bookM38A1 1/4 Ton Truck in Canadian Service
by Andrew Iarocci.
Canada's Weapons of War Series, WOW020
A5 size softback, 24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-894581-48-6
Service Publications,
Canada
www.servicepub.com

Review by Peter Brown


The American M38A1 "jeep" was introduced to replace the earlier M38, unlike the M38 which resembled the wartime MB and GP series they had a more streamlined and rounded appearance which set the appearance for military and civilian use for many years. When the Canadian government came to replace its wartime vehicle stocks it decided to standardise on models from American manufacturers. The M38A1 was chosen for the lightest class. Introduced into service in 1953 it was to remain in use well into the 1980s. Many were built in Canada though the later batches were imported from the USA.

The M38A1 served in several different roles. Some were armed with machine guns on simple mountings with others carrying 106mm recoiles rifles or ENTAC antitank missiles, there were various types of radios fitted, ambulance versions, repair and support vehicles and even a few specially adapted for VIP transport. These as well as the minor differences and detail changes made over the years are described here, along with the different basic colour schemes and markings they had in service.

As with all the books in this series, there are plenty of photos. 21 black and white images show many variations in use and location including service with UN forces and on exercise with a colour shot on the cover. The centrespread is given over to a set of 1/35th scale plans, these show a basic vehicle from front, back and overhead with side views of an M38A1 fitted with canvas tilt and machine gun towing a trailer, another with the RCL and one with missile launchers.

Ideal source material for anyone wanting to model one of these light vehicles in Canadian service as well as providing plans and details for those used by others.

Thanks to Clive Law at Service Publications for the review book.



Page created March 22, 2008