married Hanna (Schreckengost) Richards, the widow of John Richards, which makes William my step-great-great-grandfather.” Have a cool item to share with your fellow collectors? Email us at military@aimmedia.com…

It is doubtful that any commodity is more valuable to any army than is pure drinking water. This seemingly simple statement has huge implications. While Hollywood has oft left the impression that troops in the field eagerly refill their canteens from convenient streams, or that somehow remarkably the water-supply system in bomb-shattered villages still works, these scenarios do not always play out in real life. While the U.S. Army did procure mobile water purification equipment during WWI, very little of this equipment reached Europe, the U.S. instead relying upon equipment supplied by Allies, primarily Great Britain. The lesson taught — that the U.S. military needed the organic ability to supply large quantities of troops in the field potable water — was not lost. Soon, efforts were underway to improve the…

In this modern hi-tech age in which we live it is possible to go online using a computer or other device to search for an item, pay for it and have it delivered to your front door, all without leaving the comfort of your own home. That is all very well and good to save time and avoid crowds, but there are groups of people who actually prefer to do business in the old-fashioned way — conducting the purchasing of goods from a trader face-to-face. There are many examples of this method of buying goods, such as militaria fairs where collectors can talk to traders to discuss things, ask questions and inspect the goods before negotiating a price. Some of these events have earned a reputation that spans international borders…

Before the First World War, Brazil and Germany had what could only be described as a complex relationship. There was pro-German sentiment due to the emergence of German-Brazilian communities, with Germany later becoming a significant trading partner of the South American nation. However, in 1905, a German Iltis-class gunboat, SNS Panther, was involved in a minor incident in Itajaí, Santa Catarina. Crew members arrested a deserted mariner on Brazilian soil, leading to a diplomatic crisis and an official apology from Berlin. In the years that followed, Germany continued to promote its cultural influence, and the Brazilian government declared neutrality when the war broke out. It was after several Brazilian commercial ships were sunk due to Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare policy that there was a shift in policy. In October 1917,…

Best Guesses Q: Tech Tips is always the first thing I read, being a military vehicle mechanic in training thanks to my M38, which I bought 3 years ago. I have a puzzle that I hope you can solve. I was driving the jeep about a month ago on the road at 50 mph. Suddenly, the engine began to sputter and made that gasping sound that you hear when an engine runs out of gas. Then it died, and I stopped. The fuel gauge showed between 1/4 and empty, so I knew it was low. I poured in the gas from my jerry can and after some long cranking on the starter; the engine started again, and I was on my way. Everything was fine. But a week later; the…