This May 10, 1951, article in the Abilene Reporter-News shows a newly acquired MB/GPW hoisting a circus tent for the Gainesville Community Circus. The jeep was modified to drive stakes, pull stakes, and hoist canvas. Though the circus had been active since the 1930s, this May event was the first time the circus had travelled outside the Gainesville, Texas, area, according to the article at the bottom of the post. Three years later, in 1954, the circus was destroyed by fire.
Six months earlier, this November 11, 1950, article appeared in Billboard Magazine:
Dave, speaking of Circus, you posted a interesting link on 1/3/13, with three pictures. Number 3 (first one seen) is my favorite picture, for the longest time, I used it as a desk top on my computer. I named her Bella, my heart still throbs for her.
http://digital.library.illinoisstate.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/circus/id/1166/rec/4
Mike … that’s great!