ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
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ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
Back in 1976, my wife and I decided to take a week off and take a trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We could not resist the temptation of Mt Washington, the road up is somewhere between 7 and 9 miles. It was 65F and calm at the entrance to the trail, the climb included hair pin turns, sunshine, clouds, snow flurries and wind, at the peak it was 23F with 87MPH wind gusts. The ascent and decent was mostly in 2nd gear, especially on the way down to avoid brake fade. We left the doors at the motel and my wife never thought to bring her jacket. I let her wear my summer flight jacket and used the heater to help keep her warm. We spent a hour at the top and drank lots of hot chocolate. The M-38A1 never missed a beat, it is the same M-38A1 that I have now.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
- David M. Carpenter
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
Memories are the riches that you can never spend, only collect, and truly poor is the man who has none.
Dave
Dave
1943 GPW 93517 "Basketcase"
1945 WC-52
1953 M-38A1 USAF
2008 Smart Passion
BB-55 USS North Carolina LHC
SS. John W. Brown LHD
C-2/3IN-199th LIB "Recreated Redcatchers"
..._
It's great to be a Mountaineer!!!
1945 WC-52
1953 M-38A1 USAF
2008 Smart Passion
BB-55 USS North Carolina LHC
SS. John W. Brown LHD
C-2/3IN-199th LIB "Recreated Redcatchers"
..._
It's great to be a Mountaineer!!!
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
In the 60's when I was buying surplus M-38 and M-38A1 Jeeps at Ft Devens, I made several round trips using my personal M-38A1 to view the Jeeps up for bid. It was exactly 250 Miles from my house to the Main Gate at Ft Devens. I would leave at 3AM and would usually pass thru the Main Gate at Devens at 8Am, exactly 5 hours later without stops except for 3 toll gates. The trip back would take an hour or so longer due to increased local traffic. 500 mile round trips in one day were fun, the M-38A1 ride was comfortable and the Jeep would easily cruise along at 55-60MPH without a hitch. Gas was around .24 per/gal. and cost me between $5 and $6 + a couple bucks for food. I would be back home by 5PM and still feel fresh as a daisy.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
Nice story, reminded me of the time I road my motorcycle up mt washington. My buddies and I toured New England about 7 years ago on our bikes. We're doing the White mountains in 80 degree july weather, we're all in T-shirts enjoying the day. I heard about the road to the peak but not the change in weather, we got on the road and started crusing up, the first two or so miles is black top, I was content, then we hit gravel... Then we hit washed off the mountain side dirt, i'm not scared of heights but this time I was, going around tight corners on a 1000 pound cruiser with wide handle bars in first gear hoping no one was comming down as the road is barely wide enough for one car (it's a two laner). No guard rails anywhere and 100 to 200 foot drops everywhere, needless to say I was holding on for dear life. I go around one corner and I see some small pine trees, I eased up and started to hot dog a little reving my pipes (all six of them Honda Valkyrie) fish tailing a little to mess with my buds as I get closer to those pines I noticed they are the tops of 150 foot mature pine trees Needless to say it was back to holding so tight that I lost feeling in my hands...We finally reached the summit and it is now 25 degrees and snow on the roofs, wind was in the mid 40's MPH and we were in T-shirts, On the way down it was back to first gear. They give you a bumper sticker at the bottom that reads "This bike climbed Mt. Washington" I'd love to do it again!!
67 M151a1, 42 WLA
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
Anyone else take their Army Jeep up Mt Washington?
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
That sounds like a blast. Any pictures? Pictures are always great.
C'EST LA VIE
1958 M37B1
53 M38A1 USAF.
1958 M37B1
53 M38A1 USAF.
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
The Army had a cold weather testing site at Mt. Washington during WWII.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
Anyone take their Jeep or MV up Mt. Washington?
Coming back down is a good test of Jeep brake fade and condition of Second Gear as at least 5-6 miles of the decent is in 2nd gear to control brake fade.
Would love to try it in the CCKW, it would be a real nail biter and test of man and machine. Do not believe it would be allowed.
Coming back down is a good test of Jeep brake fade and condition of Second Gear as at least 5-6 miles of the decent is in 2nd gear to control brake fade.
Would love to try it in the CCKW, it would be a real nail biter and test of man and machine. Do not believe it would be allowed.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
I've never drove my M38A1 up a mountain, but I do have trails in my woods that my grandfather would drive his A1's on. I have driven my jeep to my MVPA's Rally 2 years consecutively. In 2013 it was held in Crawfordsville, IN @ Ropky Armor Museum which is roughly a 100 mile trip each way also towing my M100. Last year it was in Portland, IN which is around 35 miles from my house. The good thing is I can drive on a nicely maintained county road most of the way there and there's not a lot of traffic. I'm looking forward to our rally this year which is coming up here in about a month.
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FOR SALE 54 M38A1
1/54 Build Date
MAKE OFFER!
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
Brake Fade makes Mountain Descends interesting. It is like someone put ball bearings on the brake shoes. The Parking Brake in the M-38A1 is a no-no as it can lock up and flip the M-38A1.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
Great story, I can trace my M38A1's lineage back to Fort Devens where it was sold as surplus.
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
In the old days an Army Reserve or National Guard Jeep could reasonably be determined by the USA number.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
Like to try the MB out on Mt Washington. Doubt it would have the spunk during the ascent that the M38A1 exhibited and it surely will not have the braking that my M-38A1 has.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Thu Mar 09, 2017 7:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
I like to take my M38 on mild trail rides. Nothing wild, you understand, just a trail with a few hills, humps, draws and valleys for a small challenge. No mudholes!
And if there's the slightest chance of getting stuck up or hanging up, NOOOOOOOOOOOO! And if you call me a coward, I concede on this one.
FJ
And if there's the slightest chance of getting stuck up or hanging up, NOOOOOOOOOOOO! And if you call me a coward, I concede on this one.
FJ
FrankenJeep
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Re: ULTIMATE M-38A1 TRAIL RIDE
Not a mountain, but out on the trails in my M38A1.
Indiana MVPA Vice President
52 M38A1 8/52 MD17418
52 M100 9/52
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FOR SALE 54 M38A1
1/54 Build Date
MAKE OFFER!
52 M38A1 8/52 MD17418
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FOR SALE 54 M38A1
1/54 Build Date
MAKE OFFER!
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