Would the Willy's Jeep have pulled the 105?
John

Yes, but TWO would pull it better!

In the Tamiya jeep kit you get the option of the "towing bumper," which you can attach to the hitch of the jeep ahead, then try to attach the howitzer behind (I have looked hard at this and it looks like it had to have a raised hitch -- no photos or drawings foond YET!)

the tamiyas kit 35219 ( i think) the latest one has the bumper with it not sure about the old version. two jeeps always pulled never one.

How do two pull ? Freight train style?
John

Yes, the new Tamiya Jeep comes with a front bumper that has an A-frame tow bar that would hook to the tow pintle of another Jeep. Much like when a large RV is towing a small car.

The standard PM for the 105mm is a 6x6 2.5 ton truck.
Like what was mentined, in an emergency situation, two jeeps were needed to have pulled it in tandem. I don't think it's trans would have lasted too long with just one pulling it. This tandem configuation was even capable of temporarily towing the 155mm howitzer.



PS: Bob, I would to find a pic of this. I'll have to keep looking...

I'm ex-Army, and I am doing the howitzer for a Marine buddy, would they have used a 5-ton or a Duece and a half.
John

I think the 5 ton would be overkill. The deuce and a half was the "standard" prime mover for the 105mm.

Good info guys! Glad I stumbled over here. Thanks to everyone!
John

Right on, Ken. The deuce-and-a-half was the preffered hauler for the 105mm howitzer. The short-wheel-base was most often used as a prime mover for the howitzers, but I'm sure many standard-wheel-base truck were also used.

BTW, Ken -- got any more shots of that restored jeep? I'd like a look at its rear end to see if it has the tow kit for the 105. I have an old copy of Army Motors magazine with a period photo of a tandem jeep rig towing a gun, but you can't see the tow pintle on the rear jeep. It would have HAD to be raised because the gun spades are too deep to run behind a standard jeep pintle. I may have to go search the jeep websites and see if I can get an answer.