Armored Willys MB Jeep w/ Dual Bazookas

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Armored Willys MB Jeep w/ Dual Bazookas

   Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest an armored Willys MB equipped with dual 60mm M1A1 Bazookas as a potential addition to the US ground vehicles tech tree in War Thunder.

History

Background

The Willys MB, also produced under license by Ford as the GPW, was officially designated by the US Army as the ¼-ton 4x4 truck, with the standardized vehicle designation G-503. However, it became universally known as the “Jeep.” This vehicle emerged as the most iconic and recognizable American utility truck of World War II. Renowned for its speed, durability, and unparalleled versatility, the Jeep became the backbone of the US military’s logistical and tactical operations, effectively replacing horses and many transport vehicles as its workhorse.

Between 1940 and 1941, the US military faced a significant disadvantage due to its lack of standardized motor vehicles, especially in contrast to Germany’s standardized fleet. Before America entered World War II, the US Army relied on motorcycles, modified civilian cars, and heavier trucks for transportation. These vehicles, however, proved inadequate for the rugged terrains and versatile roles required in modern warfare. To address this, the Department of War identified the need for a small, lightweight, and versatile 4x4 vehicle to transport personnel and equipment quickly and efficiently to the frontlines.

On July 11, 1940, the Army issued detailed specifications for such a vehicle and invited US automotive manufacturers to submit designs. American Bantam developed the prototype, the Bantam BRC-40, which became known as the original Jeep of 1940. Willys-Overland and Ford also entered the competition. Bantam’s early experience with automobile design gave it an edge, securing the initial contract, while Willys struggled with its design in the early stages.

However, the Department of War quickly realized that Bantam lacked the production capacity and financial resources to produce the large number of vehicles the Army required. As Bantam’s BRC-40 underwent testing, Willys and Ford were invited to observe the prototype and develop their prototypes. After testing all three prototypes, the Army selected Willys’ “Quad” prototype due to its superior 60-hp Go-Devil engine, which offered unmatched torque and reliability. Willys refined its design into the Willys MA, revising it repeatedly to meet strict weight requirements. This vehicle became the foundation of the initial production variant, with many units supplied to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program.

To streamline mass production, the Department of War directed Willys-Overland, Bantam, and Ford to consolidate the best features of their designs into a single standardized vehicle: the Willys MB. In October 1941, Willys was ordered to license its design to Ford to meet the overwhelming production demands. During World War II, Willys produced over 363,000 Jeeps, while Ford contributed an additional 280,000. The Willys MB went on to become one of the most celebrated and recognizable military utility vehicles in history.

Enter Armored Willys MB Jeep w/ Dual Bazookas

The Willys MB Jeep, renowned for its versatility, was often modified for various combat roles, including mounting heavy weaponry like a 37mm anti-tank cannon in its cargo bed. However, a simpler and lighter alternative to the 37mm cannon emerged in the form of dual bazookas mounted on a gun pedestal. This field modification was documented on January 16, 1945, in Belgium, where an intelligence and reconnaissance platoon of the 60th Infantry, 9th Division, equipped a Jeep with a pair of bazookas. These were mounted on a pedestal originally designed for a .50-caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun. Additionally, the Jeep was reinforced with an armored shield made from steel plates around the driver’s compartment, providing partial protection for its crew.

The improvised armor consisted of 0.2-inch (6-mm) steel plates, offering minimal protection which was sufficient only against small-caliber firearms, such as pistols. The shielding primarily covered the front and sides of the driver’s area, replacing the windshield with a metal plate featuring two small sight openings. While far from ideal in heavy combat, this armor provided necessary frontal and lateral protections in skirmishes.

Visual records of this modification show the Jeep armed with two bazookas: an early-production M1 Bazooka, identifiable by its forward hand grip, and a late-production M1A1 Bazooka, which lacked the grip. Both variants fired the same 2.36-inch HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) rockets, capable of penetrating up to 3 inches (76 mm) of armor at a velocity of 265 feet per second (81 meters per second). According to the TM 9-294 2.36-inch A.T. Rocket Launcher M1A1 manual, these rockets were stored in fiber containers, with 20 containers packed into a wooden box weighing 128 pounds (58 kilograms) when fully loaded. A single Jeep could carry one or two such boxes in its bed, allowing the gunner to reload the mounted bazookas quickly.

The Jeep’s speed, maneuverability, low profile, and off-road capability made it an effective tool for “shoot-and-scoot” tactics. Acting as a mobile tank hunter, the Jeep could ambush enemy vehicles at short range and retreat before drawing significant return fire. Despite its functionally nonexistent armor, the Jeep’s agility often provided benefits to its survival on the battlefield. However, such dual-bazooka setups like this on a Jeep were relatively rare field modifications during World War II. Hence, lack of further documentation on this field modification.

This innovation may have influenced later US Army deployments of heavier weapons on Jeeps. For instance, near the end of the war, the Army began mounting the 75mm M20 recoilless rifle on Jeeps, significantly enhancing their anti-tank capabilities with greater velocity and penetration. Post-war developments further refined this concept, with the more modern Willys M38 Jeep eventually equipped with the 105mm M40 recoilless rifle, enhancing the Jeep as a flexible and formidable combat platform.

Specifications

Armored Willys MB Jeep w/ Dual Bazookas

General Characteristics (Clean)

  • Crew: 2 as minimum (Driver and Gunner)
  • Dimensions
    • Wheelbase: 80 in (2.032 m)
    • Length: 132.25 in (3.359 m)
    • Width: 62 in (1.575 m)
    • Height: 52 in (1.32 m)
    • Wheel Size: 16 x 4.5 in (40.64 x 11.43 cm)
    • Tire Size: 16 x 6 in (40.64 x 15.24 cm)
    • Tread: 49 in (1.245 in)
    • Ground clearance: 8.75 in (22.22 cm)
  • Weight
    • Road Weight: 2,453 lb (1,113 kg)
    • Loaded Weight: 3,253 lb (1,475 kg)
  • Powertrain
    • Engine: Inline-4 Willys L134 gasoline
      • Gross horsepower: 60 hp (45 kW) @ 4,000 rpm
    • Transmission: 3-speed x 2-range transfer case
  • Performance
    • Net Horsepower: 54 hp (40 kW) @ 4,000 rpm
    • Power/Weight: 0.018 hp/lb (0.03 kW/kg)
    • Maximum speeds:
      • 3rd Gear: 65 mph (105 km/h)
      • 2nd Gear: 41 mph (66 km/h)
      • 1st Gear: 24 mph (39 km/h)
      • Reverse Gear: 18 mph (29 km/h)

Armament & Armor

  • Main Gun:
    • 2 x M1A1 Bazookas
      • Caliber: 2.36 in (60 mm)
      • Ammo Type: M6A1 HEAT rockets
        • Effective Firing Range: 300 yards (274 m)
        • Maximum Firing Range: 700 yards (640 m)
        • Velocity: 265 ft/s (81 m/s)
        • Armor Penetration: Around 3 in (76 mm)
      • Ammo: 20 rockets
  • Armor Plates:
    • Maximum 0.2 in (6 mm)
Images

See Also

Willys M38 (M20 75mm RFC)

Willys M38A1C (M40 106mm RFC)

Ford Mutt M151A1C (M40 106mm RFC)

Ford Mutt M825 (M40 106mm RFC)

Sources

Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

7 Likes
2

A really cool way to get the Bazooka in the game. This would be a very ratty vehicle with that backup shot ready to go and plenty of ammo.

6 Likes
3

I’m only voting yes because it has two bazookas. Also 20 rockets is admittedly a pretty decent ammunition load. Their effectiveness is… questionable… but sometimes silly fun outranks actual utility.

10 Likes
4

I love little rat vehicles like this, especially when they are improvised or unconventional. +1

1 Like
5

Your secondary armament could be the M1 Garand.

1 Like
6

nah have a MG guy holding a m1919

7

Well if you factor into how fast reloads which was only around a couple of seconds. Shouldn’t be too much of an issue. As it would serve in a similar role to the M50 Ontos, Type-60 SPRG, and the other Recoiless rifle vehicles. But at a lower battle rating. :D

8

Didn’t exist for this vehicle.
image
It was just the 2 bazookas and likely 2 M1 Garands. Though for in-game your secondary armament is just a Garand.

1 Like
9

what about a BAR

10

Picture->Not a BAR. BAR was the WW2 equal to a Squad Automatic Weapon.

11

just because there was no BAR in picture doesnt mean it isnt possible

any man portable small arms of US ww2 could be the secondary

12

Sure but those vehicles have a muzzle velocity of above 81 m/s and a shell that isn’t 60mm HEAT. Not only are you going to be unlikely to deal good damage, you’re going to be unlikely to hit anything at all unless you have a lot of practice.

13

This is however a HEAT. Rocket has an effective penetration to that of the Piat. Aka 80mm’s. The only difference is we struggle with angles. But that’s none existent when you fire both guns separately if your firing at the side of a vehicle. Scouting and flanking the enemy.

Also, I don’t know where you assumed the penetration was 60 just because the rocket was 60mm doesn’t mean it only penetrates 60mm’s. Plus it also depends on the rocket being used. We had different types for different purposes.

5 Likes
14

this thing would be such a meme, hell yeah

3 Likes
15

+1

image
Went to jianchuan museum two days ago, this is an extra photo
sorry for my finger in the bottom left

16

Never had the Bazooka variant. Most of these were improvised in the field. To make the Willy’s Jeep a combat proven vehicle.

17

I didn’t. I read the post and it said 76mm penetration. Which is really bad. The damage is also notoriously awful on most non-stabilized HEAT rounds in game. Combined with the terrible velocity, that’s why I’m saying it would probably not be very effective in combat.

18

76mm’s is not bad at all.
76 mms are effective enough to destroy most tanks from the side or tank barrels. This isn’t a head-frontal soviet rush of tanks. This is a flanker. Also depending on what the BR is for this vehicle which will be a lower battle rating you are not gonna fight any heavily armored tanks. You are just gonna likely fight vehicles on par with that of the Panzer IV.

Even then it was still clearly effective enough to do this to a Jagdpanzer IV.
image
Picture taken in 1944.

We know it is a Jagdpanzer IV because of the front and 76 mm of penetration was enough to detonate the ammo storage for it to combust like this but frontally the face remained relatively intact.

4 Likes
19

+1, I think it would make a great low tier event vehicle actually.

20

I want to point out that the rocket launcher the person used in the picture is the M9 Bazooka, which, if the sources are correct, can penetrate up to 102 mm with newer HEAT rockets.

Another thing I’d like to say and remind ourselves is that the Churchill AVRE Petard’s effective range is only up to 100 meters, so these M1A1 Bazookas on the armored jeep would have a better range and don’t handicap it as badly as you’d think. This jeep will truly shine if it commits to utilizing the shoot-and-scoot tactics.

6 Likes