MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
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MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
How many have a P-38? I still do. It's the same one made by US Shelby Corp. that I have had since Basic Training at Ft Dix back in 1960. Many GI's still have that first P-38 that they used back when they were in basic. Mine rests in a drawer in the kitchen on a ring with a long forgotten General Motors key from one of the surplus USAF 66 Chevy Pick Ups I probably bought at Loring AFB and an H-700 Key. It has been at least 50 years since I have used it.
Our can opener broke during supper last nite and I remembered my old P-38 resting patiently in the kitchen drawer to be recalled to active duty. My wife was surprised how fast it cut the can open. One never loses "the touch" of using their old P-38, it stays with you forever, just like riding a bicycle. I still have my Dog Tags, too, they are hanging on the inside rear view mirror of my CCKW.
Our can opener broke during supper last nite and I remembered my old P-38 resting patiently in the kitchen drawer to be recalled to active duty. My wife was surprised how fast it cut the can open. One never loses "the touch" of using their old P-38, it stays with you forever, just like riding a bicycle. I still have my Dog Tags, too, they are hanging on the inside rear view mirror of my CCKW.
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: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
I have my fathers which he carried during his tour in Vietnam. He kept it on his key ring always. It was always with him until he died. It is one of my prized possessions..
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Re: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
I have one from WWII that my dad gave me. Made by American Speaker. Had it on my key ring until the ring hole wore through! Opened a thousand cans with that baby.
Lew Ladwig
CMHG, 9th ID, Commander
BSA Crew 42 Advisor, 9th ID reenactors
CFFC, IFFC president
2-'47 cj2a's
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CMHG, 9th ID, Commander
BSA Crew 42 Advisor, 9th ID reenactors
CFFC, IFFC president
2-'47 cj2a's
1-'45 gpw in full resto mode
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Re: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
Still have mine on my key ring, has been for over 40 years. Stamped "US Speaker".
GPW 210266 "Roll on 28th"
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Re: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
Did any of you all ever call it my john wayne?
change user name to mark
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Re: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
Who was John Wayne, he did not serve in the military? Do see John Wayne's name on the eBay ads for the P-38.
Amazing little tool, tho, you can really go to beat hell with them.
Amazing little tool, tho, you can really go to beat hell with them.
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: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
When I was in the Marines the p38 was called a john wayne, why I don't know,
change user name to mark
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Re: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
Kinda late to ask old John. Maybe a web search of John Wayne can opener will have the answer.
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
- Lee Bishop
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Re: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
By the time I served, nobody had anything in cans anymore, so a P38 would have been a wasted effort to take into the field.
Some of my older NCOs told me that it was a very bad idea to carry one on dogtags, as that hook could flip outward and stab the person wearing it. A Brigade CSM told me that when he was a young PVT, there were orders never to carry them that close to your body.
All that said, I have a few original ones from WW2 and have used them to open cans every now and then. It is indeed a very handy tool if you have the knack for using one...
Some of my older NCOs told me that it was a very bad idea to carry one on dogtags, as that hook could flip outward and stab the person wearing it. A Brigade CSM told me that when he was a young PVT, there were orders never to carry them that close to your body.
All that said, I have a few original ones from WW2 and have used them to open cans every now and then. It is indeed a very handy tool if you have the knack for using one...
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former US Army Captain and REMF
Former US Army Captain and REMF
- cco23i
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Re: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
I was in and we had MRE's BUT I ALWYS carried a P-38 due to working the flightline we could use them to open oil cans and such with to service aircraft.
Msgt. Scott Dunkirk CIG
AZ ground crew living history unit Inc.
"Yes sir, it's suppose to look like that"
AZ ground crew living history unit Inc.
"Yes sir, it's suppose to look like that"
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Re: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
Everyy Jeep glove box should have a P-38.
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: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
I ALWAYS keep one on my key chain. Even when I travel overseas and all my house/car keys are at home. My key chain has my luggage key, a radiator key (square socket and flat tip) and the P-38. I've used it many times to cut rope or string when I didn't have scissors or a knife around.
Matt
Matt
1970 Kaiser Jeep DJ-5A Left Hand Drive
1945 Corps of Engineers Welder & Trailer
1943 G518 "Ben Hur" Trailer Steel Body
194* G518 "Ben Hur" Trailer Composite Body
http://g518parts.com/
1945 Corps of Engineers Welder & Trailer
1943 G518 "Ben Hur" Trailer Steel Body
194* G518 "Ben Hur" Trailer Composite Body
http://g518parts.com/
- Chuck Lutz
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Re: MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING
My Dog tags have a P-38 and wire-handled Coke bottle opener on the chain.
My key ring has an H700 and a personalized Dog Tag and a Ford Tool Room Tag.
My key ring has an H700 and a personalized Dog Tag and a Ford Tool Room Tag.
Chuck Lutz
GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947
GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947
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