Atomic Jeep

Anyone ever hear of a Jeep prototype tested by the army and referred to as an atomic Jeep ? Supposedly had some sort of cannon on the back to fire small atomic devices. Turned out to be a reeaall baaaddd idea.

 

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/w54.htm

 

[sing]Davie Davie Crocket! Jeep on the Wild Frontier![/sing]

http://www.m38a1.com/Models/models_nuclear.htm

IIRC, there was a slight problem with the range of the missle being less than the radius of the blast circle ie if you used both you and the bad guys had serious problems.

 

I envision the scene from "Ghost Busters" when Bill Murray learns that crossing the streams is a bad idea. "OK, important safety tip" R) R) R)

 

Ive looked at that setup a quite a few times and it makes me wonder the same thing everytime " With that setup is the jeep the most powerfull lauch platform on earth pound for pound?"

 

Okay. so, to me, my Tuxedo park is worth more. If this wants to sell, what's this heap worth in avg condition? I just don't see a lot of folks wanting one of these. Then again, many don't see the same value in a Tuxedo as I do. Gimme a number, guys.

 

A lot.... they are quite rare, so while its true not many would want it, find the right collector and you would get top dollar.

Seems like the only one I've seen/heard of wasn't even the real thing, it was a Jeep someone had converted over to look like it...

 

I'd be surprised if there were more than this one example in existence. I'd also be interested in the story of how it was acquired. After all, this is a launcher for tactical nuclear weapons ... none of this kind of stuff ever should get to the legitimate surplus market.

Additionally, I'd be more inclined to believe that the TNWs were made obsolete in the European theater by development of superior anti-tank weapons, such as the A10. Recall that these weapons were meant to deter a Soviet tank invasion of western Europe, and a sub-oncotic dose to the soldiers if they had to launch the weapon seems like a relatively small risk compared to the possible escalation of such a ground war. JM wildly speculative O.

Clearly belongs in the Smithsonian.

 

Another problem w/ the idea was giving junior officers command of such a weapon.
I've heard of a few but, naturally, not w/ the tube intact.
I think the same platform was used w/ a cannon. Buddy said he had one.

 

There was a similar (though IIRC not identical) setup with a 106mm recoiless rifle. Easily identifiable (if intact) by the split windshield. And I mean really split, not just two panes of glass...

http://www.m38a1.com/Models/models_106.htm

 

that would be sweet.

 

There was a guy down in Kalamazoo (bout 1hr from Grand Rapids) who had a mule with the 106mm recoilless setup on it, for sale at about $12,500 IIRC. They had one in the military museum I went to in Nebraska, as well.

 

I've heard of ski resorts that had Jeeps with the recoilless rifle that they still used for avalanche prevention, they'd use them to blast the snow loose. Don't know if any still do, but I've read of at least one that uses a 105mm howitzer from the National Guard. What a job!

 

There was a fellow who showed up Sunday morning at the Fall Willys Reunion hauling a M38A1 tub claiming it was for this. I did not look at the data plates but the rear of the tub had some special brackets and he wanted $4500 if I recall right for a ruff tub. If anyone knows any of the MVPA boys from the Jefferson City Missouri Chapter you could probably find out more about it.

 

This guy lives in the township i work for. He had an M37 in his driveway for a while then it was gone. We were working in front of his house and he came out to yak. I inquired about the M37 and the conversation continued from there and lead to this friend of his has this Atomic JEEP, supposedly, and may want to sell. Has some other JEEP stuff, too. Gonna call him this week and see what the scoop is. Oh, there's also a bomb hoist, said to be WWII vintage for a duece and a half. This could get interesting. Can you say " creative financing"? I am doubting the atomic JEEP now and may only end up with a few parts. I'll try to snap a pic, put it on disc and get it here somehow.