Wings, Tracks, and Wheels 2024

Lots of things to post about including the 80th anniversary of D-Day two weeks ago, all told it’s probably going to take 4 weeks of posts to get through it all! But before I get to all that I wanted to cover the recent big event at the Planes of Fame Air Museum: the third annual ‘Wings, Tracks, and Wheels’ event held on May 4-5 at Chino Airport, California! It was back BIGGER and BETTER than ever! So, let’s dive in…

Here’s the poster for this year’s ‘Wings, Tracks, and Wheels’ event which I designed to have a World War 2 propaganda poster style. You have the Wings (P-47 Thunderbolt), Tracks (M4A1 Sherman Tank), and the Wheels (my GPW Jeep, minus markings). Let’s quickly go over how this event came to be.

It started in 2022 when I came up with the idea to have a military vehicle meet (mainly Jeeps) at the museum to bring in crowds that don’t normally come out (‘car’ people). We held the one-day event on a Saturday when normally the museum had nothing going on. It was a huge success, with lots of people attending and a great turnout of vehicles. We had 10 Jeeps, which is the largest gathering of Jeeps I know of in SoCal.

Due to the success of the first event, in 2023 we expanded ‘Wings, Tracks, and Wheels’ another day to make it a two-day event. Once again, we had an impressive attendance of Jeeps with 14 Jeeps in attendance among several other vehicles.

The 2023 event also saw the addition of a full reenactor encampment a demonstration by the museum’s M4A1 Sherman Tank. The event was, once again, a huge success. We knew we needed to up the ante for 2024 to make it even bigger!

And so we did, we added all sorts of things including an even larger Sherman Tank demo, a bigger reenactor encampment, a V-1 Pulse Jet demo, many more aircraft flight demos, the SoCal Tiny Tanks RC group, and much more. Here’s the map I put together for this year’s event.

It was months of preparation for the 2024 event, but soon it was upon us! Grey skies didn’t keep the crowds away as right off the bat we had a lot of people attend!

We had TWICE as many reenactors this year as well, with really impressive displays. We filled the encampment so much that everyone had to squeeze in.

And something new for this year, the reenactor encampment ended up becoming the main entrance to the event, so they were busy all day long with visitors checking out the displays.

The camp also included the first section of vehicles. There are FIVE Jeeps just in this photo!

Opening ceremonies included reenactors from all nationalities and eras gathered at attention while the Historical Unit of Southern California (HUSC) provided a gun salute.

New for 2024, the SoCal Tiny Tanks RC group came out bringing over 100 different tanks and vehicles. These incredibly detailed tanks were a massive hit with the crowd, kids and adults alike! Not only could they watch the tanks in action, but the group brought out tons of extra tanks for people to use in a large diorama obstacle course they set up! These tanks were rather sophisticated with lasers and infrared readers able to take ‘hits’ from other tanks.

We also had an incredible display of uniforms and stories through photos and artifacts called ‘For Your Honor’ come out.

Of course, the flight demos were a huge hit. We had TEN aircraft take to the skies during the event like these US Navy aircraft. Here are the museum’s Grumman TBM Avenger, Douglas SBD Dauntless, and Grumman F8F Bearcat wither an overhead break to complete their flight demonstration.

Several volunteers at the museum managed to get the V-1 Pulse Jet engine working and put on a LOUD demonstration of this unique engine. The V-1 Rockets were small unmanned aircraft that Germany sent loaded with explosives over to Great Britain. With a unique buzzing sound, it’s not the loud noise of the engine that should frighten you, it’s when the noise cuts out and goes silent that you have to worry as that was when it would head to the ground.

And, of course, the highlight of the event (which we put at the very end like Disneyland fireworks before you go home) was the M4A1 Sherman Tank demo. This included firing the main 75mm gun, which always impresses the guests who pack in to see this early tank in action.

And not only did the tank fire the guns, but of course we had to crush things as well. This included “Hitler’s” personal washer and dryer!

You might be asking, “What about the vehicles in attendance for 2024?” Well, I was saving the best for last! We had a huge turnout both days of vehicles at the event! We had so many Jeeps it was difficult to count and we had some really vehicles as well.

One perk the vehicle owners were able to do was get some shots of their prized rides with warbirds. Something to remember if you want to bring your vehicle out to next year’s event! (May 3-4, 2025)

I was busy at the event wrangling vehicles and reenactors, but I attempted to take some time photos when I was able. I tried to get shots of the vehicles before the crowds got there after I positioned them in the main courtyard. On Saturday, we had a very impressive turnout of vehicles here. I went for a circular shape to make the guests feel surrounded by these amazing machines.

The previous photos and the next few shots are all from the first day, Saturday May 4th, of the event showcasing he vehicles in attendance.

It was a nice assortment of different years and types of Jeeps!

We only had two foreign vehicles in attendance this year, which I grouped together.

I was surprised at the number of M38s that came out as well and jointed the WW2 Jeeps. So, let’s go ahead and take an individual look at the event vehicle that attended the event!

First up, we have the museum’s ultra-rare 1945 GAZ-67B Russian ‘Jeep’ clone. I’ve featured this vehicle and its history on this blog in the past. It uses Ford-style parts resembling a mix between a Model T and a GPW Jeep.

Next, we had this really impressive Volkswagen Kübelwagen replica. While it’s built atop a 1968 Beetle frame, the body was built from scratch and is a really detailed replica!

A rare and impressive M2 Cletrac was displayed on Saturday.

From the Inland Empire Military Vehicle Collectors Club, this 1966 M274 A2 Mule was on display.

The museum’s 1942 Indian Model 741 motorcycle was pulled out of the hangars.

We also had a 1942 Harley Davidson WLA that came out to the event.

One of my favorites to attend is this impressive US Navy 1942 Ford GTB Bomb Service Truck. Later in the day, he put the canvas top up.

On Saturday we had a 1941 Dodge WC-3 Weapons Carrier truck from the Inland Empire Military Vehicle Collector’s Club.

We pulled out the museum’s 1941 Dodge WC-54 Ambulance and used it as a sign holder to help people find the reenactor encampment.

Another Saturday-only vehicle was this really gorgeous 1940 Plymouth P10 Staff Car. I’ve always wanted a Staff Car!

So now let’s kick it off with all the Jeeps! In total, we had TWENTY Jeeps attend this year’s event! I tried my best to get the info on each one, but I missed the DOD (Date of Delivery) on a few of them. One of the many Jeeps in the reenactor camp, here’s a USMC 1942 GPW Jeep. Really cool water-cooled .30 Cal mounted on it.

Another vehicle in the camp, a 1942 GPW Jeep as well in 82nd Airborne Military Police markings.

In the courtyard, we had the only Slat Grille Jeep… a 1942 Willys MB. It also came with a trailer. It is marked as 2nd Armed Division.

Next, we have another 1942 Willys MB, this time with the stamped grille.

I wasn’t able to figure out the year of this Willys MB Jeep, but it is marked as 8th Air Force Heavy Weapons and Headquarters.

Another Jeep I didn’t catch the year, and I have to admit I’m not quite familiar with the markings on this one either. It is also a Willys MB.

Also a Saturday-only vehicle, this nice USMC 1944 Willys MB Jeep.

We had a 2nd Armored 1944 Willys MB with .50 Cal mounted and a Thompson in the rifle rack.

My Jeep was only on display in the courtyard on Sunday after a series of major issues on Friday and Saturday at the event (which I’ll explain in another post coming soon). Of course, my Jeep is a 1944 GPW Jeep in 8th Air Force, 95th Bomb Group markings.

Back at the camp, we had a 1943 Willys MB in 82nd Airborne markings. It had a .30 cal gun mounted and an interesting mounting of the rifle rack on the machine gun pedestal.

Another 82nd Airborne Jeep in the camp, this one a 1943 Willys MB as well with Military Police markings.

We had a 1943 GPW Jeep named ‘Darcie’ in what I believe is 41st Armored Division with a trailer.

Back in the camp, we had a very patinaed USMC 1943 GPW Jeep.

We had a very loaded-up 1943 GPW Jeep in First Army, 702nd Tank Destroyer markings.

I completely forgot to take photos of this Jeep from the front, but it is the museum’s 1943 GPW. It was being used as a ‘sacrificial’ Jeep that the guests could climb in and take photos. The idea being that then they might not try to get in the privately owned Jeeps on the display. It worked out really well. This Jeep will eventually be in USAAF markings as it will be parked next to our B-17G Flying Fortress out front. Thus also why it has two bomb trailers.

At the camp, we had this awesome British 1943 GPW Jeep. A unique paint job and variations from the standard US Army Jeeps.

Another Jeep at the camp, this time a 1945 Willys MB named ‘Doc’. It was part of a first aid/medical reenactor display.

We had this 1945 Willys MB Jeep in 2nd Armored markings.

On Sunday only, we had this unmarked 1945 GPW Jeep.

Moving away from World War 2, we pulled out the museum’s 1952 M38.

This spectacular 1953 M38A1 in US Air Force colors marked as Strategic Air Command was there in the courtyard. Great looking M38!

We had another 1953 M38A1 in USMC colors as well.

Over by the reenactor camp, we set aside a large area for the Southern California Military Vehicle Collectors Club who brought out a huge assortment of vehicles spanning World War 2 to almost modern day!

They had several Vietnam-era vehicles as well.

And they brought out some of the heaviest (minus our tank) vehicles in attendance at the event. We had a Vietnam-era camp set up with them as well.

So let’s kick off the vehicles the Southern California Military Vehicle Collectors Club (SCMVCC) vehicles! There was only one vehicle that I missed, sadly, on Sunday. But here’s the rest of them starting with this Third Army 1942 GPW Jeep. With the four stars, I would assume this is modeled after a Jeep General Patton might ride in.

They had a large 1942 Chevrolet G506 1 and 1/2 ton truck.

Moving on to a 1965 Kaiser M35A2 2 and 1/2 ton truck.

A 1967 AM General M52A2 5 ton truck!

A 1970 Ford M151A2 with 1966 Stevens M416 Trailer.

1970 AM General M35A3 2 and 1/2 ton truck with1986 M101A2 Trailer (not visible).

A 1971 AM General M151A2 with M416 Trailer.

A cold-war era 1986 Chevy M1009 CUCV with M416 Trailer (not visible).

Another 1986 Chevy M1009 CUCV.

This huge Desert Storm era 1990 BMY M923A2 5 ton with 1986 M105A2 Trailer (not visible). The owner was telling me how when he was sanding the doors and hood, he found the black upside-down V markings indicating it was part of the invasion during Desert Storm!

And, to wrap up the vehicles, we had the museum’s M4A1 Sherman Tank.

Speaking of the tank, one of the highlights for the guests was being able to go up and take a peak inside the tank. There was always a line of people waiting to check it out!

Saturday night into Sunday we had a very brief unusual rainstorm pass through that dumped some water on everything. But the sun quickly came out and dried everything up. This photo was before I repositioned the vehicles for Sunday’s event.

We lost several vehicles (and gained two including my Jeep, which is center in this photo) from Saturday to Sunday, but I was able to space out the gaps a bit more and still made it look good in the courtyard.

I was happy to finally have my Jeep on display, the major issues finally fixed and she was running again (more on that in a future blog post).

It took a while for the crowds to show up on Sunday, typical as most people sleep in or go to church in the morning, but later on in the day they started to come out in large numbers. We also think the rain might have scared some away as everywhere BUT Chino still had rain clouds!

Between the Russian GAU and the sacrificial photo Jeep, you can see the huge crowds checking out the SoCal Tiny Tanks RC group.

I’m happy with all the vehicles that made it out this year, and I really hope they come back again for 2025! If YOU want to be a part of next year’s event with your vehicle or perhaps you want to come out to the event, mark your calendar for May 3-4, 2025 to be at ‘Wings, Tracks’ and Wheels’ at Chino Airport!

And a big shout out to the Planes of Fame Air Museum motorpool and tank crew for all their incredibly hard work! The tank demo was one of the largest highlights of the entire event, and we’re already thinking of ways we can make it even bigger next year!

So that concludes this long look at the 2024 ‘Wings, Tracks, and Wheels’ event! I leave you with this photo of my Jeep, pushed to the side of the road on the first day of the event out of commission due to several major failures that happened. While I did get them fixed, as mentioned, it was a struggle. They included a blown-up spark plug, several issues with the PowerGen alternator, carb adjustments, and more.
But before I get to that, look for another update THIS FRIDAY from my adventures in Normandy two weeks ago during the 80th Anniversary of D-Day! Once I get through the two updates about that, I’ll return to talk about the issues with my Jeep and what I did to fix them. Till the next update…