Continuing the story of the lend-lysis, today we present, if I may say so, «emblem» Western supplies to the USSR during the Great Patriotic. May be, someone does not agree with us and say,, that there is the coat of arms or, flag, It may be a plane ("Cobra", eg) or there, tank…
But if we are talking about our opinion, it was he. «Willys MB".
clear, that our current knowledge, with numerous additives ideology and home-grown «historians» vocational school, just teeming with inaccuracies and obvious fictions. And the Lend-Lease turned exactly into the same arena of ideological war, almost any episode at the beginning of the defense, and then the offensive of the Red Army.
And for evidence is not necessary to go far, read enough comments to any article of the Lend-Lease, though on our website, that where favorable. The result will be the same.
Fight «for our» or «for ihnih» We do not intend. And to answer stupid questions, like if we could win without the help of, also. could. And would have won. Just how many more hundreds of thousands, or even millions, Soviet people have perished on the battlefields? Convince someone of loyalty to this truism silly. We are not laying, and just continue our stories.
so, symbol Land-lysis. Car, which even today is known to every Russian is a military, Soviet war in those years.
it American SUV terrain Willys MB. that very, which still carries our officers and generals in domestic films. that very, who during the war «taskal» on the leading edge of the anti-tank guns. that very, which was used by Soviet intelligence officers to move quickly along the front line.
That's what this car is our story today. Let's start with the history of this legend. more precisely, legends. because, that the model of army vehicles off the assembly line of such plants, как Willys-Overland Motors и Ford (I had another name: Ford GPW). Differences of these cars below, especially, that thanks to the UMMC museum of military equipment, in Upper Pyshma, we had the opportunity to meet with both models.
so, there is a robust, but improbable version of the creation of this car. Akin to the Soviet version, type «The party said it is necessary - the Young Communist League said there!» I need a car - US automakers have made. And there was this version because of the really short time frame for developing this SUV. The Pentagon announced the need of these vehicles for the US Army in the spring 1940 of the year. A serial production started already in 1941.
In fact, such a car was needed was the US Army. And not even to participate in World War II. We needed a car to the border areas for the transport of command and reconnaissance in border areas with the possibility of action in enemy territory. The original terms of reference talking about the possibility of transporting guns and mortars was not.
From a technical point of view, the Pentagon has put forward strict requirements. It was strictly stated, that SUV should have a maximum speed of at least 80 km / h, to overcome deep fords - from 29 cm, drive on all four wheels, Curb weight - no more than 585 kg, ground clearance - 16 cm, and capacity - not less than 270 kg. The only point, in which customers were at least on a compromise - a mass. It has been changed several times, and on both sides.
For automotive order of business was really «titbit». The development of machines including nearly all (about 100) Car manufacturers. but, quickly found out, that tough military conditions require many design innovations. Mass producers of these developments have refused. Only three of them took the risk to rescue his army. American Bantam became tough guys, Willys-Overland и Ford Motor.
The first problem was solved, engineers and American Bantam designers. On the basis of your own car Bantam 60 They have created SUV Bantam BRC.
Bantam 60
Bantam BRC
The car is almost entirely consistent with the requirements of the Army. Except sufficiently serious deviation by weight. Army chiefs decided to test the car in, but decided not to run a series of.
Howbeit, but the company still released 2605 units of this car. True, they have not been used in the Americas.
And then the detective begins.
On tests Bantam BRC was attended by engineers and designers competition. AND «Ford», and «Willis» We have developed their own machines, but some units, in particular, suspension, not obtained. And so, the first time in the history of the American automobile industry, the designers decided to copy elements of the suspension competitors. In fact, worked industrial spies. Particularly well done on «Willis».
It was two months later Willis presented at trial has its own version of the SUV. The truth is stolen and the main drawback Bantam - weight.
Willys Quad, namely, the name given to the new machine, weighed 1100 kg. After many revisions weight has been reduced to 980 kg. The new model called Willys MA.
But Ford engineers also not idle. SUV Ford Pygmy was created. With the same characteristics and the same drawbacks.
so, US Army received three vehicles with the same assessment on tests: «Satisfactorily». Neither good nor bad. Technically the best car was still Bantam.
However, better handling and technical characteristics were more expensive, than simple competition. We had to choose one, that will become the main US Army SUV.
how, probably, readers will have guessed, in these conditions it became the main price SUV.
Bantam was the highest price. Slightly cheaper cars were fordovskie and cheapest were «Willys» - Total 738 dollars and 74 cents.
All three cars were almost identical and differ only in small details, clear, it is determined the choice of war: under strict military budget the number of cars was an important factor.
The contract was signed with the company «Willis», and after she pulled down the assembly line last instance Willys MA, immediately launched a full-scale production at the plant in Toledo Willys Military Series.
And here the question arises «Forde». How in production includes Ford factories?
It's simple. Company «Willis» He was unable to perform self-produced order and had to ask for help from «Ford». Naturally, «Ford» gladly agreed to share profits. But with one condition. Copy «Jeep» will be named «Ford». Copies of the technical documentation «Willis» It became the basis for Ford's SUV. Here and appeared on the Soviet front two nearly identical cars with different names: Willys MB and Ford GPW.
Now it is necessary to consider more closely the car. The machine is really interesting. Not for nothing that the release of this SUV lasted more many, many years in various countries around the world.
The car body was completely open, bearing, with sufficiently high seating and is designed to 4 passenger seats. Carrier element Willis MB performed spar type frame. Through springs with shock absorbers unilateral actions were connected to the frame bridges are not the split type, equipped with interlocked differentials.
To ensure the car a good weight distribution, constructors installed longitudinally powerplant, on the front wheel base. As a result, the supporting elements of the body have become perfectly smooth, It has been made full balance of the chassis, and the weight evenly during the movement distributed to all 4 wheel.
Another feature villisovskogo body was a complete lack of doors. This was done in order, that in extreme conditions can easily jump or jump out of the car. Nevertheless, "Fall out" of the body during movement there is no risk, as the seats in the cabin slightly drowned.
But if the situation becomes critical, the process of leaving the car in seconds.
Windshield, which has a sufficiently wide and strong frame, if necessary, leans on the hood. This "trick" was designed not only to convenient to aim and shoot ahead (special, if the weapon is a massive and heavy, but this must be done while driving), but also to lower machine circuit, when you need to bated.
Plus, the color of camouflage gave a special matt paint, Let's not glare in the sun. patented. But in our reality, Soviet soldiers got along quite well with oil paint, and also not particularly shone.
The designers did not forget about wipers, working on engine. Many critics consider this detail entirely unnecessary and, Considering, that the body of the open - a grain of truth in it there. But we must not forget the fact, that the car was equipped with a folding canvas top, which was stored in the form of winded on the rear of the SUV. It was used not very often, even during inclement weather.
One spare tire was attached behind the vehicle. On the left side of the body could be seen tool, needed in the field - it's an ax and a shovel, which were attached special belts. Also, the left and right side of the handle are welded special. they were present not only for the convenience of passengers, how to, to be able to pull the car from the ford or pit, if necessary.
Salon itself was fairly close, and the landing of the driver seemed to be slightly hampered. With regard to the driver's seat, the tightness in combination with a thin three-spoke wheel a sufficiently large diameter, allow more confidently stand on the roads, hold fast to the steering wheel and do not risk losing control, bumping over large rocks or mounds.
Actually, car just seems so ... small and uncomfortable. Everything there is perfect landing, one of the authors tested their pretty boar carcass in 90 kg. Respectively, normal soldiers 70-80 kg plus a jacket or overcoat quite comfortably could accommodate.
Gasoline tank located under the driver's seat (the driver, it is seen, no one asked their opinion on this topic), and to fill up the car, every time they throw back cushion. Behind was a sofa without armrests, but on both sides (behind the rear wheel arches) were peculiar glove compartments for tools and other equipment.
Front wheel arches as such had no, and between them and the hood was a big enough gap. Instead, the front bumper was welded wide and thick sheet metal, which is 30 centimeters came forward. This was done in order, the car without damage to itself to overcome obstacles (eg, bushes, stick, high weeds, etc.) or that the soldiers could effortlessly pull the stuck vehicle, tied to the frame wire.
The radiator grille has a plurality of thin vertical spokes, and the headlights have been slightly recessed in it. This was required by their special design, which made it possible to raise the lights and turn down their lenses (especially true, when he had the night to repair the engine or move, without additional devices blackout).
Since March 1942 , the grille has already had seven spokes and extruded trim, and later 5 months on the left wing there is an additional spotlight with "peak" and a protective metal front ring.
Interesen motor Willis, which is recognized as the world's long-throw. Four-cylinder engine was a straight-Willis, He had the capacity 2199 cc and a power 60 Horse power. He refueled with gasoline A-66 and, and in spite of the highest quality and durability, I was very sensitive to low-quality gasoline, because of what could quickly break down.
Another important part - Manual Transmission. The three-stage and fully interlocked with the engine itself. On the 2nd and 3rd stages Establish a synchronizer, and the transfer case was docked to the gearbox itself. Thanks to cardan shafts with hinges, power is evenly distributed to the rear and front axles.
Now it was necessary to drive the car not only with the help of one gear lever, but also two more - transfer case levers, one of which served to connect the front axle, and the other to disable and downshift.
The braking system of the car was hydraulic and extended to 4 wheel, which was a huge plus.
Despite, that all the wheels were driving, for some reason, engineers did not provide for a differential between the axles, therefore, the moment between the front and rear axles was not distributed. Rod was distributed only among themselves wheels, wherein differentials without conventional conical blocker assemblies.
Since the car was designed for the most demanding and extreme conditions, he does not just have to overcome deep fords, which in some cases reached almost one and a half meters. therefore, the designers decided to make a drain hole in the bottom of the body, which was closed with a cork.
After a fairly serious description of the car itself, it is worth «see» little things, which made Willis popular.
If you look closely at the headlights on the "Willis", then you can see «utter stupidity» American engineers. Headlights are attached «lambs». Why do I need a wing nut to mount the headlight under the hood of a car? Nonsense, but, when repairing the engine at night, the headlight can be easily unscrewed, turn on 180 degrees towards the engine and run «royally». trifle? There are no trifles in war…
by the way, according to the memoirs of veterans, lights "Willis" is suitable for almost all American equipment. And vice versa. Even motorcycle headlights on "Harley" were interchangeable with this SUV.
Another interesting detail, which makes the Willys just perfect for the army. This vehicle requires little or no battery. Even a cold engine in normal condition starts from a few revolutions. «curve starter». true, you can get it decently… And on a hot engine, starting the engine takes place practically «with a half-tip». Those battery, which were still installed on the Willys, were weak, 6-volt.
And one more find of "Willis". Windshield, which can be lowered onto the hood. How easy it is to reduce the size of the car and solve the problem of firing from machine guns and machine guns forward in the direction of travel… We subsequently used this pattern on troop variant GAZ-66 and GAZ-69 jeeps, UAZ-469.
by the way, the name "Jeep" came into our language is from the "Willis". This is the usual abbreviation for the military designation of General Purpose vehicles., GP, sounds like "g-p", or "jeep". But this is only a version. Although Willys-Overland Motors in February 1943 in the midst of the war, registered the Jeep trademark…
If we consider the numerous preserved and restored "Willis", you can pay attention to fairly frequent differences, and not only between Willis and Ford, but also between "Fords" or "Willis" from different parties. What is the reason?
so, what was the difference between Ford GPW and Willys MB?
Let's start with the main. The machines of both companies were continuously modified and this was not so much due to changes in customer requirements., how much due to production possibilities. It is because, it is difficult to classify modifications by time. It is much easier to see differences in schedule lines..
Both cars (and in the USSR both were called "Willis") have three modifications. Depending on the delivery time.
"Willis":
early (November 1941 year-March 1942 of the year),
standard (March 1942 year-December 1943 of the year),
composite (December 1943 year-October 1945 of the year).
Ford:
standard (April 1942 year-December 1943 of the year),
transition (December 1943 year-January 1944 of the year),
composite (January 1944 year-June 1945 of the year).
Let's start with the bodies. The early "Willis" had its name embossed on the rear panel of the body., the radiator was from 10 spokes, and the glove compartment was missing. The stamping of the Standard "Jeep" was already located on the wheel arch under the tool recess lock. He also got a glove compartment, bottom of two reinforcing ribs, footrest and rectangular bracket for the rear seat.
As for the "Ford", then its standard modification had a front support bracket type ACM II, body number was missing, the stamping of the name was in the wheel arch under the lock of the niche, and the logo is on the back; the back seat had a triangular bracket, and the taillights are vertically mounted brackets. Besides, compared to "Willis", early Ford models already had a glove compartment, and bottom with two reinforcing ribs, and support for the legs of the rear passengers.
Transitional "Ford" was equipped with a triangular rear body panels amplifier, in the back seat is installed rectangular bracket, but disappeared stamping car names on the sides of the wheel arches on either side of the rear seat bracket.
Now the frame. The "Willis" was the front crossbeam of tubular form, brackets and shock absorbers - a rectangular-box-shaped, whereas the "Ford" was a rectangular beam (like an inverted letter U), and the brackets are in the form of an influx.
Stand the battery also had differences - villisovskaya was in the form of a rectangular metal sheets, and the Ford one additionally had an oval hole in the center.
Comparing both cars, you can notice differences in the image of the license plates of the frame and engine. by the way, it was by the engine number that it was possible to determine the car as accurately as possible: for Willys MB, the number consisted of the MB index and six digits, and for Ford GPW - from the GPW index and the same six digits.
Technical characteristics of the car Willys MB:
Production year: 1941-1945 gg.
Body: carrier, open, doorless
Dimensions (length Width Height): 3335/1586/1830 mm
The weight: 1020 kg
capacity: 250 kg (with driver and passenger - 363 kg)
full speed: 104 km / h
Fuel consumption: 13,2 L / 100 km.
Entry / exit angles: 45/35 degrees
Towed weight (Max): 453 kg
Turning radius: 5,3 m
Engine: 4-cylinder, petrol, nizhneklapannym
Cylinder diameter: 79,37 mm
working volume: 2,2 l.
Power (at 3600 rev / min): 60 HP.
Transmission: mechanical, 3-stepped
Transfer case: mechanical, 2-stepped, with demultiplier
During the war, both companies produced almost 700 000 (real figure 659 031) cars. Of them 52 thousands were sent to the USSR.
Think about this figure: 52 000 cars!
Furthermore, perhaps for some readers this will be a revelation, but… Some of these cars were delivered to the Soviet Union disassembled in boxes.. And they gathered in Omsk and Kolomna at special assembly sites. So that «American» also has Siberian roots.
There is practically nothing to compare this car with. The USSR could not produce everything at once. Therefore, it is worth remembering this unsightly war worker., on board of which you can deservedly place an inscription: "Took out everything and everyone".
And the tachanka from «Vilisa» quite came out
Transportation of the wounded
Anti-tank guns and mortars…
Commanders of all levels
52 thousands. For all that, that our industry has produced a very small number of four-wheel drive vehicles. And it's worth remembering, what «Willis» became a father «Ivana-Villisa», that is, a whole family of Soviet military all-wheel drive vehicles.
Well, and some more information from the UMMC Museum of Military Equipment in Verkhnyaya Pyshma:
