The Ford GTB, commonly called the Burma Jeep, was a 11⁄2-ton 4x4 truck produced during WWII by Ford and was used primarily by the United States military, primarily the US Navy and Marine Corps. The GTB was used primarily in the Pacific Theater during World War II, with many being used on the "Burma Road".[1][2][3]
| Ford GTB | |
|---|---|
 G-622 Ford GTB, Cargo, Low Silhouette, USMC #166487 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Production | 1943–1945 |
| Assembly | Edgewater, New Jersey |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door truck 2-door Wrecker 2-door bomb service |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 226 cu in (3,703 cc) Ford G8T I6 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | varies by model |
| Length | varies by model |
| Width | varies by model |
| Height | varies by model |
| Curb weight | varies by model |
GTBs remained in service after WW II. Some were used during the Korean War (1950-1953). The last units were retired from service as late as 1967.[4]
The GTB's Ordnance Standard nomenclature number was G-622.
Variants
editFord produced over 15,000 of these low silhouette, short, and maneuverable GTB's in five models, with all except the GTBS having dual rear wheels:[5]
- GTB truck, Cargo, the basic version with a troop/cargo carrying bed equipped with side mounted folding bench seats,
- GTBA truck, (US Navy) All navy versions were produced in "Ocean Grey"
- GTBB truck, Wrecker, (Rare, only 50 produced)
- GTBS truck, Bomb Service with crane (US Navy)
- GTBC truck, Bomb Service with crane (USN, improved)
Operators
edit
Chile (U.S. shipping to protect mining ports)
Notes
edit- ^ "Ford Burma Jeep". revivaler.com. 10 October 2018.
- ^ "1943 Ford GTBA G622 Burma Jeep". Estrella Warbird Museum.
- ^ "The Rare Ford Burma Jeep - A WW2-Era 4x4 Truck Capable of Almost Anything". silodrome.com. 24 October 2018.
- ^ "Ford GTB G-622: A great "little workhorse"", Military Trader
- ^ "1943 Ford GTBA G622 Burma Jeep | Estrella Warbird Museum".
General references
edit- TM 10-1435 Maintenance Manual for Ford GTB (G622) 1 1⁄2-ton 4×4 truck , August 20, 1942 edition. 181 pages.
- TM 10-1434 Illustrated Parts for Ford 1 1⁄2-ton 4×4 truck , July 1942
See also
edit- Jeffery Quad - a similar but much older vehicle
- Mazda Pathfinder XV-1, commonly called the Mazda Jeep or the Burmese Jeep, is a 4x4 Mazda built from 1970 to 1973 in an assembly plant in Myanmar strictly for Myanmar market.