“Sergeant Saunders'” M38A1- Willys In the Spotlight

This M38A1 (1962 4 x 4 amphibious) arrived to this country along with 125 other of it’s type, with 0km, acquired to be used by the Argentine Army, because of the M38-A1’s 24v and impermeability characteristics. My Jeep was incorporated to the army in 1963, under the Internal Number “EA 20384”, and was assigned to serve in the Communication Company “A”, within the Tank Cavalry Regiment 10, located in the town named “Azul”, Buenos Aires. Next, it was transferred to the first Corps of the Army, in the Infantry Regiment I “Patricios”, Buenos Aires. In 1997, after 34 years of active service, this Jeep was auctioned and purchased by a civilian. On the 20^th of June, 2010, I bought the M38A1 from the previous owner (having traveled 1474 miles), and thus ending its lethargy of being kept inactive. Nowdays, the Jeep joins in public parades and civic-military events, exhibitions, and Jeep Clubs’, or Classic Vehicles Groups’ outgoings.

It has been hired to be used in films such as: “Blood, the Last Vampire”, “Infancia Clandestina”, “La Nada Blanca”, and was featured in several events from “Motroshow” to “El Garage TV”, along with a few interviews for vehicle related channels, specialized magazines and newspapers, for instance “Escala Clásica”, “El Garage TV”, “Motormax”, “Raid 4×4”, “Soldados” magazine, “Defense and secure” magazine, etc.

As of today, the Jeep still possesses its original communication devices and accessories:

• VHF Transceiver, 6 meters military band AN RT68, MP57 antenna base, antenna, antenna holder sleeve, accessory backpack BG 179, handset microphone.
• VHF Transceiver RT 77 GRC9, DY88 Dynamotor Power Supple, MP65 Antenna, CW 140 canvas bag radio.
• Tools and regulatory equipments
• PHILLIPS 4600, Backpack transceiver.
• PHILLIPS 3000, handy talkie.

Later on, I incorporated an Assistance Intake Series “M”, to be installed in case of the need to give or receive electric assistance.

On the 26^th of September, 2010 I began the building process of a replica of the H2 BROWNING caliber 50 machine gun, with the purpose of having an extra accessory, along with its pedestal, its ammunition’s support drawer, and its corresponding sheath. As for the story of my relation with Jeeps, it goes back to 1966, when I was about 6. That year I went to Uruguay during a family trip, and my father’s cousin had an M38A1 Jeep, which we used to ride for fun along the beach’s dunes in San Ignacio, a small fishing village, north of Punta del Este (Atlantic Ocean). Quickly, I was amazed by the vehicle, since it could travel along dunes, and sand as easy as if it were riding on pavement, giving off a majestic feeling of power and overcoming every obstacle that was imposed to us…  something that, with our own simple car, we wouldn’t even have dreamed of. That was when it settled in my mind the idea of having a vehicle just like that someday.

It took 44 years and 19 Jeeps of different types, until I could finally achieve my lifetime dream of possessing the M38A1, thanks to my personal perseverance, and the invaluable assistance of my three good friends Pedro, Mario and Juan, to whom I owe many thanks, since they helped me, both detecting the unit, and contributing with cash support to get it. Currently, I own an original M416 trailer, the addition of which I consider a completion of the pair, contributing to society a rolling, highly preserved piece of history.

After 30 years of living in the company of Jeeps, my friends nicknamed me “Sergeant Saunders”, from the TV series “Combat!”.