History
Background
The Willys M38A1, officially designated as the ¼-Ton 4x4 Utility Truck M38A1 or G-758, was introduced in 1952 by Willys-Overland (later became Willys Motors and eventually Kaiser Jeep). It was developed as a replacement for the earlier M38 jeep.
As the second post-war iteration of the WWII-era Willys MB, the M38A1 was the first Willys jeep to feature a major redesign, most notably its rounded hood and fenders. This redesign accommodated the new Willys Hurricane F-Head 134 inline-four engine, which was taller than the “Go-Devil” engine used in the Willys MB and M38. The taller engine necessitated a higher hood profile and a reworked body structure to fit the new engine.
Production of the M38A1 began in 1952 and continued for US forces until 1957, after which production shifted to meet the needs of the US Marine Corps. Additionally, M38A1 units were manufactured for export to foreign countries under military assistance programs, with production continuing until 1971. In total, over 100,000 units were produced.
Enter Willys M38A1C w/ M40 106-mm Recoilless Rifle
The M38A1 entered service during the later stages of the Korean War and remained in use through the Vietnam War and other conflicts. To address the need for more effective infantry support against advancing enemy armor, the M40 106-mm recoilless rifle was introduced. The M40, a refinement of the earlier and less successful M27 recoilless rifle, was mounted on modified M38A1 jeeps, which were designated as M38A1C. The M40 provided substantial firepower, capable of penetrating over 400 mm of armor, making it effective against many tanks of the period until explosive reactive armor (ERA) became common.
The M38A1C was also equipped with an M8C 0.50 caliber semi-automatic spotting rifle, which served as a ranging tool. The spotting rifle fired a tracer round designed to simulate the trajectory of the M40’s shell, ensuring accuracy by confirming the target before firing the main weapon.
M38A1C jeeps equipped with the M40 recoilless rifle saw service during the Vietnam War and were also widely used in other conflicts, including the Lebanese Civil War. The M40 itself remained in use for decades, particularly in the Middle East, where it continues to be seen in some military inventories. However, the US Army began phasing out the M38A1C in the 1960s, replacing it with the Ford M151 jeep, which marked the end of Willys’ role in designing military jeeps. The Ford M151A1C, equipped with the same M40 recoilless rifle mounted on a pedestal, carried on the M38A1C’s mission and was extensively used during the Vietnam War and eventual conflicts.
